Shopping, Browsing, Looking, Buying

What's the difference?  "Shopping" means different things to different people. Whenever I say "I'm going shopping" to my hubby, he moans the classic husband-groan right on cue. But to him, shopping implies spending money, where as to me shopping doesn't always result in money spent. We've had discussions that the word "shopping" implies "looking" and "buying" to him, whereas sometimes for me it only results in "looking" or "browsing".  So from now on, I'm only "browsing" if I don't really intend to buy anything, only to look around and kill time for an afternoon.  Did I mention that the sales are really great right now?  I'm headed out the door now... just to "browse" of course... 

Shopping

It's sale time! Sales here are special and a little bit of a big deal.  They only occur twice per year- during the months of January and July.  Merchants place their items on sale, usually granting 20 to 50% discounts.  It makes sense that they want to clear their shelves and racks for the next season.  Strangely enough, this designated sale period is also mandated by Italian law.  Stores may only have sales during these two months.  As a result, this year Michael and I saved our Christmas shopping for each other until January...

I've also taken advantage of sales on home goods at a favorite department store: Coin.  I scored a set of 6 balloon wine glasses, cloth napkins, and new towels, all for 50% off.