| Author | Message | ||
     greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 2079 Registered: 5-2001 |
Went to Short Hills yesterday for some needed items. I left without some of them (out of stock) but did pick up some questions: 1. If you can afford to shop at The MaSH, why don't you get a babysitter for your 4-12 y/o kids? 2. Why do women drag their husbands to the Nordstrom shoe sales? Can you not hold your own purse? 3. Why do saleswomen at L'Occitane feel obliged to follow me around the store pushing products at me, chanting "try this, try this", even after I have said "no thank you, I know what I want" 10,000 times. 4. Why would a mom dismiss the opinion of her 10-ish y/o child who says "Mom, why were you mean to that saleslady"? I would think she would want to set an example and reward the child noticing that you don't snap at people just because they are store workers. 5. Why do parents park strollers containing toddlers near the glassware in Pottery Barn? 6. Why do workers in stores ask if you need help if they cannot answer the questions you ask (yes, they were product-related and not meta-physical). More later.... | ||
| Tom Reingold Citizen Username: Noglider Post Number: 2429 Registered: 1-2003  |
I know what you mean, greenetree. All of your questions seem to answer themselves. Except I'd love it if you elaborated on number 6. I've been to The Mall At Short Hills (it's not the Short Hills Mall) once since moving to the area. Before that, the last time might have been about 15 years ago. It was upscale then, and it's gotten much more so since then. I don't feel the need to go back, at least not often, but they did treat me quite well at Nordstrom's. I wouldn't have gone there, except that my inlaws gave me a gift card for it. I got some really nice shoes there. I joked to my wife that I would have been better off if they had gotten me a gift card for Syms, since the money would have gone farther. Her point is that the gift was to indulge myself, which I did. Couldn't I indulge myself even deeper at Syms, though?  Tom Reingold the prissy-pants There is nothing | ||
| redY67 Citizen Username: Redy67 Post Number: 270 Registered: 2-2003 |
Isn't it obvous? 1. They take the child to the mall for some quality time. 2. The purse matches the husband's out fit better, so he has to come to the sale. 3. "No thank you , I know what I want" translates to a salesperson as "Please ask me again, I might have changed my mind." 4. The mother is setting an example? She is teaching her daughter how to treat those "below her" The daughter is wrong. 5. Again, the glass section, more quality fun time with the child. 6. Knowing the product does not fall under the salesperson's job description. | ||
| thegoodsgt Citizen Username: Thegoodsgt Post Number: 406 Registered: 2-2002 |
On a side note, last week's issue of The New Yorker had an article about mall design and featured the MaSH as one of the most profitable malls in the country (top five IIRC). The average mall earns around $450/sq. ft., and the MaSH earns closer to $800! My wife and I always feel self-conscious there, as if all the Fat Cats can tell that we're not wealthy nor from regal bloodlines. | ||
| Gene Z Citizen Username: Genez Post Number: 32 Registered: 2-2002 |
MaSH reminds me of the Rodeo Drive shopping sequence early in "Pretty Woman." Z | ||
| bella Citizen Username: Bella Post Number: 421 Registered: 7-2001 |
I've never felt "not good enough" at Short Hills. Maybe that's because until I moved away it was really the only mall to which I went. I just thought that Livingston was a "bad" mall. Ha! Then I moved to Ohio. My mother has always maintained that the people there are snotty. Maybe it is a matter of what you're used to. | ||
| shh Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 987 Registered: 5-2001 |
I think the Mall used to be much more pleasant when I first moved in here eight years ago. It was a lot less crowded. I pretty much avoid it on the weekends. I don't get the whole bringing the husband to the shoe sale either. My husband would rather have his toe nails pulled out than sit around while I try clothes/shoes on in a store. Maybe some guys get little kick out of seeing their wives spend their money? You know, the whole trophy wife thing. Or they consider it quality time? If I MUST go on the weekend, I leave the kids with the husband. Everyone is much happier like that. He doesn't want to be dragged around the stores either. | ||
| ashear Citizen Username: Ashear Post Number: 1053 Registered: 5-2001 |
Maybe its the New Yorker in me but I seem to manage to survive while almost never going to malls. Short Hills is particulalrly easy since there are almost no stores there that I would ever shop at. | ||
| Dave Citizen Username: Dave Post Number: 6594 Registered: 4-1998  |
This is the real reason why the Internet was invented. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 2083 Registered: 5-2001 |
I confess that I go to MaSH about three times a year- in & out as quickly as possible. And, it is against my religion to go anywhere near any mall between T-giving and New Year's. Unless I need something like a black-tie outfit or a type ofothing best not purchased online, these are the only places I go: Nordstrom shoe sales MAC cosmetics L'Occitane facial products Sephora - cosmetics supplies (cheaper than MAC) Coach - well, I have a little problem Pildes Optical Pottery Barn - replace broken everyday wine glasses I do mostly internet shopping, but for close-by things, I hate to pay shipping charges. And it's not a good idea to buy eyeglasses on the internet. I really don't get why anyone would go just to "browse" or "hang out". It is definitely not my idea of a way to relax! | ||
| sportsnut Citizen Username: Sportsnut Post Number: 999 Registered: 10-2001 |
