Jamie Feldman

I had questions.

I had questions.

And since I wasn't shopping myself, I'd have to find another willing subject to study. Someone who loved me enough to let me document every single step they took.

And since I wasn't shopping myself, I'd have to find another willing subject to study. Someone who loved me enough to let me document every single step they took.

When we first reached out to my mom about going with her and her best friend Carol on a trip to TJ Maxx, she wasn't sure when we'd be able to make it happen. After all, they only go to the store once a week.

When we first reached out to my mom about going with her and her best friend Carol on a trip to TJ Maxx, she wasn't sure when we'd be able to make it happen. After all, they only go to the store once a week.

Heaven, I'm in heaven. To my mother, heaven is at TJ Maxx on Long Island. And apparently to a lot of other women, too. I can't believe how busy this place is.

Heaven, I'm in heaven. To my mother, heaven is at TJ Maxx on Long Island. And apparently to a lot of other women, too. I can't believe how busy this place is.

Wow, we were becoming anthropologists already. Oh, it's calling my name. So wagon time. First thing you do is get a wagon.

Wow, we were becoming anthropologists already. Oh, it's calling my name. So wagon time. First thing you do is get a wagon.

To her, it was a banquet of bling. It's so nice to look at. A cornucopia of colors. It's appealing. A deluge of decadence. I don't need this and I wouldn't buy it, but I definitely would look at it. An exhibit of extravagance. That's why, because of the color and the packaging. A veritable feast for the financially famished. Six dollars, right? So it's great. She didn't seem especially hungry.

To her, it was a banquet of bling. It's so nice to look at. A cornucopia of colors. It's appealing. A deluge of decadence. I don't need this and I wouldn't buy it, but I definitely would look at it. An exhibit of extravagance. That's why, because of the color and the packaging. A veritable feast for the financially famished. Six dollars, right? So it's great. She didn't seem especially hungry.

I'm just looking at everything. Everything. It's sickness. It's sick.

I'm just looking at everything. Everything. It's sickness. It's sick.

I followed Carol, who immediately explained why. Yeah, she's very slow. Same thing in home goods. Five minutes, I'm done with the store. But she's still an aisle one, you know?

I followed Carol, who immediately explained why. Yeah, she's very slow. Same thing in home goods. Five minutes, I'm done with the store. But she's still an aisle one, you know?

I used to give her a time limit. Every so often, it'd be, okay, we got a half hour here. And in some places, I don't mind waiting if there's a place to sit down. But sometimes it's like, yeah. I can look at every one of these boxes. Like, look at this. I just love to look at the fun stuff and feel it and touch it. And she's not into that. She just likes to get something.

I used to give her a time limit. Every so often, it'd be, okay, we got a half hour here. And in some places, I don't mind waiting if there's a place to sit down. But sometimes it's like, yeah. I can look at every one of these boxes. Like, look at this. I just love to look at the fun stuff and feel it and touch it. And she's not into that. She just likes to get something.

And even though they spend 90% of their shopping trip on different paths, it's still very much a social experience.

And even though they spend 90% of their shopping trip on different paths, it's still very much a social experience.