Analysis Of Phyllis Rose's Shopping: A Spiritual Adventure In America

In the writing “Shopping: A Spiritual Adventure in America” Write It, 7th ed., edited by Linda Strahan and Kathleen Moore, KendallHunt,2020, 351-354, an American literary critic and essayist Phyllis Rose makes the case that buying and shopping have two different meanings. She claims that buying is simply purchasing things you need while shopping has many purposes such as it being a form of therapy, a way to socialize with others, and even an outlet to establish a connection to a spiritual power, ( for example god or any other religion). Rose states in her writing that “Shopping’s function as a form of therapy is widely appreciated. You don’t really need, let's say, another sweater. You need the feeling of power that comes with buying or not

I disagree with Rose on the idea that shopping is a spiritual adventure, not due to the materialistic reasoning explained in the text, but due to the fact that people try to avoid going outside and having contact with others by using self-checkouts, delivering food online, and online shopping. When going out to the store people typically want to get out of the store as fast as they can, because they do not want to waste their time. Often people do not want to see anyone they know, making that another reason people tend to leave the store quickly. An example of this would be when I go shopping for snacks when I go back to my dorm. I have an idea of what I want to get usually, and the same thing every weekend: water, protein bars, meal plans (chicken alfredo with broccoli), and energy drinks. It usually takes less than 10 minutes to gather and leave the store. I plan a grocery list to leave the store as soon as

Today, depending on the items I want to buy, I usually use apps like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target. On these online websites, you could purchase anything from groceries like produce to technology like a new computer or phone. There have been many circumstances where I found myself ordering online. For example, buying my tablet was simple and quick, I did not have to worry about waiting or starting a conversation with anyone. With a click of a button, I found exactly what I wanted and bought it easily. It was straightforward and to the point no need for socializing or window shopping. Window shopping is still an option, while shopping online it's effortless to find everyday items, and with a simple search, you find exactly what you want. Rose explains that shopping is a form of a therapeutic tool and proclaims shopping and buying have two different meanings. Rose goes in depth in her writing when stating “We shop to cheer ourselves up. We shop to practice decision-making” “Shopping: A Spiritual Adventure in America” page 352 ph 6. Rose explains the therapeutic concept of how shopping at “superstores'' makes people cheer up and practice their decision-making skills but that's