10 ways to save money when shopping with a woman

Helmut Meckelburg, general manager of the Taj Palace Hotel, Dubai, lists his top ten ways to save money when shopping.

Choose the 'right' day: Make sure to go shopping on the day which is preferred by other women too as it provides good networking opportunities. This way, she'll spend valuable time chatting with friends, not shopping.

Use delaying tactics: Make sure you do not arrive too early at the mall. I think this is a strategy employed by many men. Why else would malls get so full of people shortly before closing?

Select your cards carefully: Carry a credit card which is almost reaching its credit limit and don't forget to leave your ATM card at home.

Confuse her: When she is close to selecting an item, show her a better option or convince her that she could get a better bargain elsewhere. The idea of saving those extra bucks which will later go towards the purchase of a handbag she's been saving for will entice her to change her mind ... and put off the purchase.

Make wise moves: Map your route 'properly' – take the longest route to the mall. If this does not work, have a friend call and tell her there is a 'super sale' going on in some distant mall. Set off for the mall on the road that you are sure is going to have bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Get her involved in your purchase: Involve her in the purchase of that latest laptop you always wanted to buy. For those who know about such gizmos, you can spend almost a day with the sales staff discussing the product and the various options.

Involve your friends: Plan ahead with your friends so that you all land up at the mall at the same time. When they show up, feign a look of surprise and excitement. Spend a good time talking with them. Of course, involve her in your conversation. Start planning a picnic with friends and their families ...

Get her a gift: Gift her a nice blouse in the colour you know she detests. When you both go to the mall, suggest that she exchange the blouse first. The simple task of choosing the colour she likes will take hours ... and by the time you are through, it will be too late to check out the other stores.

Shop at a hypermarket: Take her to a hypermarket where there are long queues and no serious danger of her picking up items which could damage your bank balance.

Get 'lost' in the crowd: If none of the above works, conveniently disappear into the crowd and return to her side when the stores are about to close. However, in case you really get lost, make an announcement over the mall's PA system and ask her to meet you in a location which is strategically placed ... close to a check-out counter.