Mall of America

Mall of America

This is going to sound really strange but I absolutely love Mall of America. Every time I talk to someone about the Mall of America their reactions are always, “Ugh, I hate it” or “That place is always wall too busy” oh and the classic, “I get too stressed out there.” I am the exact opposite. My perfect day would be to wake up, head to Starbucks for a cup of the dark roast and then hit up Mall of America for a day of browsing. My trips to the mall don’t include actually buying the products I look at. There have been many times when I’ve walked around for three hours and haven’t boughten one thing. I have never once had a bad experience at Mall of America, but there is one exception that contributes to a horrible trip: a companion. I have to shop alone. It’s kind of like I have my own separate relationship with the mall. It’s a date, just me and the mall. I know this is anti-romantic to most, but to me it’s extremely romantic and this backs up the claim that no structure of feeling is universal.

As Williams describes the structure of feeling. Many people have different outlooks, perceptions, and i impulses when they enter Mall of America. Upon entering I always become anxious in the parking lot. It’s usually difficult to find a spot, but that only builds up my excitement. I automatically park in the same lot every time (Nordstroms entrance, pineapple floor). I love walking right into the main mall area. Floors are buzzing with people, all types of ages and demographics are quickly walking from store to store, new products are being advertised, Camp Snoopy (I refuse to call it Nickelodeon Universe) rides and games in the background. I instantly become happy as I walk from store to store. This whole entrance is romantic to me because I love the hustle and bustle the mall provides. I cannot stand quiet and boring places. My eyes need something fast paced and interesting to look at. The people watching is half the fun at Mall of America. I love walking into random stores and viewing all the merchandise. The types of product and styles that various stores interests me so much. I can instantly tell if I’ll like the current styles and I feel no need to stay in a store to politely browse if I don’t see anything. I guess thats why I cannot shop with anyone. I walk in and out of stores rapidly.

I don’t particularly know why I developed this “relationship” with the Mall of America. I think it formed at a young age when my dad would allow me to skip a day of school and he and I would go to Mall of America. During that one day we had to walk every floor and ride the log ride at least three times. I loved those days spent with my dad and it made me appreciate the fun and nonsense Mall of America was able to provide. It’s weird but the Mall of America provides a personal structure of feeling. Whenever I arrive I am instantly reminded of the blast I had with my father at a young age which heightens my mood. My love for fashion and styles comes out when I browse. I go to the Mall of America once in a while to keep it special and the only person I can make an exception to go with is my dad. I think its a place that not many people appreciate. Ideologically the Mall of America is hated by most. But what if it was taken away. Where would parents have the ability to Christmas shop in one place? Where would indoor theme park birthday parties take place? Where would teenagers spend hours entertained by shops and movies after their parents dropped them off? People need to stop hating and appreciate how cool Mall of America really is. It’s awesome we have a mall to this magnitude in our state and if people went in with a better attitude maybe they’d get a similar feeling that I receive.