Narcissistic Shopping Habit #4: Public Performances and Scapegoating
Number four, they perform in the store and use you as their audience or scapegoat. Have you ever had a narcissist stage a drama in a store? They’ll loudly argue with the cashier, mock the employees, or act superior about everything—from product quality to store layout. When things do not go their way, they use you as the punching bag. “I told you this was a bad store. You should have stopped me from coming here. You never help, do you? You just stand there like a statue.” On the flip side, if they are in a charming mood, they will turn it into a performance, complimenting strangers, acting extra generous, paying for others, or pretending to be the kind and compassionate person that they actually are not, while ignoring and humiliating you in private. It is literally like watching someone with multiple personalities inside of them; they put on a heavy mask just long enough to fool others, but when it slips, you are the one who gets blamed for breaking the illusion.
Narcissistic Shopping Habit #5: Money as a Weapon
Number five, they use money talk as a leash to drag you into guilt, fear, and helplessness. Money becomes a weapon when you shop with a narcissist. They will remind you how hard they work, how much they sacrifice, and how much you cost them. Even if you are earning too, they will find a way to make it seem like they are carrying the burden of your existence. They do not want you to feel secure or free when it comes to money. They want you to feel indebted, cautious, or afraid. Shopping becomes a ritual of shame. Essentially, you will start second-guessing everything you pick up. You’ll feel the urge to explain your choices, to seek permission to avoid triggering another meltdown. Over time, you lose the ability to buy things for yourself with confidence. That is how deep the conditioning goes. The worst part is that if you do not buy anything, they will accuse you of being boring, unattractive, or not taking care of yourself. It is a lose-lose game designed to keep you stuck.
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