Help me recall a word

I recently ran accross a french word or expression for someone who spends a lot of time in a shop and takes up a lot of the owner's time but then leaves without buying anything. Can you help me remember what this is?

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

EducatorPermalink Reply by George Hunt on January 4, 2013 at 7:37pm

We had an expression for that.It was tw's !

I don't know if it was common currency or just something we made up between ourselves.

I have no idea what an equivalent expression might be in French (a Gege?)

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Chantal Savignat on January 4, 2013 at 7:54pm

I have no idea about this expression. it's not used currently.

the opposite is more frequent.

▶ Reply

EducatorPermalink Reply by George Hunt on January 4, 2013 at 7:58pm

The opposite?

Someone who comes in to a shop and very quickly makes a very large (or any size) purchase (without requiring very much assistance) ?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Chantal Savignat on January 4, 2013 at 8:07pm

yes !

"a shopaholic" in english = "une accro du shopping" en français

this expression is used

▶ Reply

EducatorPermalink Reply by George Hunt on January 5, 2013 at 12:36pm

or like Janet Leigh in Psycho when she has to buy a getaway car from the puzzled salesman..

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Chantal Savignat on January 5, 2013 at 4:35pm

oh i don't remember but it's a good idea to see again this film, in english (with subtitles of course ;-)) ... thanks.

▶ Reply

EducatorPermalink Reply by George Hunt on January 5, 2013 at 5:32pm

Not sure if you want your English corrected but it is

oh iI don't remember but it's a good idea to see again this film again , in Eenglish (with subtitles of course ;-)) ... thanks.

In the scene in question Janet Leigh has stolen (broken a confidence) the week's takings from her place of work and has left town in her car. She drives through the night and in the morning is awoken at the side of the road by a policeman who follows her car into town.

She stops at a car dealership and buys a new car from the salesman with the stolen cash that she has in her hand bag.

Since she is feeling guilty (and there is a policeman openly looking at her from across the street) she is in a great hurry to complete the purchase without the usual bargaining or taking a test drive.