"Oniomania is another word for the urge to shop till you drop, habit of the debit, thrill of the bill. According to a pearl of ancient wisdom, we don't acquire things, things acquire us. In the case of oniomaniacs, it is perhaps the fun of acquiring things that acquires them."
This definition came to me from Wordsmith, an online "word-of-the-day" subscription service.
I didn't know there was a "formal" word for non-stop shopping until I read this. I have had a few friends who were guilty of it - and I have been known to burn up a credit card or two - but not for many years. Shopping is fun as long as you have the money to pay for your purchases, but sooner or later you realize that buying things does not automatically purchase happiness. Take children for example; I watched two of my granddaughters flit from shelf to shelf in a store at Downtown Disney. They wanted everything, and could not make a decision until they were forced to by lack of time. I am fairly certain that the items they purchased will bore them almost immediately.
Speaking of the ridiculous: there is an area in the Disney Store called the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. I would have shown the brochure if my scanner hadn't died. Here is the copy on it:
"The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is dedicated to every True Princess who ever dreamed her sneakers were glass slippers and to girls who believe it's better to twirl than walk, sing than talk and that everything goes better with sparkles. For now, she wants her own Fairy Godmother, a little sprinkling of fairy dust, and the glamourous attention every Real Disney Princess deserves. You supply the dream and we'll suply the style and magic to help you make your fairy-tale dreams come true.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Menu of Services~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Coach Makeover......$35.00 Choice of one hair style and makeup.
Crown Makeover......$45.00 Choice of one hair style, makeup, and nails.
Castle Makeover......Starting at $175.00......Crown makeover, plus your choice of child's Princess costume with accessories and a Princess Photo Shoot including an imaging package. Guests must be at least 3 years of age. All prices are before tax and subject to change.........."
Am I wrong? Or am I just a tightwad? I cannot imagine spending that much money on a child of 3-4-5, or even 10, for something that may last 3 hours. You wouldn't believe how many children we saw come out of that salon with full costume, hair, make-up and nails; even some as young as three. There was even one family with two little girls who had the full treatment. That's $350 minimum, people, without tax! It boggles my mind, especially since the parents didn't look as though they came by the money easily. I know it is wrong to judge them (and they could be independently wealthy) but at that indulgence rate - they won't have much left for college, will they?
17 comments:
When I read something like this it bothers me. Parents spend so much money on their kids, they give them EVERYTHING.
What I wonder about is when the kids get a little older, what is going to make them happy. They have already had all the things it took a lifetime for us elders to earn by a lot of hard work.
And that doesn't even count the teenage girls getting boob jobs from their parents for birthdays and graduations.
Ugh. I have a five year old and can't understand things like this. We consider it a big day if we hit Big Lots and purchase cheap/bad makeup for "Home Makeover - Princess Edition". We spend $5 tops (including 'gourmet' koolaid to put into tea cups) - and make a day out of it. But $175? Ick.
I wonder what person thinks up these things that they KNOW will appeal heavily to these young kids and they also know they can charge almost anything the traffic will bear...That place is obviously a cash cow....Greed Rears It's Ugly Head..."Mommy, I have to have that!!!" Right?
No, honey, you are not a tightwad, you are a woman with common sense. That kind of thing just makes me crazy. Is that really the kind of message we want to be sending to our girls?
I'm enjoying reading about your trip! I'm here via Michele today, but you know I visit anyway.
You are neither wrong, nor a tightwad. They have taught these two to whine and to plead for foolish things. The four are a matched set.
Ha, I'm not the only one with a princess.
You are right - parents give their children too much these days. As I watch my room mates two daughters and their children I wonder who they are buying the toys for themselves or the children.
I used to shop when I was upset till one day it hit me that I wanted to spend some money because something had upset me.
Things do acquire us. I wouldn't want to lose what I have now but when I had to walk away from a twenty year marriage with nothing I felt so free.
College? Shoot, that's WAY down the road! Carpe Diem. Spend today like there's no tomorrow, cause there might not be!
(And if there is, we'll get the government to bail us out! Right?)
As you can tell, you've hit one of my hot buttons. Wait till the little princess goes to high school and wants to go to the Junior or Senior Prom in full formal attire with a chauffered limo and a gourmet restaurant meal first.
Whatever happend to "Waste not, want not?"
John
My one dizzy thought of the day: It is indeed better to twirl than to walk.
Who am I kidding? I hve many dizzy thoughts each day. However, I will stand (or rather spin) by the statement that it is better to twirl than walk.
Can't they just play beauty parlor at home?
When on vacation, people like to splurge. I think it's one of theo joys of vacation. You have to pay the piper later, though.
That cartoon above is sadly, funny. The truth hurts!
Gas prices... ouch!
I remember how powerful those draws were when we went. I set aside one evening for any shopping and only at the end of the trip so Nyssa could have time to decide on something she really, really wanted. She decided on a couple of silver charms for her bracelet and a Figment stuffed animal. I thought those were pretty wise choices. She still has the charms and can pass them on to her little girl.
I remember how powerful those draws were when we went. I set aside one evening for any shopping and only at the end of the trip so Nyssa could have time to decide on something she really, really wanted. She decided on a couple of silver charms for her bracelet and a Figment stuffed animal. I thought those were pretty wise choices. She still has the charms and can pass them on to her little girl.
I would NEVER indulge a child in such... it is ridiculous.
I am sure I have been guilty of overindulging my children, but that who;e set up is unbelievable. ANd yet, it must get business or it wouldn't be there.Children who are handed everything don't appreciate the value of anything.
This kind of thing makes me sick on a completely different level. Can you imagine anything like this being offered for BOYS? Of course not, because it would seem ridiculous.
This is how I've taught my kids about sexism. Switch the genders and see if it seems silly (like imagining a bunch of guys in speedos jumping around at halftime during a WNBA game).
This makeover thing sends MANY wrong messages...the expenditure is only one. Blech.
I really think Disneyitis is a disease that parents get when they walk through those gates to the park. I mean it. Suddenly, the same parents who wouldn't spring for a new $35 video game the kid has been begging for will blow exhorbitant amounts of money or more frivolous and inane goodies just in the name of Disney. It's ridiculous.
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