1. Types of shops
Where do you go when you need…?
Try to give the name of the place. If necessary, have a look below.
1. a bunch of flowers…
2. a hammer, some nails, a screwdriver…
3. a ring, a watch, a necklace…
4. a table, chairs, a wardrobe…
5. a teddy bear, a doll, blocks…
6. birthday cards, Christmas cards, Valentine cards …
7. boots, sandals, Wellingtons…
8. bread, rolls, cakes…
9. cigarettes, cigars, matches, lighters…
10. fish, seafood…
11. fruit and vegetables…
12. meat, ham, sausages…
13. medicines, cream, ointment…
14. newspapers, magazines…
15. to have your clothes cleaned…
16. to have your hair cut/done… (men)
17. to have your hair cut/done… (women)
18. to send a letter or buy a stamp…
19. to take money, cash a cheque …
20. wine, vodka, whiskey…
bank
jeweller’s
newsagent’s
chemist’s
toy shop
fishmonger’s
baker’s
florist’s
shoe shop
ironmonger’s
barber’s
post office
dry cleaner’s
tobacconist’s
hairdresser’s
furniture shop
greengrocer’scard shop
off-licence
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butcher’s
Look at your labels
Item
Origin

2. Consumer Criteria
What do you conside before you decide what to buy?
Price?
How it looks?
The quality?
The brand? Anything else?
A pair of trainers
A pair of jeans
A bar of
chocolate
?
Most important factor
2nd most important
factor
3rd most important
factor
Consumer Quandary Cards
You have a favourite brand of trainers that you
love. You have asked your parents for a pair of
these trainers for your birthday present. Last night
you saw a documentary on the television that
showed where this brand of trainers are made and
you saw that they are made in huge factories by
children who have to work 14 hours per day and
are treated badly. What do you do? Do you still
want a pair of these trainers for your birthday?
Every week you go to a hamburger restaurant with
your friends. One of your friends has now decided
not to go because he thinks the way the
hamburgers are produced is unethical. He say that
they cut down trees from the rainforest to make
space to keep cows, the workers have lots of
accidents as they have to work very long hours and
the pay is ridiculously low. He asks you to stop
going there. What do you do? Do you join your
friend and boycott the hamburger restaurant? Do
you still go but eat something else? Do you turn
vegetarian?
You love chocolate and have a favourite chocolate
bar that you eat quite often. You just looked on the
internet and saw an article about the company that
makes your favourite chocolate bar. It declared that
they pay very little to the workers who produce the
cocoa in South America. In some cases the
producers can’t survive and their families are
suffering. What do you do? Do you decide the
article isn’t true and try to forget you saw it? Do
you
write a letter to the company? Do you stop buying
the chocolate bar?
Write another quandary here:
Discussion points:
1. Shopaholics are addicted to shopping. It’s problem just as serious as alcoholism
2. Compulsive shopping is an addiction. There should be therapy and support groups to help.
3. Compulsive shopping is a medical condition. Insurance should help pay for treatmnet.
4. Shopaholics greatly help the economy.

3. The article: Men Suffer From Compulsive Shopping Too
A recent survey has found that one in 20 American adults buy things they may not even want or never
need or use. In today’s world of consumerism, where we are constantly bombarded by ads, this is
perhaps not surprising. What may raise an eyebrow or two is a further finding in the study that men are
just as likely as women to suffer from “compulsive buying”. Gone seem to be the days when women
dragged their bored and fed-up-looking men around shopping malls. The new research from Stanford
University has revealed that men are now just as avid and compulsive shoppers as their female
counterparts. Researcher Dr Lorrin Koram said that the numbers of men who indulge in unnecessary
shopping sprees has rocketed: "That's the biggest surprise -- men engage in this behavior almost as
commonly as women," he said.
This finding runs counter to the conventional and rather stereotyped view that compulsive buying is very
much a "woman's disease." Dr. Koram said trends and figures may have been unfairly skewed as male
obsessive shoppers used to be more reluctant than women to recognize that they have a problem and then
come forward and admit it. He pointed out that: "Generally, in psychiatry, men seek care less often than
women…It's not 'manly' to seek help." And help seems to be exactly what the doctor ordered for any
compulsive shopper, who is usually not made any happier by his or her relentless buying. Dr Koram
warned: "It's always important to encourage people who have these types of disorders to seek treatment."
Many find themselves laden with debt and filled with shame and suicidal tendencies as they attempt to
hide their addiction.
Additional texts on the topic
Are You a Shopaholic?
The lives of some people revolve around shopping, as they repeatedly make purchases regardless of need
or available money. Some of these people make impromptu purchases. Some of these people have closets
with unopened purchases. Some of these people have racked up overwhelming amounts of credit card
debt. If this sounds like you, then you may be a shopaholic.
A recently administered test to determine the predilection towards compulsive buying reveals that 9% of
people fall into this category. Another recent test revealed a slightly smaller percentage of 6%. This new
data concludes an increase in the number of shopaholics from just fifteen years ago, as well as determines
that men remain just as prone to the shopping urge as women. The test consisted of six statements which
people answered on a 7-point scale, from strongly agree to strongly disagree. Some statements included:
• Much of my life centers around buying things.
• I buy things I didn't plan to buy.
• Others might consider me a shopaholic.
Compulsive buying obviously leads to financial problems such as an empty bank account and maxed out
credit cards. Yet these unneeded and unwanted purchases may be the manifestation of more serious
problems, namely depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. What's more, relationships and family
harmony also deteriorate because of disagreements over the purchases. Shopaholics may then hide their
purchases, as well as the accompanying costs, and thus add to the strain. It's a problem that affects people
of all income brackets.

