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DEL.ICIO.USFast Times at Discover Mills
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What is it between me and shopping lately?
I’m sorry, friends and neighbors, I don’t often find myself talking about this very much. I have had so much of Wal-Mart floating around in my brain recently, the very idea of going to a grocery store, a drugstore, or even a convenience store has made me shudder with dread.
So, it was with some sense of irony that I found myself walking through Discover Mills Mall on Sunday. We had gone to see the new Harry Potter movie. With all the hyperbole of J.K. Rowling’s last book having been released for sale on Friday night, I figured, what the heck. Might as well throw myself into the thronging masses.
The IMAX theater was completely booked up until 9:50 that night at Mall of Georgia. So, I figured that I would kill two birds with one stone. Take my semiannual stroll through a mall, and write a blog about it.
When I think of a mall, I immediately think of “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.” Yes, I’m getting old. No need to rub it in. At any rate, while thinking about Judge Reinhold and Phoebe Cates, I thought I would walk my hobbled body through the hoards and see how much things have changed.
It seems to me that in my day, people walked either on the right side or on the left side of the mall. Not anymore. I was reminded of another movie, “Crocodile Dundee.” You know, when Paul Hogan is walking down the sidewalk of New York City against the flow of traffic. Compounding the chaos was a number of people on cell phones. They walk like they drive: oblivious and inattentive. Five people walking side by side, each walking very slowly, each talking on her cell phone. A lady pushing a baby carriage talking on her phone. A man yelling at his two little boys to slow down while talking on a cell phone.
I couldn’t imagine having a cell phone as a kid at Norcross High School. The kids still mill around, but now they share downloaded tunes, the latest video games, and other electronic blurbs that I can’t even begin to understand.
Yes, the world has slowed down quite a bit for me. I’m laughing at myself as I type those last words. I don’t know when I got so out of touch with things, and I’m not yet ready to be convinced that I am. So, help me out.
What are the rules of the mall today?
Permalink | Comments (11) | Categories: Bill Allen
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By Pam
July 24, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this
Bill, you and I must be close to the same age. I’m a child of the 80s and I DO remember walking on the right side in school and at the mall. I’ve been to Discover Mills and find it to be a much better mall than some of the others. At least the aisles are a bit wider than typical malls. Don’t you hate feeling trapped behind someone?
P.S. Discover Mills was listed as the best mall in Metro Atlanta for entertainment by the AJC staffers for the Best of the A.
By Josh Valentine
July 24, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this
I am from Marietta and I ususally go to Town Center or Cumberland Malls. they are good malls. One day in the Summer of 2004, I went to Discover Mills and it put Town Center and Cumberland to shame. Discover Mills have a movie theater, skate park, and entertainment. Recently in 2006, they have got Medieval Times up and running. I never been there, but I heard it is a great place. I hope in the coming years that Discover Mills will keep the reputation as a good mall and one of the best in the South.
By Kraut
July 25, 2007 8:02 AM | Link to this
I agree with you Bill on how digital electronic gadgetry has changed “the rules” of the mall, but I also think that the general decay of common courtesy and good manners contributes to such behavior. I’ve learned to adapt by either ignoring it or adopt the old “when in Rome, do as the Romans do” attitude. Discover Mills is a great mall; I have done my Christmas shopping there, and in record time, for the last 2 years and will return again this year to do the same.
By Sarah
July 25, 2007 8:04 AM | Link to this
I know people who travel from other STATES just to go to Discover Mills. I recently went to the Bass Pro Shop and was amazed at how big it was. They even have a counter at the entrance like it’s a theme park. There were literally busloads of people there to shop.
The theater there was also voted #1 in metro Atlanta by the AJC’s movie critic. There are also great restaurants there like Thai Diner and Athena’s Kouzinna. It’s truly a gem for Lawrenceville.
By Keon
July 26, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this
Back to the question…:) What are the rules. I’m not that old, I’m not even thirty yet. But I do recall it being the fashion to walk to the right side of the mall. However there isn’t an inforcement of that today. Was it the unwritten or official rarely spoke of rule of malls back then? I can’t recall. Anyway, the rules now are that there are no rules.
It’s a free for all. The strategy of malls now is to create destination/environment shopping as was some of the case in the 80’s as that where suburban kid hanged then. But today. There isn’t really a proper or unproper type of store, clientel dress for the mall. You have the older people using malls in the mornings for exercise and early shoping befor the crowds. The young adults using the mall on their lunches to do quick shoping and of course eat. Then the young people who typically attend on the weekends. And there you have it. The new shopping experience in America…unless you want to start doing the european stroll which is comming to Atlant soon with the improvements to Peachtree…
By believeit
July 26, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this
Bill/Pam - I’m so glad I happened upon this blog. I thought I might have been dreaming that we used to walk “on the same side we drive on.” (That’s how I trained my younger brother in crowds).
Not only do people now walk in random jacked up patterns, they also fail to say “excuse me” if cutting you off in foot traffic.
I’ve had harsh “accidental” bumps into many people who rudely crossed my path. Being a 6’5” well-built man, I’m sure they got the point.
By believeit
July 26, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this
Bill/Pam - I’m so glad I happened upon this blog. I thought I might have been dreaming that we used to walk “on the same side we drive on.” (That’s how I trained my younger brother in crowds).
Not only do people now walk in random jacked up patterns, they also fail to say “excuse me” if cutting you off in foot traffic.
I’ve had harsh “accidental” bumps into many people who rudely crossed my path. Being a 6’5” well-built man, I’m sure they got the point.
By Joe Burchfield
July 27, 2007 9:49 AM | Link to this
Bill,
Yes, times certainly have changed since we’d go to Perimeter Mall to watch a movie and stay out of the sun on “swim meet” days in the mid-70’s. As much as I agree that cell phone’s are a HUGE part of today’s self-centered generation, I believe the root of the problem is from parents not raising their kids to be considerate. It is quite disappointing.
By bill allen
July 27, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this
Mr. Burchfield whispers of memories from my childhood, when Perimeter Mall was the far north end of Atlanta and the movies of swim meet days led to dinner at Michael’s pizza after the meet. I’ll buy the lack of consideration demonstrated by kids these days, but I think that lack has also extended a bit beyond adolesence. Not always, but I see it more than I used to.
By Chris
July 27, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this
Am I the only one that remembers that Michael’s used to be Monacles???
By Jack Wages
July 28, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this
I hope after the next county commission election, it will be last we will hear of Ms. Lassister for a long long time. Enough is enough.