Festive18: Time's A-Wastin'

I went to the mall to look around today, not needing anything particular, just wanted a little bit of that holiday experience. Eek. I haven't been in these stores in a good long while. Shopping has sure changed. The stores are so crowded. Not with people, because there weren't very many, but the aisles are so narrow, merchandise pushing at you from all directions, no straight paths through the stuff, nowhere to rest your eyes. Music blasting. Does anybody else remember empty space, elbow room, a less demanding atmosphere? Or am I so old that I'm remembering things that never happened?