10 Things You’d Do at the Mall Even If You Had No Money
Here's a throwback to the fun mall activities we all did when shopping wasn’t even on the agenda.
- Chris Graciano
- 2 min read
For many, the mall was less about spending money and more about hanging out. It was the ultimate social hub where you could kill hours without buying a single thing. From people-watching to free samples, the mall gave us endless entertainment for free.
1. Try Out Perfume Samples
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The beauty counters were like a free playground of scents. You’d walk out smelling like 10 different colognes or perfumes.
2. Play with Gadgets in Electronics Stores
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From testing out headphones to poking around demo laptops, electronics shops were a hands-on experience. You didn’t need cash to enjoy the latest tech.
3. Grab Food Court Samples
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Those little toothpicks of chicken teriyaki or pretzel bites were the best part of passing through the food court. Some people even made a full “meal” out of them.
4. Watch People Ice Skate
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If the mall had a rink, it was free entertainment. Watching people glide or wipe out was endlessly amusing. It felt like a live show you didn’t have to pay for.
5. Sit in Massage Chairs
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Furniture stores and random kiosks always had those demo massage chairs. Even a quick two minutes felt luxurious. It was the perfect way to rest tired feet.
6. Play Arcade Games Without Paying
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Even if you didn’t have tokens, just mashing buttons on the demo screens was fun. Sometimes, you’d catch a free play left behind.
7. Browse Bookstores
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Flipping through magazines or checking out the latest releases was its own adventure. Bookstores felt like quiet escapes inside the chaos of the mall.
8. Try on Clothes for Fun
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The fitting rooms doubled as fashion runways for you and your friends. Even if you had no intention of buying, the laughs made it worthwhile.
9. People-Watch from the Benches
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Sitting with a pretzel and just watching the crowd was a pastime on its own. You could spot couples, families, and groups of friends living their best mall life.
10. Ride the Escalators Just Because
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Going up and down escalators with no real destination was strangely entertaining. It felt like a free ride in the middle of the mall.