Why do people shop? Of course there are certain things that you need in order to survive, but sometimes people seem to buy things not really necessary. We asked people their ways of shopping and life styles, and also their views on the consumption behaviour in the society.

• Too much consumerism is not a great thing . . .. The thing I don't like about shopping is the manipulation. Advertising tries to make new desires for you. -Ethan, USA
  
• It's very stimulating ? I think vaguely of something and then there are so many options, always someplace new to try, someplace new to explore ? it's kind of like an adventure. -Karen, USA
  
• I think a balance is good . . . there's only so much joy you can get from consuming. -Bryan, USA
  
• The people who say, "Buying things will make you happy," use the money from the things they sell to spread their message. Every purchase requires work to earn the money. I don't like working. -Matt, Shimane
  
  

• It's the excitement of not knowing what you'll find and then finding something unexpected . . . the thrill of the hunt. In heaps of junk, you find a diamond in the rough. -Ethan, USA
  
• I shop for pleasure. Buying things makes me happy and relaxed. I know it's not right but… -Ricky, Taipei
  
• With the time for shopping, I could sleep longer, work more, and read deeper. I could enjoy a little bit more when I eat and, I could ride the motorbike a little slower. -Borris, Pingtung
  
  

• For Christmas, we feel somehow obliged to buy something to our dearest people. When shopping, it's frustrating for me to when I have to try clothes which don't suit me at all. Trends are not democratic... -Gloria, Madrid
  
  

• The act of choosing things is a way of expressing yourself. Purchase will lead you to another productive activity ? if you make the best use of it. -Chizu, Osak
  
  

• In Japan we have an immense amount of disposable fashion, it seems to be made for people to buy it cheaply and get tired of it quickly. And people do the same thing with expensive fashion ? they buy something that would last 20 years and throw it away. -Karen, USA
• Many people do not make the best use of everything. Instead of using things for a long time, it is easier than ever to buy new things. We do not take good care of things because we can easily throw them away if they are dirty or old-fashioned. -Mr. Yamashita, Japan