CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

James and I are going to the Metro Centre later this morning to do some serious Christmas shopping.
I'm really looking forward to this, so long as everyone else in the North east hasn't had the same idea. One thing I cannot bear is having to push and shove my way through crowds of dawdling shoppers.
I tend to be ruthless when it comes to shopping. I know in advance what I'm looking for, where I'm going to get it and like to get it over and done with as quickly as possible. I've never been someone who enjoys just looking round or 'window shopping'. Where is the pleasure in window shopping anyway - I've never understood that concept!
This approach has served me well for years. It applies to all types of shopping, even clothes. Charles finds it difficult to understand, but I know straightaway what is going to look right and very rarely bother trying things on. This drives him mad!!!! When I go shopping with him, the whole thing takes at least twice as long because he insists on me looking around before making my mind up and has been known on many occasions, once he has persuaded me to try stuff on, to send armfuls of alternatives into the changing room ,with the result that I'm in there so long, that some shop assistants have offered me coffee and cakes while I'm in there!!!! ('We don't want you passing out from hunger!')
Don't get me wrong. I think it's lovely that he takes such an interest and is such a patient shopper - it's just that I'm NOT PATIENT AT ALL!