Shopping isn’t really my thing. Well, I don’t mind buying things, but then I know what I want or need long before I go into the shop. Let me tell you a story to explain my point of view: I was in Cape Cod in Massachusetts once. It was in the autumn and out of the seasons for this summer town. In the morning I went to the reception and asked what to do when I wanted to explore the area. She said: “You might go shopping!!!” Ehhhhh – do you get me?
So when my friend TorAa and his wife were with us to Mariestad, Sweden, last weekend of course, we went down town on Saturday. The wives went shopping and we had fun:
Update: RennyBA playing with Lego and stuff:-)
Above you see an excellent example from a woman’s wear shop. I found a toy box full of Lego and stuff and started a serious construction project. As you can see, Tor was amazed and impressed by my hammering skills. The clerk and the customers didn’t even seem to notice us in all their busy shopping activity :-)
As you can tell, we where polite and followed our wives in most of the shops and had a lot of fun talking to the staff about Christmas, the lack of snow and other subjects. In one shop they impressed me with having a sewing machine for adjusting the length of the jeans. The clerk willingly offered to demonstrate her skills.
Besides fooling around, talking to people, enjoying our company and having serious talks with the staff, we tried to get the in Christmas spirit as well. In spite of missing the snow – it should be snow this time of year but the whole Europe is experiencing the mildest winter season for hundreds of years – we succeeded somehow. Santa was in the video store and a Christmas billy goat was placed in the town square (Swedish tradition).
We also had fun posing beside two of the traditional wooden sculptures in Mariestad which gave some Christmas spirit. You might also ask: Did I buy something? Yes! I needed a couple of t-shirts. So I went to the men’s wear and bought them – took me 5 minutes:-) and I even got a 10% discount LoL!
One more thing: I’ve met a new blog friend from Sweden: Mrs. Lifecruiser. She runs a ‘Crack me up Friday’ party tonight and I do hope this post qualifies. Take a look at her post and vote for the sake of Friday craziness!
YOU CRACK ME UP – but also made me very very curious of the Lego creation – but no pic of it :-O ! Man, what a disappointment. I’m sure it was something you had to put censorship of, why would you withhold us such important information? *lol*
So, no dressing up for the party?
That Lego box in a woman’s shop is so witty. Love the idea! I used to play with my Lego when I was a little boy. :-) And talking about cutting the hem, do you know any cheap place in Oslo where I could have my jeans adjusted? I just cut the hem off with a pair of scissors and it doesn’t look so nice. Hehehe.
Looks pretty much typical of American men while their women are shopping. Boys and their toys, LOL. ;D
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas here, but it’s unseasonably warm, so no snow here either, Renny. :-( I hope it gets cold and snows for Christmas, both here and in your part of the world.
Merry Christmas, Renny, Diane and Family! :-)
I still don’t have a clue what that is… Then, i haven’t played with LEGO for many years :-)
The dressing up is optional, but is also very fun…
oh i have to say i still enjoy lego. the engineering on some of the projects is just amazing! we are having a very mild winter here too. we’ve gone without coats many days this month and normally we’d be well below freezing.
Now shopping is something I love! We have Legoland here in California. I think I’ve read that there is one in Denmark, too???
:)
Sounds like you made the best of it. I’m not much of a shopper either. I’d much rather be exploring.
You are a brave husband ! Mr. Gattino never goes shopping unless he needs something for his computer. He hates it so I prefer to go alone, otherwise he gets too much on my nerves ! Even a T-shirt he wouldn’t buy, because I know his size. He only would come when he needs shoes !
@Mrs Lifecruise: Thanks for taking me into your loop!
Well, if you look in the box in front of me in the first pic, there is Lego in it:-)
@Mark: Lego is fun yea! I don’t know about that in Oslo – sorry!
@Diane: Typical men all over I guess:-) Let’s hope for white Christmas all over! Marry Christmas to you and family too Diane!
@Mrs Lifecruiser: You should play more – it’s an adult fun thing too you know!
