Posted by
Daniel Crandall on Friday, December 29, 2006 11:49:19 PM
My better half and me went to the mall in order to spend a few of the gift cards we received for Christmas. I'm the lucky one with the Borders card, she got the Macy's card.
As we sat eating a small lunch I noticed a family of 4 entering from the sun baked parking garage. A middle aged couple, another who may be a friend or sibling, and an older woman who slowly walked with the help of a cane. They slowly made their way across the parking lot's busy drive-way. The eldest among them set their speed and her face looked pain doing so.
As I watched the foursome work their way into the mall's hermetically sealed confines I thought what a lousy place to spend an afternoon, trudging slowly up and down the hard tile floors browsing through stuff made for someone half your age.
How much better off were we when, instead of a soulless mall to wander around in, folks congregated in townsquares and parks or simply sat in a small cafe, sipping coffee or beer talking about the events of the day.
I've been lucky enough to visit Greece on a few occasions, since my better half is Greek and she wants to visit her mother at least once a year. Good luck trying to find a mall in Athens. Sure there are large department stores, but nothing like the
Mall of America or
South Coast Plaza. If folks want to get together in Greece they go to a cafenio or taverna, sit with a ouzo, greek coffee or beer, maybe have some meze (basically appetiizers), talk and watch the folks stroll by. This isn't something happens on the lovely Greek Isles. This is a fair represenation of a relaxing afternoon or evening with friends and family in Athens, as well.
How I long for something like that here in the OC.
American Shopping Malls are no place for the family.