5 Rules I Wish All Antiques Shoppers Would Follow

I was strolling through the aisles of my favorite antiques mall recently and had a revelation—shopping for antiques is a meditative experience. It’s more than just shopping—it requires focus, intention, vision, problem solving, and imagination. I prefer to shop alone so that I can move at my own pace, spending just as much time as I want, without having to hurry along for anyone else’s sake.

That being said, when you enjoy antiques shopping as much as I do, it also makes you starkly aware of the bad behaviors of other shoppers that can tarnish your experience. Here are the top 5 rules that I wish all antiques shoppers would practice.

Give Shoppers Space

One of my biggest pet peeves is when somebody barges into the booth I’m in. Those spaces are small to begin with; add two adult humans and we’re looking at a fire code violation. If someone’s in a booth that I want to peruse, I’ll simply move on to the next one, then double back when they vacate the premises. I don’t like to feel rushed when I’m shopping, and I don’t want others to feel rushed, either.

Keep It Quiet

One time I was antiques shopping, and there was a lady who had dragged her husband along. I swear on Dolly Parton’s wig she picked up every item in the stall and narrated it to him. “Oh, look at this porcelain figurine! The cat’s ears are so exquisite. And look at the whiskers…it’s simply adorable. [puts down figurine] “Oh Gerald, look at this skillet! I wonder if it’s cast iron. It looks like cast iron. It’s a little grimy. I bet they cooked lots of cornbread in it. [puts down skillet] “Oh my, this oversized carboard box is packed with monogrammed cocktail napkins. This one says MAH…I wonder what that stands for? Mary Ann Hoffsteader? Melissa Amelie Hornblower? Margaret Agnes Haynes? This one says DAG…”  I couldn’t take anymore and had to leave the store. When antiquing, pretend like you’re at a library, and shop in silence. Commentary is for sports, not shopping.

Avoid Bringing Your Kids

That is, if you can. Antiques stores are really no place for kids. (Unless, of course, your youngsters have voiced an early passion for thrifting!) Most often than not, it’s just row after row of old junk and nothing to play with except scary, raggedy old baby dolls that are sure to haunt their nightmares. Bringing kids to antiques stores not only makes them miserable, it makes the serious shoppers miserable, too. Plus, there’s the whole “you break it, you buy it” thing. I know sometimes you can’t help it, but please try.

Bargain Politely

If an item costs less than $100, don’t try to haggle with the dealer—especially if you’re at an antiques mall. The person at the cash register has to stop helping other customers to try and track down the booth owner, which holds up the line and frustrates everybody. I understand wanting to get a good deal, but I don’t want to impose on someone unless I’m making a significant purchase. Make the imposition worth their time.

Clean Up Your Mess

To be fair, some booths at antiques stores are a hot mess, with junk piled high like bric-a-brac Jenga. But many booth owners take great care on their displays and spend their free time arranging their wares just so. It’s totally fine if you have to move things around to get to the good stuff, but snap a picture with your phone before you do, and put things back in place when you’re done. Be like a Boy Scout and leave the booth better than you found it.

Of course, etiquette is a highly subjective concept, and we all have rules we love to break. What antiques shopping etiquette rules do you love to ignore?