Why You shouldn't send Men Shopping

It should be of no great surprise to anyone that men do not actually like shopping (purchasing CD's, DVD's or books does not count - that is just adding to our collection) and ladies, if you do insist on sending your bloke along to the shops beware of the potential consequences, as my wife found out on Saturday.

After a lovely lunch, Darling suggested that I buy the week's groceries on the way home whilst she went off to the salon to get her nails done (of course I agreed). Well, I did not fancy going to the expensive supermarket in the shopping centre where we had eaten as I did not want to lug the goods all the way back, so I decided to visit my local store, which is a lot closer to home. As I walked back to Wan Chai and arrived at the store, I thought that I would have just a quick look in Fortress (electrical goods shop), which you need to walk through to get to the supermarket (well, technically there is another entrance to the supermarket but I never use it). Now, I did actually need a new DVD player as my old one is not so new anymore (bloke's logic). So I decided to purchase a DVD/HDD/ High Definition player and recorder, on which they offered me discount. Pleased with this I thought I would enquire whether I would get any more discount if I bought a flat screen LCD TV. I was pleased to learn that not only would I get the same level of discount, they would also throw in a Samsung 7.2 Mega Pixel camera.

Of course, I was sold, the only question was what size of TV would be suitable. Now as I have a small apartment, the salesman suggested a 32" model. So, in a moment of wisdom, I decided to purchase the 37" model - just in case we move apartments at a later date. I booked the delivery/ installation for Tuesday 8th May, and set off home with the DVD/HDD player. By now it had got quite late so I headed off quickly to the gym for a couple of hours.

When I returned home, I find Darling stood in the kitchen looking in the fridge. She politely asks "where's the food for the week?" and then asks "what is in the box in the living room?". I advise that I have finally got us a new DVD player as the old one was playing up. I then casually mention that I had also treated us to a new flat screen TV - as we both deserved something nice. I could tell that she was not overly convinced by the "treat for us" line, so I blurted out that I had also bought her a new digital camera - but that she would need to wait a couple of days until I could collect it from the nice people at Samsung. Darling was still not overly impressed, "I am not keen on taking pictures" - or something like that, she advised. (I make a mental note at this point to tell her that the camera is actually a free gift, just pick a good moment to tell her).

Well the weekend passed, we ate out, (funnily enough) and Tuesday came. The man from Fortress arrived with the TV, ready for installation. As he opened the box he suddenly looked confused and pulled out his phone. It transpires that they had sent an old model, 5000 resolution instead of 8000 apparently, not that I would have ever noticed. I asked if he was sure I had purchased the correct model and advised that I had as mine is the one that comes with the free camera! Damn! Darling of course catches all of this (funny how she often misses what I say but manages to catch this one small piece of information), then insists that she does not want the camera anyway. So there we are, the TV will now come on Saturday and I will be off shopping (again) over the next couple of days, this time in search of something nice for my wife.

So there you go, if you insist on sending your bloke off shopping, beware as it can get expensive, you may go hungry and end up with something that you were not after in the first place. Just don't say you have not been warned!