Have You Met the Mall???

The mall. I went in thinking about the article by John Pahl,
and how he related it to a religious experience.
The first thing I noticed was the space. The halls were
extra wide and really well lit. I felt like they were trying to give people
space, similar to the space you look for when you go to have some time to be
alone with Jesus. Every shopper had plenty of space to walk, in pairs or
groups, or just be by themselves in their shopping experience.
The second thing I noticed was how high the ceilings were. The
only other place I’ve seen such high ceilings is in a cathedral. I would also assume
that was what the designers were going for too, when they built the mall. The feeling
of having lots of space gives people comfort, and is religion, not in part to
bring comfort to those who need it?
The next piece of interior design that vied for my attention
was the multitudes of trees lining the halls. There were around 25-30 all over
the mall. Even though they were fake, they gave off an essence of peace. Like you
were walking through a garden, contemplating life’s finer points, when really
you’re contemplating the better sales between stores.
I also noticed that the rest areas were carpeted. Periodically
placed along the halls there were small lounge areas with comfy reclining
chairs and carpet. To the weary shopper or husband, these places are a place a
rest and relaxation to get you fired up for the next round of shopping. Like the
wide spacious halls, these safe havens offer peace, some quiet time, and a
chance to regroup.
The mall is, upon closer inspection than the casual shopper,
a very religiousesque place indeed.