Window shopping

Clothes we like, hate, want, need and have.

Do you like fashion?

If the answer is yes but you feel you don’t have much money to buy a lot of clothes don’t worry, it is a good idea to try window shopping because you don’t have to pay for anything. It is a fun pastime that many people enjoy all around the world. Window shopping goes from the activity of looking at products in store windows, walking through shopping malls to browsing sites online with the purpose of watching the items without the intention of buying them.

It has many advantages:

  • It doesn’t cost money.
  • It consumes energy so you could feel less stressed.
  • You can compare prices.
  • You have the idea about what are in fashion.
  • It helps you prevent impulse buying.
  • You don’t buy things that you don’t need.
  • You can try on different clothes you like.
  • If you hate crowded shops, you can try it online.

Now that you know what window shopping is…

Do you like window shopping?

Do you hate spending time without buying anything?

Before going over the exercises let’s remember the structures of these verbs: like, hate, want, need and have. Check these examples from the previous text about window shopping:

Singular

You have the idea about what are in fashion.

If you hate crowded shops, you can try it online.

My dad hates crowded shops, so he prefers staying at home.

Negative

You don’t have to pay for anything.

You don’t buy things that you don’t need.

My dad doesn’t like going window shopping.

Interrogative

Do you like window shopping?

Do you hate spending time without buying anything?

Do your friends have time to go window shopping?

Does your best friend like fashion?

Here you have some comics about teenagers going window shopping...

Writing exercise

Read the following dialogues and write in the spaces the appropriate form of the verbs from the box. The verbs can be repeated.

Lee los siguientes diálogos y escribe en los espacios la forma correcta de los verbos del recuadro. Los verbos se pueden repetir.

need / like / hate / have / want

Marilé: Hey Yami, look at that dress!

Yami: Yeah, it’s cool. I like it! Come on, let’s get in the store!

Yami: Do you like it Alfonso?

Alfonso: Sure, it’s beautiful Yami.

Yami: Yes, but it’s very expensive.

Marilé: ...and the truth is that you don´t need it because you have a lot of clothes.

Yami: I agree! I have many dresses, but it’s never enough!

Marisol: David, I hate the way you look wearing this green shirt, you look like the Grinch!

David: Maybe it’s true but, I like it anyway.

Alejandro: I think that she’s right. I don´t like it, either.

Marisol: Why don’t we go shopping and buy a nice shirt?

David: Uhm, I don´t have money in this moment.

Alejandro: We could go window shopping.

Marisol: Yes, it’s a good idea! You have nothing to lose by trying on some nice shirts.

David: Ok, I like the idea, let’s go to the mall then.

Paulina: I feel like going window shopping? I want/need/have to know about the latest trends in fashion.

Diego: Oh no! I hate going window shopping, why don’t we go for an ice cream?

Monse: Don’t argue guys, we can go for your ice cream first, then we go window shopping while you wait outside for us.

Paulina: You don´t have to pay for the ice cream, it’s on me.

Diego: I accept, but I wanta double-scoop blackberry ice cream with bits of chocolate.