Time out with Shopper Mama's Special Guest: A Man-to-Man Talk

Today, my wife, the Shopaholic Mama, has asked me to fill in for her instead. I have been given a free rein to just write about anything, except on gossipy stuff, which I feel she does an excellent job in that.

So after thinking long and hard on the topic (blogging is not easy, I realized!), I thought I should probably give a Man-to-Man talk on –

HOW TO HANDLE A SHOPAHOLIC

(if you are 'lucky' enough to be married to one, just like me!)

Realistically, there is NO way we men can handle ONE! Impossible really, if you ask me! As the saying goes, 'If you can't beat them, join them.' Right??

Not the case for me thou. In fact, accept her obsession & live with it! According to my son's favorite vocab, its 'NC' or no choice, but for me, as the Hokkiens say, it is 'Bo Pian'!

So instead, I will tell you my Survival Kit, a must-have while my wife shops -

1. MINERAL WATER - 2 may never enough, depending on how many levels the mall has (imagine Tampines Mall which has 6 levels!). Also make sure you know where the toilets are, especially after guzzling bottles of water.

2. Newspapers, books & magazines - If you know that it is going to be a BIG MEGA SALES - which they have almost every week anyway, refrain from reading two days of newspapers and keep it for that fated shopping trip to fill your time.

3. Phone & PDA - I can do so much work with them in hand! Latest in my wish list will be a netbook - considering new malls both locally and across the causeway are getting bigger and equip with WiFi...

4. Last but not least, look for the perfect spot in the mall - the higher the spot, the better - as there will less human traffic. Also, you do not want to be seen by your colleagues and friends in the malls looking miserable...

If all of the above are successfully completed and she is still not back yet (which happens often actually), continue to accept the reality of your fate – start playing games found in your phone. You may never know, you may fare better than your children and keep the score to show-off ..

Don't be surprise, it may be considerably quite a long wait until she decides to make an appearance again!

A motto to remember, doesn't apply to me but to her –

When the going gets tough, the tough goes Shopping!

Sincerely,

FM ???

I found out she addressed me as 'FM' or 'Finance Minister' in her blog (by the way, I do not read her blog, been asked NOT to by her, apparently for my own good health!) I wish to object thou, I think 'SM' or 'Senior Minister' is more apt as I have to drive, pay, look after the kids, carry the stuff and follow her around in most of her shopping escapades! And since I have been doing this crucial job for more than 16 years, I think I deserve a better and more senior title...

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A lil' note from Shopaholic Mama – Firstly, thanks to my hubby for taking up this challenge & contribute this for Vogue-U. I do feel empathetic when I read his grievances above, but if he can take it for 16 years+, what’s another 20 years or more right :)

So, what say you? What do you think I should address him from now on?