Mallwatching
Malls used to be places where people would go to hang out, especially in the era before online shopping took over. They were social hubs, destinations in themselves. Think of department stores like Zellers (RIP), where shopping wasn’t just about buying things—it was an experience. But these days, with inflation making luxuries less accessible and time scarcer, malls have become ghostly spaces. No one really “hangs out” at malls anymore unless they’re killing time. Working at a mall near an airport adds a strange layer to this, a parade of faces from all over the world passing through, but rarely sticking around.
Here’s what I’ve observed over the past two years of working in this ultimately shrinking universe:
1.
Taking your child to the mall should be a chance to pull them away from their screens and give them a view of the real world. But here’s the twist: it's the parents who’ve turned into the new iPad kids. I can’t count the times I’ve seen moms letting their children roam the store freely while they zone out on their phones. The kids touch everything, grab stuff they’re not supposed to, and instead of a parent stepping in to guide them, they’re just busy scrolling through Instagram.
But here’s the thing – these kids are watching. They're mimicking. It’s not just about their parents checking out; it’s the fact that this behavior is becoming a model for them. The kids are absorbing this, learning that it’s normal to be glued to a screen even in places where interaction should matter. They’re inheriting the same habits—constant distraction, half-present parenting, mindless wandering. And honestly, it makes me sad. These kids are looking for attention, wanting to explore the mall and share that with their parents, but all they're getting is a view of their parent’s forehead as they stare at a phone.
This becomes my problem too, as an employee, when the kids run wild while their parents scroll. And let’s be honest, half the time these families don’t even buy anything! Why bring your child to the mall if you have zero intention of engaging with them or with the experience? Maybe hit the park next time and give your kid the attention they’re clearly craving.
2.
Malls have become a space where people kill time, especially when flights get delayed. Being near the airport, I’ve had conversations with everyone from flight attendants to students to random people attending niche events in the city. It’s like this weird transient community that I’m constantly a part of, and honestly, it’s kind of fascinating. I learn about festivals I didn’t know existed, or catch up on city happenings that weren’t even on my radar. It’s a reminder that the mall is still functioning as a space for discovery, just in a more accidental way now. It’s not a destination—it’s a layover.
3.
I was a high schooler once, so I get it. But bro, high schoolers in malls? They drive me nuts. They’re loud, they take up way too much space, and they seem to think that the entire mall is their personal playground. They'll come into stores, pick things up for two seconds, and leave them all wrong, not bothering to put anything back properly. And then there’s the lack of basic manners. It’s literally my job to greet you when you walk in, but half the time, they just ignore me and keep gossiping with their friends. This isn’t your hangout spot—it’s a place where people work, where things are bought and sold. Go to the food court, grab your bubble tea, and please, for the love of God, leave.
Shoutout to the few who say "hi" back—you deserve all the love. (The bar is low, as usual)
Malls aren’t what they used to be. They’ve become this weird transitional space—a mix of people killing time, aimless high schoolers, and parents too distracted by their phones to be present with their kids. It’s not the social hub it once was, and maybe that’s for the better. But working at one, I can’t help but feel like I’m watching something slowly fade away, even if it’s not entirely gone yet.
