Just me or are malls a spawn from the deepest bowels of hell

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Any particular reason you aren't?

Because I don't like using my card online. Even things like PayPal isn't to be trusted, as I knew someone who's account got hacked into through PayPal or something. I've worked so hard to build up the money I have saved in my bank, and I don't want my money to be stolen through online banking. I know you can get all these antivirus updates, but even though I have Avast and try to keep it up to date, I've still had 5 viruses in the 3 years I've had my laptop, which resulted in a computer doctor coming out to get rid of the virus because there was no other way.

Sorry, I know the basics of a computer but when it comes to viruses and scams, I am very thick.

i had to be in a mall a while ago and i didn't mind it overly much at the time but when i got back home i was exhausted. somehow being around all that smell and sound and sensation and consumerism took a lot of energy out of me i guess

Valid concerns, IMO. I don't usually buy online except through Amazon (or Amazon Payments which a lot of independent retailers use), because I'm nervous about giving my bank details out to loads of different people. Paypal doesn't look very well protected to me. For the same reason I pay the utility companies direct from online banking rather than via their websites - online banking is usually relatively secure - if I try to set up a new recipient, they phone me to confirm it first, and they won't let me log in from a device they don't recognise. They've even given me a little plastic gizmo that generates unique login codes for every visit. Another safety measure is to open an account specifically for online payments and to only have a bit of money in there, so that if worst comes to worst, at least they can't steal very much. Rather like not taking your life savings on a shopping trip. And the banks in the UK compensate fraud victims, as long as they've been reasonably careful. I'm so paranoid that it scares me to use an ATM, in case I get mugged as the cash comes out of the slot.

Even so, I still don't entirely trust the online system. I've never noticed a virus on my computers, but before I access my bank account or Amazon, I always do a full system reload, just in case somebody's put a keylogger or something on my drive. Difficult to balance the horrors of real-life shopping with those of the online alternative, but in my case online seems to have the edge. So far.

I don't really mind going to malls. I go looking for specific things and notice little else. The one thing I do like about malls is that I can go to one location, park, and go to multiple retailers under one roof. I hate having to go to one place, then drive someplace else for another thing, then drive to yet another location. That really gets old fast.

Could happen of course, but I'm more worried about skimming, as there have been so many incidents over the last years where a fake interaction surface has been installed, stealing your card info and often with a camera recording your PIN code.

I avoid malls if I can. Same here, too much noise and activity going on. I visit one maybe a few times a year.

I am, however, very interested in shopping malls when they die off; their history, why they went downhill, things like that. There's actually a very interesting story behind Victor Gruen, the man who created the archetypal shopping mall, and how it was only part of his dream for building better and more integrated communities in the U.S. Then the city planners and retailers turned them into something else. Still, I have to admit that compared to the ugly, soulless big-box stores that represent the newest wave of consumerism, those old shopping malls weren't so bad after all.

It's definitely not just you. I avoid malls like the plague.

Funny you said that. I've worked on a HVAC automation system for a big shopping mall and they actually have to turn the AC on during the busy Christmas season. It's not just the heat coming off the bodies, but the sweat and hot steaming breath as well. ICYW: The AC also act as a dehumidifier as well. It can be -20 outside and the AC is on full blast.

Yes, I've heard of those overlay things, and I always take a careful look at the keypad before using it, just in case. Though it would be very hard for the bank to get out of reimbursing customers thus stung.

And let's not forget being tormented by loudspeakers playing pop stars singing Christmas songs off-key. GRRRRRRR they're being paid millions of dollars, why can't they sing on key?? Or else they do that electronic distortion thing to their voices that's so popular with non-talented singers these days. I'd much rather hear a classically trained singer singing traditional music. Definitely wearing the earplugs this year.

I like shopping in malls. I enjoy looking at and possibly buying interesting/delicious/useful things there. However, I agree with some others that the noise, kids etc spoil the joy.

Last time I went into my nearest shopping mall, there was still no sign of muzak. Bet that doesn't last.

Here is an integrated community in Connecticut

http://www.bluebacksquare.com/about-us

Blue Back Square
In recent years, large areas of the community have gone through significant transformations. Opening in 2007, Blue Back Square was a pioneer mix-used development in the Center that blended retail and residential living space on a large scale. The five-building complex contains 220,000 square feet (20,000 m2) of ground floor retail space and 120 luxury space. Medical office space encompasses 137,000 square feet (12,700 m2), and other professional offices will total another 62,500 square feet (5,810 m2) square feet. A six-screen movie theatre as well as two 500-space parking garages were also built.[17] Named after Noah Webster's popular spelling book, Blue-Back Speller, the development has significantly altered the Center and furthered West Hartford's status as a regional dining and shopping destination, a role that the capital city, with a population twice as large, formerly played.[18]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Hart ... onnecticut

It depends on if its crowded or not.

I am fortunate to have a 'personal shopper'(a voluntary one) and so I almost never shop or go to any mall/store.
I despise malls and get a tension headache every time I go.
My sensorium feels like a victim of sensory violence and so I avoid it whenever possible.