The Flaneur in Lenox Mall

          
          Atlanta natives and tourists would do anything to avoid the heat, so today, Lenox indoor mall is packed with customers. At the height of summer humidity, anything with air conditioning is a great escape. Within moments of walking into the complex, the air is filled with the smell of pretzels and perfume. Little children run holding their mother’s hand begging loudly for a sweet treat. 

           Suddenly, loud hip-hop music diverts the children’s attention and the mother sighs. The child goes running off in another direction toward the video game console being set up in the middle of the corridor. However, it’s not only the children that are attracted to this entertainment. Adults, wearing anything from a suit to sweatpants, surround the area. The crowd watches as grown men begin to jump, do tricks and laugh. Some completely ignore the commotion probably thinking, “what could be so exciting at 3:30 in the afternoon on a Sunday?” 

            On the other side of the mall there are customers on a mission. Teenagers zoom past with their clique to make their way to Forever 21 and Urban Outfitters. Later they’ll walk out with at least three large bags of new skirts, shirts, and shoes. The older women stroll into David Yurman while the same young girls stare longingly through the window. Four security guards dressed in all black and riding Segways give each customer an up and down glance. After a moment of judgment, they move on to the next person. They seem to be comfortable with the commotion.

One would forget that Atlanta is in the middle of the traditional South when transsexuals walk by in hot pink feather boas. Men dressed in red leather mini skirts and fake blue eyelashes compliment others and gauge the reaction. Often times they laugh and say, “I know you think I’m beautiful!”

            I turn another corner and watch as teenagers flock to the local Starbucks. An array of frappuccinos and iced coffees are made while two young adolescents pretend to fall in love and do their calculus homework. A girl slowly moves her hand towards the boy but he doesn’t notice. Clearly she’d been waiting all afternoon to do this. She takes a big breath of defeat. We all miss middle school, don't we?

            Lenox feels like a maze. People walk every which way and beyond each corner is another row of stores. Victoria’s Secret is painted bright pink, Steve Madden all black, and Macy’s in red. Vendors stand outside the store asking permission to advertise. “Would you like to try our new wrinkle cream? It makes you look 20 years younger!” or “You’ve never used a hair straightener like this before!” Each one strategically placed, waiting for the one person who will say yes. Atlanta natives roll their eyes at these vendors. That’s how you can tell them apart from the tourists.

Young, old, skinny, fat, in love or single – everybody is carrying a shopping bag. No matter who you are, a Sunday spent shopping is a Sunday well spent.