The REAL, REAL question is: <BR> <BR>Jackie darling, who did YOU make a trip to this lovely forum to ask such a question? Of course, I'm replying, but since you began it, I'm just wondering too. All you talk about is how women only talk about shopping. What do you like to talk about? what people think about other women who only talk about shopping? roflmao!

I stopped by Fodor's again to check out something on a state we are going to in August and I saw how many posts my question had generated, so I read them all just now. The last person asked what I like to talk about and someone else asked what I did on vacations if it wasn't shopping. So to answer you both; my degrees are in history with a minor in Spanish and my husband has a BA in art so we spend much of our time in art or historical museums, and we spend a lot of our dinner conversations talking about these subjects. We often stay in B&Bs so we also converse on subjects such as these with the other guests. Sometimes some of them speak Spanish, so then I talk to them in Spanish about their interests (hopefully not shopping). Current world events are also a big subject with us as well as music as we are both in the church choir and attend many concerts as well. To me all of this is far more interesting than shopping, and I really still don't get what the attraction is to spending your vacation buying things you have no need for.

Jackie, I can't believe you went to the trouble of posting, reading and reposting if you didn't want to at least TRY to figure out an "answer" to your "question." Saying you still "don't get it" is clear indication that you just wanted to make a point of opinion, not gain insight -- you never wanted to get it and, as many suspected, you just wanted to announce your superiority on your own scale of value. <BR> <BR>Don't you think there are many people who could have seen it 180 degrees the other way: what's the point of spending all that time and money on a trip if you don't have something concrete to show for it? You can't take eating and conversation to the bank, and once you're home, you'll have nothing to remind you of the fun you had -- just your memories which, I assure you, will fade as time goes on. <BR> <BR>That's not my personal philosophy, but you could have at least made the effort to consider and understand the honest answers from those who have their fun in a different way -- the hunter-gatherers who are on treasure hunts or the memory-capturers who like to surround themselves with visible symbols of their experiences, among others. <BR> <BR>

Jackie, how do you know if I have a need for the things I buy? Please, do tell your secret.

Well said, prc, and you were far kinder to her than I could have been! <BR> <BR>I am not a flamer, and truly dislike confrontational posts, but I’ve got to get this off my chest. Jackie, in the 10 years or so I've been on the Internet and involved in BBs, your last post was without a doubt the most arrogant, officious and pompous I've ever read. God forbid we ever end up in the same B&B together! Of course with your superior refinement, that probably could not happen. <BR> <BR>I thought they taught you Sooners better than that!

I buy things on vacation then save them to give as birthday or Christmas gifts. Kids especially like the idea that a certain shirt or toy or hat came from another country.

So anyway ---- What sort of souvenir - art object maybe - is the best to bring back from Alaska? If you can only purchase one?

When I lived in NY I vacationed in Maine every summer. From there, we would always make the short drive to NH to load up the car with TAX-FREE purchases... anything from personal items to Christmas gifts for family. <BR>Despite saving lots of money, I guess my mistake was that i did this on--God save me--vacation!

In Alaska..look for Eskimo art...

Jackie, no comas tanta mierda por favor.

I can't believe Jackie goes on vacation to talk to people about things she could discuss at home. How boring.

Wow, this thread is amazing - all this about shopping! I simply cannot believe that people can get so worked up over what others like to do on their holidays LOL. <BR> <BR>You don't have to shop with them - surely that leaves more room on the beaches and in the museums and churches for the rest of you - and it's not your money their spending - SO WHO CARES!! <BR> <BR>Personally, I can't understand why anyone would want to visit every single church in England but they do and I would never criticise someone for doing it - I just choose not to do it myself. <BR> <BR>We're all different (thank God!) and the world would be a terribly boring place if we all did exactly the same thing. Get over it and enjoy your own holidays instead of worrying about what everyone else is doing. <BR>

Jackie, <BR> <BR>You're exhibiting all the classic symptoms of...Repressed Shopaholic Syndrome! <BR>Also seems to me that for someone who enjoyed those boat trips and nice B&B's, you spent an awful lot of time eavesdropping and counting other people's luggage.

Jackie, <BR>Do you really 'need' to go to museums? Do you really 'need' to discuss history? Do you really 'need' to go on trips at all? NEED is very subjective. Try not to be so ignorant and judgemental. You're giving Oakies a bad name.

Jackie, <BR>You let me down. I and others came to the defense of your original post. After reading all of what was written you have now felt the need to clarify that your original post was indeed written from the perspective of one who is apparently quite arrogant. Your question was not written with any hope of getting an answer, merely as a way of proclaiming your superiority to the shopping masses. Honestly you should be happy that all of these people shop and do not converse with you on these topics. If that were the case then you would have to go back for another degree to once again achieve your lofty status.

I am one of those people who LOVE TO SHOP!!! Not only do I plan my trips taking into consideration: nice locations, things to do, exchange rates for the dollar, relaxation, entertainment, etc but a big part is the shopping deals I can get during by trips. The best deal is to get something which I have been looking for and find somewhere else where it cost nearly 50% off or more. <BR>Another great feeling is to go to another country and look at all the different arts and crafts that are handmade and purchase something not found in the states. Creative items made by hand are very much appreciated and can be quite beautiful. Not only am I enjoying and exploring and getting to know a new location but I am getting good deals as well. If anyone can recommend a good location to travel to where shopping is excellent and I can have a great time as well.....E-MAIL ME ANYTIME!

Dear Jackie, <BR> These people shop for vacation because they are rather dull people. The same people watch Oprah, Kathie Lee Gifford and Rosie O'Donnell. They are products of an affluent, but culturally peurile and often barbaric society. <BR> Please continue to be, as some of your critics call you, "judgemental". As Plato or Aristotle once wrote, "the unexamined life is not worth living." Americans need to be more judgemental and not less. <BR> By the way, good post and very nice name.

I shop and get my haircut, do my nails, read novels, (fill in the blank with some other "mindless" task) when I'm on vacation BECAUSE I HAVE THE TIME! Think about it, someone else is cooking the meals, claeaning the house, making the bed. My time is free for the indulgences. Vacation is about indulgences. More power to them.

Oh pullease, Jack, who gilded your jockey shorts? Put away your thesaurus and at least check the spelling next time you pull it out. Puerile (note spelling) refers to boyishness, which I don't usually associate with shopping, although I'll admit I've seen a few affluent barbarians at sales at Needless Markup. And when Americans lean toward criticism, they are "judgmental" -- it's only the British who insist on that E after the G. <BR> <BR>Even you should be discriminating enough, being such an undull person, to acknowledge that there's shopping and then there's shopping. K-Mart is one thing, a winery in Bordeaux is another. <BR>I got just as irritated at a traveling companion who insisted on spending 20 minutes before every single pre-Renaissance triptych in every last museum we went to as I have with one who dragged me into store after store in search of the perfect Christmas gifts for relatives -- and the first was a woman while the second was a man. <BR> <BR>How do you even know about Rosie O'Donnell?

I am surprised at the ferocity of some of these comments. We're talking shopping here, not mass murder. <BR> <BR>My husband and I spend about a month each year in Europe (usually France). One of our favorite liesure activities is to visit small town flea markets. Lots of places off the beaten track have them. It is fun to bargain in a different language and to talk to regular people. It's fun. It's cheap. Sometimes we find remarkable things.