Last November our next door neighbors moved away and a bunch of friends got together to throw a going away party. My wife and I thought it would be nice to go to Tiffany's to purchase a gift for them. It was on a Saturday and I spent the morning painting. My wife came to get me and I washed my hands threw on a baseball cap and off we went. I had on an old pair of jeans and shoes that were speckled with paint. I have to admit I was a little self conscious as we entered the store, but to be honest most of the "looks" I got were from other customers not the store clerks. They were very helpful and not the least bit snotty. We don't shop there often but when we do I pass the time by observing all of the people who go there dressed in their finest, wearing their diamonds etc. It makes me laugh inside. After all its just a mall and my money is just as good as someone elses. They do have some nice stores i.e. coach, eddie bauer, jcrew etc. but as Dave indicated nothing that you can't sit in front of your computer and order. | ||
| Tom Reingold Citizen Username: Noglider Post Number: 2437 Registered: 1-2003 |
A truly classy joint is where they treat you with utter respect, even when you're wearing paint-spackled clothes. I haven't been to Tiffany's in Short Hills, but this is how they are in the NYC store. They know that either you have the money to spend and don't look it or that you might one day have the money. Either way, it pays to treat you as a high-paying customer. I can't fathom buying trousers or shoes without trying them on. I don't understand how mail and internet orders are so common. Tons of trousers and shoes are my size, numerically, but come far from fitting me properly. Tom Reingold the prissy-pants There is nothing | ||
| Brett Citizen Username: Bmalibashksa Post Number: 828 Registered: 7-2003 |
Tom R, Once you find a store you like and know what your size is for those clothes it's easy. I know exactly what I can order from eddie bauer online and I know it will fit. | ||
| Wendyn Citizen Username: Wendyn Post Number: 162 Registered: 9-2002 |
Greentree...ever buy Coach on ebay? You can get slightly used stuff at great prices and new stuff at outlet or slightly below prices. Also lots of other name brand handbags (I've had my eye on a Dooney but can't get myself to spend the money). DH bought a new Coach briefcase and saved around 30%. Sportsnut...Eddie Bauer is closed in SHM and several other malls I have been to. Not sure what's up with them. I love SHM. I don't feel self concious in the least. Every time I come across a snotty sales clerk I think about how much more I make a year than they do and I feel sorry for them. But honestly I've had snotty sales clerks in Livingston too. Of course I do live in Millburn, so there you go. | ||
| sportsnut Citizen Username: Sportsnut Post Number: 1002 Registered: 10-2001 |
Eddie Bauer is closed?!?! Guess I need to get out more. I'd rather put up with the snotty sales clerks at SHM than most of the non-caring, can't be bothered attitude of those in Livingston. Boy we can't even lay claim to a decent mall in this area can we? | ||
| sportsnut Citizen Username: Sportsnut Post Number: 1003 Registered: 10-2001 |
This whole discussion reminds me of the time that Opie and Anthony had a contest to name the snootiest mall in the tri-state area and the listeners called in and voted the MaSH by an overwhelming margin. They then rounded up a group of homeless people and gave them some christmas cash and brought them to the Mall. They reported and recorded the whole event and some of it was hilarious. (This is not an endorsement of the two of them. However, this was a very funny idea considering the general attitude of the mall) | ||
| gozerbrown Citizen Username: Gozerbrown Post Number: 376 Registered: 3-2002 |
I only go to that mall maybe once or twice a year to hit stores that Livingston Mall doesn't have. I can't tell you how much I dislike that place. But I went there yesterday for something and felt like I had to dress up before I went. Maybe this is my insecurity talking, but I never feel like I look good enough to be there...like they can all tell that I'm really some hick. I always witness things I find completely hilarious when I'm there. I went to Borders and overheard a woman who just left the store out on a bench (or should I say "easy chair") talking on a cellphone. Actually, she was yelling on the cell phone about how she just found this "super" book that she wanted to get for "Muffy" about the opera. They didn't have any "super" books about ballet in there. Who the heck uses the word "super"? Or fabulous? These are words I often hear in that mall. And it makes me a little nauseous. | ||
| greenetree Supporter Username: Greenetree Post Number: 2084 Registered: 5-2001 |
More random thoughts- TS gets annoyed with me because I don't let her go to MaSH in sweats (OK, I know it's my problem....) I second the opinion on learning how internet-order clothes fit you & then sticking to it. Eddie Bauer closing has been a big issue for me. I used to order stuff on the internet & take whatever didn't look good/fit right back to the store at MaSH. It was quick & convenient (& I always looked like a bag lady trudging thru the mall with my plastic grocery bags full of returns). Now, I either have to go to another mall (not gonna happen) or pay to return ship. The last time I took a huge bag to return & found out that EB had closed, I called EB & complained. I got a one-time free return shipping. Wendy - I have purchased from alternative Coach stores, but I like to fondle first.  | ||
| ffof Citizen Username: Ffof Post Number: 2064 Registered: 5-2001  |
I go to the MASH with jeans and no make-up and I also go in my tennis clothes and I also go with nice pants and a blazer, who cares? There are plenty of people there in sweats (not that I admire the look!) but have you noticed how there's a group who are doing mall laps for excercise? Get over the feeling everybody! Your money is as good as the next person's. You could be a DuPont driving up in the old wood-sided station wagon for all they know. It's a great place to laugh at all the hilarious money-spenders, but hey, there are some good bargains and good places to splurge too. And there are some great sales! Don't think a prissy poodle lady doesn't like a sale. They all do! My favorite places at the MASH for sale stuff: Eileen Fisher GAP Nordstrom's (and so friendly too!) Pottery Barn Ann Taylor Express (my daughter) My favorite places for splurge items: See above (  ) And don't forget the free samples at David's cookies! | ||
| bobk Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 4994 Registered: 5-2001 |
Ffof, do you wear your mink over your jeans?  |