4. Researchers suggest that shopaholics felt better when they were shopping, even when they realized the
associated harm.
Hooked on Shopping
Lourdes Joza from Ecuador
Lourdes Joza writes about shopaholics people who are addicted to shopping. She addresses the
question, "Why do they have this addiction."
Over the years, shopping has become a very common activity. Many people
enjoy going to malls or stores more and more everyday, but it's more than a
common hobby for some of them. They have turned into shopaholics. They
are people who simply enjoy shopping and walking around spending money
without being able to stop doing it.
Shopaholics, also called compulsive spenders, are people like any addicted
people who are hooked on something. They are hooked on shopping. They
really like shopping and usually buy things that they don't need. Even though
they don't have enough money, they buy everything they want.
Photo: T. Peters
They really like
shopping
and
usually buy things
that they don't need.
The question is: why do they have this addiction? There isn't a specific
answer. Some people go shopping when they are sad, worried, upset or lonely
and they want to feel better. They use this activity as a way to forget their
problems. Shopholics say that they feel more important and better after they
buy something.
They also tend to have this addiction when they feel guilty. For example, a
husband might buy very expensive presents for his family to try to make up
for his lack of love for them.
We are used to thinking that women enjoy shopping more than men; but according to some studies, that's
not true. Men really like shopping because they feel they have power and control. They get whatever they
want. Also, men usually buy big items while women spend their money on clothes, cosmetics,
decorations for their houses, or things for family.
Shopaholism seems to be a harmless addiction, but the fact is it can cause many problems. Some of them
can be psychological; and in that case, people addicted to shopping should go to a support group or learn
about behavior therapies to help them break this habit. However, the process, like for most addictions, is
long, and they suffer a lot. It can also cause financial problems.
I think these are very harmful because they don't even worry if they have enough money to afford what
they want. They just think about satisfying their feelings, so they spend money they don't have. They get
deep in debt, and they can even go bankrupt and get sent to jail.
In conclusion, if you are a person who enjoys shopping, be careful. Try to control yourself. The power of
the mind is great, and if you make a few efforts, you will be able to avoid this addiction. Next time you
go shopping, stop a second and think about it. Examine your shopping habits. Later might be too late.

5. Are you a compulsive shopper?
Choose the answer that suits you best. Count the score and check the results.
1 When you get disappointed, angry or scared, do you shop to improve your mood?
a) Always
b) Sometimes
c) Never
2 When you haven’t bought anything for quite a long time, do you:
a) have problems to resist the urge to buy anything?
b) feel like going shopping next free afternoon?
c) think it’s normal?
3 Have you ever argued with anybody because of your shopping?
a) Yes, my family and friends tend to be too nosy when it comes to my shopping.
b) Yes, it has happened but it was rather a joke.
c) No, never.
4 Have you ever felt lost without a credit card?
a) Yes, many times.
b) Yes, it has happened once or twice.
c) No, never.
5 Do you feel a rush of euphoria and anxiety when spending money?
a) Yes, always.
b) Yes, if I’m buying something I’ve been waiting for.
c) No, I don’t think I have ever felt it.
6 Have you ever felt guilty, ashamed, embarrassed or confused after shopping or spending money?
a) Yes, it happens to me quite often.
b) Yes, a few times in my life.
c) No, never.
7 Have you ever lied about things you’ve purchased or money you’ve spent?
a) Yes, I must do it very often.
b) Yes, it has happened a few times.
c) No, why should I?
8 Do you spend a lot of time juggling accounts or bills to accommodate spending?
a) Yes, I need to do it to survive.
b) Yes, quite a few times – I earn too little.
c) No, I always control my spending.
Give yourself 2 points for each a, 1 point for each b and 0 points for each c. Count the score and read the
result.
0-5
You don’t seem to have a problem. You do the shopping when it’s necessary or when you really want
something. It may have happened that you’ve spent a bit too much but who hasn’t?
6-10
You do like shopping but you try to control it. When it’s getting out of hand and you are late with your
bills, you say stop and take a break. But be careful! One day your little hobby may become an obsession
and you’ll lose control.
11-16
You may have a serious problem with shopping. Do not neglect it. Shopaholism is an addiction which can
be treated. You should consult a specialist. By the way, who pays your bills?

6. Likes
&
Dislikes
Summarize your five most important likes and dislikes about shopping:
Things I really like:
Things that are ok:
1.
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
4.
4.
5.
5.
Things I dislike:
Things I hate:
1.
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
4.
4.
5.
5.