@Lime: Good to know I’m not the only one LoL!
@Sue: Ohh yes, Lego comes from Denmark you know!
@Teena: That’s what I love too – exploring!
@Gattina: Well, I know my size or at least I get the idea in the changing room:-)
good job boys!
Whenever I go shopping I try not to bring my husband because I can always see his stoic/bored look when we go into shops ;)
hey man,
that’s a scene that’s played out all over the world. They should open up a special section for waiting men.
Hey, get all your blog friends to come & vote on my new “holiday tolerance” poll on my site.
Much obliged, your Yankee friend, Bud
I love it, Renny. All of it! :)
Shopping is my passion hehehe. Sometimes I needed a leash to control myself. Sales always make me go crazy lol. hehehe. Anyway, I am happy to know you had a nice time in Sweden.
Have a nice weekend to you and your family Renny!
Looks like you are perfect company for your wives – carrying the credit card and all the parcels I suppose :-)
I have been in Trondheim Christmas shopping today, but without dh – he was at Røros again ice skating, and stuck in traffic on his way home because of a car accident…..Back home safe now though.
@Duke: Why do I have the feeling of that you and my wife is feeling the same?
@DMunro: We don’t need a special section – we just don’t need to go in:-)
@Ginnie: Thanks!
@Charles: I know course I was running after you shopping in Oslo once:-)
@Britt-Arnhild: We both acted like perfect gentlemen yes and our credit cards are bounded Lol!
Your shopping sounds great – I’ll have to check.
I like that. I was getting comments from your blogger pal, saying they were in Sweden with you.
I had a little talk with Santa. We had snow here and all….
I told Santa that RennyBa needs some in Norway.
I made a deal with him.
On the day he delivers my posted snow to you Norway will get snow.
Keep watching the mail, keep watching the sky.
BTW-it is back to Norway weather here now cuz I mailed our snow to you!
What a fabulous idea of lego for the person who accompanies the lead shopper. Hope that catches on.
I think both your wives certainly appreciate your company :D
I always find it guilty when I shop. You know, you’ve taken a hard time saving your money for some stuff and after buying it, you’ll suddenly think “Man, I shouldn’t have bought this thing.” It gives me the creeps.
I seldom shop. If i have exta money, I buy a cap or a new book to read.
I love shopping and it doesn’t always have to be for me! What did your wives buy?!! What do tourists usually buy to take home with them? (What good buys is Norway noted for?)
wow – now that looked like a lot of shopping. How did you even manage to tag along for so long? P and I don’t like shopping much either. I guess that’s why we are a great match…
MY question: When in Sweden, what language do you speak to others? Swedish? English?
And yes the mild weather there has made for crazy weather here!
Renny, yes we had fun while our wifes went shopping.
PS. Still difficulties posting comments.
@Lynn: Thanks for the good thoughts and the talk with Santa:-)
Thanks also for your lovely mail and Christmas decoration!
@Pearl: Maybe it’ll become a Christmas shopping men tradition!
@Shionge: LoL, yes they did!
@Estupidormitorian Neil: Your so considerate Neil – I do understand your feeling.
@MotherOfInvention: They bought Christmas gift – took the advantages of having a day off for shopping:-)
Nothing special to buy from Sweden for a Norwegian although food, vine/liqueur and tobacco is cheaper due to less tax.
In Norway you should buy hand craft – see my Advent post!
@ET: Both Swedish, Danish and Norwegian is very close in language too, so we understand each other pretty well.
@TorAa: We sure had!
My son absolutely enjoys playing with LEGOs. We should have you over so you can play with him :). Glad you enjoyed the day with friends – and kudos to you and Tora for going with your wife shopping – major love points! :)
:) Liza
haha!The first pic really amused me!
You and Toraa playing while your wife were shopping :D
nice hubbies!!
Wow, Christmas is just around the corner! I should just keep the decorations up year round.
RennyBA
Hey, stop – one season at the time – lets enjoy autumn first :-)