What kind of shopper are you?

This is a situation that happens often, especially around this time of year: I'm at, like, a weddingor something, meeting complete strangers. They find out I work for Lucky and say something lovely, complimentary and good natured such as, "You must be such a good shopper! I'd love to go shopping with you." And I immediately feel...terrible. Like I've been caught in some huge lie, like I'm the fraudiest fraudster in Fraudtown.

See, I am not what you'd call a "good" shopper. I have friends whoglide through stores caressing fabrics, joking with the salesgirls,admiring and setting down accessories like they're Ming Dynastyantiques, just really enjoying themselves and then leaving withunexpected items they love and wear for years. And I know people who are eagle-eyed in any type of shop: They have a goal and a budget. They get in, get out. They declare victory. I admire both of these styles so much, but it isNOT what it's like for me. Instead, I'm never sure what I want, I getclammy and dizzy, I make awkward-dorky conversation, I've been knownto cry in the dressing room over a mound of ill-fitting jeans, Iconsistently wear the wrong underwear to sample sales and I worryconstantly and irrationally that I am going to get lipstick on a $400blouse, or worse, B.O.

Part of the reason I love shopping on eBay, Etsy, and, heck, near any space online,is to compensate for this in-store shopping handicap. Risky or not, I'dso much rather deal with the awkwardness of something not being right(including my underwear) in the privacy of my own apartment. Andlately, when those kind strangers ask me for tips on amazing,out-in-the world shopping, I lean in conspiratorially and whisper, "Idon't know about that, but I can help you find some incredible deals oneBay." Like Dolce Vita sandals, which I am currently buying by the armful, at deeply discounted, non-bricks-and-mortar store prices.

I'm curious, readers: What's your shopping style?