Temptation

 Most of us can resist temptation. To a point. Lots of times, if we are tempted enough, there's something about us that wears down and we stand on the brink of falling or failing and are tempted. Sometimes the temptations turn out as satisfying and at other times, they trouble us. "Out there " in the present land of online shopping, we are pegged. Once we enter into that realm and shop often on favorite sites, they know us. They know our likes and dislikes and if we linger on certain items, or go often enough to them, view certain styles or colours or models, our gazings are recorded. It takes a modicum of courage to resist all the little nag ads that we see inserted into other sites we go to. Aha, there's that sweater we thought about once. Or wow, how did that company know that I passed up this item. Hmmm, maybe now I can afford it. Or perhaps, riled, I think, "that's the last time I'll shop on that site and furthermore, I am going to unsubscribe!" In surprise ads, our first names are frequently used and we are reminded that the item we looked at previously, is still waiting for us. When we shop anywhere, on the street or in our homes, we spend a deal of time sorting and looking and pondering about what we are about to buy. Or should. In a store, we can leave and go out the door, but at home on our computers, where we spend a lot of hours lately, our cyber retailers don't forget us. We can click off but it doesn't end there.  Online sellers have memories that are one hundred percent. When you shop online, joining a site or enlisting in their promos such as newsletters or discount clubs, you are going to hear more. You're on the sellers lists. I bought a cast iron fry pan once and there is no way I can contact this company to stop sending me ads. I don't need Texas barbecue equipment or a bevy of big old cast iron anything.  Actually, they go right into my spam file now and that's easy enough.to empty. On your daily emails you'll find things like "we still have that bleep you looked at" or "we see you bought bleep and you might enjoy this similar one". Your first name is used and you are flattered as one of their "best" customers. One of the largest online shopping sites, has a subscription aspect that offers you the "convenience" of  a membership, with a new bleep automatically every month or so. Not a good membership because that little item will be there faithfully and you'll have paid for it whether you ran out or not. To unjoin is a hassle. It's a bit like my printer company that very kindly offers me their ink just about the time mine they surmise runs out. I didn't join because I don't run out at that rate.  And, as with any persuasive sales gimmicks, you learn to say a firm "no". My emails are too many and most of them, admittedly, are shopping sites, not friends or family. And that's okay with me because I am a window shopper. But I am not easily tempted. You could call my addiction, that of window shopping, Screen Peeping, Online Lolling, Mouse Meanders or some other such term. Being a Covid insider, it's merely a friendly stroll along a world shopper lane with no money spent. Anyway, who always buys  what they need only? We don't need automatic toothbrushes or rice cookers or cleanser toilet lids or scented candles or fairy lights. The best part of online advertising is that you can click it off very quickly. It's not like those annoying phone calls that take you away from what you're doing because you think it might be an important call. Hanging up on the caller who tells you to Stopwhatyouaredoing! is easy enough to stop. Let 'em leave a message. Your time is your precious choice.  Temptation is expensive but it's all yours, and its banishing is as easy as one click.