[rlayton2]

Malls (shopping centres here in Australia) are terrible experiences. I don't like shopping, but the general process for shopping at a such a place is:

1) Drive some distance to get there 2) Park in a cramped car park, where the size of the parks is generally as small as legally allowed 3) Walk through the same car park, which bizarrely doesn't have walking ways for people to safely go through 4) Go to the shop and search for the item(s) you are after 5) Wait in line for some arbitrary amount of time because the store has hired as few staff as they could possibly managed. Note that I'm being asked to wait, despite clearly indicating a willingness to buy 6) Get accused of shoplifting on the way out, have to show a receipt and have a staff member ask to see all through my bag 7) Get back into the car, hope you don't hit any pedestrians as you are backing your car out 8) Exit through a maze of one-way streets, trying not to hit or get hit by other cars, shopping trolleys or pedestrians.

Obviously it's not all bad - you get to see the item you are buying and see related items, try on clothes to see they fit, and take the item home immediately. However, overall as an experience it is painful.

Online shopping has its negatives, but I can stay home, order what I want, pay immediately and move on with my day.

[wyclif]

Malls peaked decades ago in the US, but they haven't peaked at all yet in the developing world. In the Philippines, for instance, they can't build enough huge, 4-storey malls fast enough. They are significant meeting places for young people and people use them to get out of the tropical heat because many people here do not have A/C.

[jeeeb]

I quite like the shopping centre experience in Australia. I went down to the my local centre today. It was vibrant and absolutely teaming with people. We shopped around and the kids had a good time in the play area with other kids.

Despite it being really busy most stores had short to no queues and aside from JB Hifi had nobody anywhere near the doors checking receipts.

[GordonS]

This exactly the same in the UK - I absolutely hate parking in those cramped multi-storey car parks, where after parking you can only open your door about an inch, and have to kind of ooze out of your car. Getting back in is even worse!

I would have imagined things in Australia were different (more like US), what with how much land there is.

[chii]

> how much land there is.

most of that land is away from the city!

[Tade0]

I'm kind of thankful for the pandemic, because it forced more businesses to provide an option to shop for groceries online.

I know I won't be going back to this exhausting 3h weekly ritual.

[ghaff]

That's the one thing I didn't do online. Early on, stock was just so limited and, by the time it wasn't, it just seemed easier to go in person. I was more organized and would go early-on once every week or two and it took me well under an hour.

[timcederman]

I am baffled at the shopping culture in Australia and how happy most people seem to be with it.

[Nimitz14]

This is the most whiny and ridiculous post I've ever read on hn.