Men, women still follow ancient rituals while shopping

WASHINGTON - Men and women still follow ancient rituals while shopping, says a new study.

For instance, during the last-minute holiday rush, men seek their prized item, pay, and leave without much ado. Women study the fabrics, colour, texture and price.

The hunting and gathering ritual of yesteryear continues today in malls around the world, says Daniel Kruger of the School of Public Health, University of Michigan.

Gathering edible plants and fungi is traditionally done by women. In modern terms, think of filling a basket by selecting one item at a time, he said, according to a Michigan statement.

Women in foraging societies return to the same patches that previously yielded successful harvests, and usually stay close to home and use landmarks as guides.

Foraging is a daily activity, often social and can include young children if necessary. Women must be very adept at choosing just the right colour, texture and smell to ensure food safety and quality.

They also must time harvests, and know when a certain depleted patch will regenerate and yield good harvest again.

In modern terms, women are much more likely to know when a specific type of item will go on sale, for example, than men. Women also spend much more time choosing the perfect gift.

Men on the other hand, often have a specific item in mind and want to get in, get it, and get out. In ancestral times, it was critical to get meat home as quickly as possible, Kruger said.