Non-Food Shopping

Malls are the places where many Americans go to shop for all kinds of goods. A mall is a large building containing many different kinds of stores, including big department stores and small specialty stores. Specialty stores sell everything from electronics to cosmetics to imported coffee. Malls are usually indoors, but some “strip malls” are outdoors.

Department Stores are large stores where you may purchase items such as jewelry, perfume, clothing, shoes, appliances, televisions, radios, bicycles, furniture, etc. You may also find some personal care and food products, as well as film processing in department stores. While most merchandise is kept on easily accessible shelves, some small valuable items (such as watches, cameras and jewelry) may be kept in locked glass cabinets. You may ask to see and examine most of these items. The procedure for purchasing merchandise is the same as the one in most other stores: you bring the merchandise to a cashier's counter; the cashier totals the cost of the merchandise; and you then pay the cashier. The cashier usually hands you the merchandise in a plastic or paper bag.

Discount Stores such as Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and Target can be found in most cities and towns. These are very large stores that usually offer department store items and some grocery items at lower prices. They are able to offer lower prices because they offer fewer services and less attractive shopping areas.

Campus bookstores carry textbooks required for classes, as well as supplies such as notebooks, pencils, pens, folders, etc. Campus bookstores also carry stationery and gift items.

Drugstores sell medications. There are two types of drugs available, over-the-counter and prescription only. Prescription drugs require written permission from a doctor in order to obtain them. Over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin, cold medicine and stomach medications can be bought without first seeing a doctor and are available at almost any type of food or drug store. If you get a prescription from a doctor, you should go to a place which has a pharmacy to get your medications. Drug stores in the U.S. often carry more than pharmaceutical supplies. You may also find personal care products, perfume, non-prescription drugs, film, cigarettes, small appliances, greeting cards, and gift items. Some drug stores also carry some food products and have film processing services.

Liquor Stores. In some states, it is legal to sell beer and wine in supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores and delis. In other states, beer, wine and liquor are sold only in liquor stores. Liquor stores in many states are closed on Sundays. State laws restrict the purchase of alcoholic beverages to people aged 21 and over. Stores, restaurants and other establishments are subject to strict fines and penalties if they sell alcoholic beverages to people under 21. Therefore, in order to purchase these items, you may be asked to show a picture identification card. Also, it is illegal to have an opened container of beer, wine or liquor in a car or other public places like sidewalks, parks and buildings. Alcoholic beverages must be consumed in private homes, in restaurants, and other such places which have a license to serve liquor.

Questions:

1. What is the difference between malls, department and discount stores? Are there any stores of these kinds in your city? Do they have similar or different features compared to the American stores?

2. Are there any campus stores in your city? Where do students (ordinary people) usually buy books for studies?

3. Do you need a prescription to buy medicine at American drugstores? What about the situation in Russia?

4. Where can people in Russia buy liquor? Where do Americans buy it?

5. How do laws in the US restrict purchase of alcohol? Are there any similar laws in Russia?

2.6. a) Put each of the following words or phrases in its correct place in the passages below.

Дата добавления: 2014-12-27