I Can't Help Myself

My husband and I were walking through a store the other day. I was glancing at all the different displays of clothing, jewelry, housewares, bath and body lotions and potions,..you name it! As I walked by each counter or display I would make a comment. "Oh, that's a cute sweater." or "Those towels would look nice in the boy's bathroom." That kind of thing. Now, had I been shopping by myself, I would have thought these things, I just wouldn't have said them out loud. (I haven't quite gotten to the crazy stage of talking out loud to myself in public) However, since my husband was with me, I said these things, as a way of making conversation and to see if he agreed with my assessment of these items. (Well, maybe to see if he'd spring for the sweater that I thought was cute, too,..but he didn't!) Anyway,..after a few of these casual comments he turned to me and said, "Do you honestly evaluate every single thing that you see? Can't you just walk through the store, ignore all of the stuff you aren't here to buy, and get to what we are here for?" (Huh?) *blink-blink* "What do you mean?" I asked. "Let's just get the card and gift bag that we came for and get out of here." he said. Hmmm. I thought about this for a moment. "Well, it's not as if I'm going to buy them all, you know." I say a little defensively. "Good!" was his response. He laughed. I rolled my eyes. "You're no fun!" I replied. "If this is what you consider fun, I'd hate to see what you find boring!" he retorted. (Oh, he is so NOT funny!) And, the correct response to that statement should have been "Nascar", however, I didn't think of it until afterwards when we were driving home. (Where's my razor sharp wit when I need it?!) Dang!

So, here is my question to you. Do you walk directly into a store, making a beeline for the item(s) which you plan to purchase? Or, do you glance, touch, and notice other items along the way to the item you plan to purchase? Also, do you end up buying other things which you hadn't planned on, or do you stick to the list at hand? I'm purely curious, there is no right or wrong answer here, just wondering if I'm alone in my shopping spectator sport, or if I have some company. I actually do a little of both, if I'm being perfectly honest. I don't buy everything I see or admire, however, I have been known to walk out of the store with a few extra items I hadn't planned on purchasing. I can't help myself!