European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 18, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse Big crowds an unfamiliar environment and bewildering choices co overwhelm the Seldom shopper. Tips for men How to shop and survive by the Hartford courant of be seen them in the stores this time of year. Dazed and bewildered. Disoriented. Or shocked even a like Deer caught in the headlights. Who Are these lost souls they re your husbands boyfriends Brothers and sons. They re men who Don t know How to shop for women men who would t know Orion from organdy bustiers from baby dolls. In their defense shopping for women is not easy. Sizes Are a Nightmare scents Are confusing and personal preferences elusive and puzzling. Take heart gents and get your scissors out. We re Gonna help you through Holiday shopping. A do your Homework first things first. Pay attention to detail. Before you head out shopping Snoop through Ner makeup bag and Medicine Cabinet and get familiar with Brand names. If you see a lot of the word lancome Quot for example chances Are Shell appreciate most cosmetics in the lancome line. Get in those closets and Check out sizes in her sweaters. Look inside the shoes. Know her ring size. It helps to ask a Girlfriend or sister. A ask questions Don t be shy. Ask salespeople for help especially with sizes. One of the most confusing aspects of shopping for a woman is the size system a or rather both of them. There Are two lines for women juniors marked by Odd numbers and misses the even numbers. Juniors clothes Are Cut for younger bodies a trimmer in the hips for example. Women s and plus sizes Are for the Fuller figure types juniors styles also tend to be trendier while misses Are More classic. So if you re looking for a Gray midcalf pleated skirt you d find it in misses. The thigh High slits Are Over in juniors. Steer Clear from Al or anything that connotes largeness unless you re absolutely certain. Buying Large sizes and Especial try erring to the larger size is it can be just As damaging to have purchased a size 13 for the proud plus size woman. Most department stores carry larger sizes some retailers specialize in them so there s no reason for coming up Short. A common scents All perfume is not created equal. Spray on scents usually come in three concentrations Par Fum eau de Par Fum and eau de Toilette Par Fum perfume is the most concentrated and costly followed by eau de Par Fum the most common concentration and the weaker eau de Toilette. Most fragrance counters have already done most of the work for you creating nifty prepackaged assortments. Gifts of fragrances Are always appreciated a but keep two things in mind. Try to match the scent to the woman hip Chicks probably Don t Wear Lavender dusting powder conversely grandma is probably not a Charlie girl. One other thing a growing number of unisex scents exists that can be worn by men and women and it is not unusual for women to Wear men s Cologne. A underwear Nice undergarments and sexy lingerie make great gifts. But remember they should be comfortable and enjoyable for her and not simply to turn you on. And Don t be daunted by sizes. In a 348 Bra for example the 34 is Chest circumference the b is cup size. Here is essential a you Don t want to be off by a cup size or two. Either Way it sends a weird message. Panties generally come in sizes 5, 6 or 7, corresponding approximately to Small medium and Large. But would t a Nice camisole or Teddy be simpler a Railroad Salvage is. Saks you Don t have to spend a Fortune on a gift but if you cheaper out and did All your shopping at the 99 Cen t store Shell know. Believe us. A woman would rather get one thoughtful gift that you took some care in selecting than a slew of duds like salad tongs Bunny slippers and a handful of cracked Eye shadows. A gift certificates in most cases they appear a total cop out. A sure winners Diamond stud earrings. Bracelet watch. An Artsy Book it pegs you As a sensitive Guy. Antique jewelry. Well chosen cd a preferably something with a Melody. Exotic Flowers. Anything for the elegant Bath luxury soaps Juicy. Shower gels Bath oils sensuous the family a what is your opinion of Nintendo and other video games they be been claiming a big percentage of our son s time Over the past few months a and Are a big part of his Christmas wish list a and in a getting a Little anxious about it. Depending of the particular games in question you May have a valid cause for concern. Or. Vince Hammond head of the National coalition on television violence stated that some studies have highlighted the potentially harm Tif nature of video games especially those with violent themes a for example. Renegade wizards and warriors and or. Jekyll and or. Hyde. Some observers have come to the conclusion that these games can become obsessive and encourage aggressive behaviour. There s even evidence to suggest that children Between the Ages of b and 10 Are 80 percent More Likely to fight with one another after playing with them. I want to make it Clear that i m not necessarily recommending a total ban on All Nintendo games. I m simply suggesting that parents be aware of and seek to Deal with two dangerous aspects of these games the element of violence that plays such an important part in some of them and the addictive qualities that seem to be a distinguishing Mark of ail. I d advise you to put Clear limits on the amount of time your son be allowed to spend with video games so that he wont become obsessed with them. Heip him avoid the violent ones altogether. With realistic guidelines i think its possible to keep this kind of activity under control rather than letting it control your son and your family. Q my children Are picking up some bad language from other boys and girls in the neighbourhood and at school. I want to give them some Good reasons to Stop swearing and using Quot dirty words. Any suggestions crude language never does anyone any Good. As a matter of fact it s usually intended to Hud or offend. So quite apart from the supposed meanings of the words a sexual or otherwise a there Are very Good reasons to Stop using them. You can also Tell them that swearing is a sign of weakness and that kids who use bad language Are probably trying to cover up feelings of inferiority and fears about. Themselves. They re attempting to sound Quot Tough and to impress their friends. They May be acting this Way in order to gain acceptance with their Peers i think it s crucial to talk openly with your children about pressure to conform especially As they approach adolescence. They re going to encounter More of it As the years go by. After you have offered this rationale you May find that your children continue to use bad language and profanity. If so i would Stop explaining and take some action or. James c. Dobson is president of focus on the Fri a. An organi anon dedicated to preserving the Horn. shout be sent to him at focus on the family p o. To 444, Colorado Springs. Colo. 60003. Saturday december 18,1993 the stars and stripes 15
