Reflections

I have noticed throughout my observation that "Just Looking" seems to be a phrase that does not discriminate.  Class, age, time of day... a majority of shoppers use it and there are very few patterns otherwise.

This leads me to wonder... Is this phrase a learned behavior?  Do children pick it up from parents, and do they even realize that they're using it?

When I described the basis of my project to a friend outside of the class, she herself admitted that it's come to be reflex for her to say that she's "looking" while shopping.  She said it almost pops out without forethought, and she works in retail!

So, my new question is this (though it has little to do with the project, and is more of a personal life-question):
Is there something inherent that makes us afraid of interaction?

During work, I've noticed plenty of customers furiously texting or making phone calls while shopping in order to avoid interaction with sales people-- I've even seen a few "fake" phone calls, where people pretend to be on the phone rather than speak with me.

So maybe the real question is this:
Is there something that makes people afraid of others that they don't know?

Why is it that people shop in groups?
Why is it that individual shoppers need to use technology to interact with someone else as they shop?
Is it self-esteem?
Is it to dispell anxiety?
Is it to keep them from feeling lonely?