6 Ways To Survive Harrods

The fact that Harrods in London is one of the busiest, craziest most jam-packed shopping spots in the world probably hasn’t escaped many people. It probably also goes without saying that you can walk into Harrods, eat an entire day’s worth of meals, plus brunch, happy hour and evening cocktails, buy a new wardrobe, furnish your home, buy enough gifts to prevent your ever having to shop again for at least a year AND see some of the most atrociously-dressed people on the planet – all within the store’s daily hours of operation.

I have a picture of me giving the thumbs-up outside the Knightsbridge store, which aside from me looking like a total imbecile, is just too chipper to accurately relay the soul-crushing experience that happened once I stepped within the confines of the department store. No sooner had I escaped the perfumed clutches of the makeup counter girls than I was launched into Harrods-Land: and subsequently buried in teddy bears. I spent the rest of my day thinking up the following ways to survive a day there…if one has to go (and really, you DO have to at least see the place, even if you don’t have a shopping ”mission”). So without further ado – the Harrods Survival Guide, CGTravels-style:

1). Eat First and Eat Well

Sustenance is the most important tool you can have in your belt. Not that there isn’t some kind of edible or potable on every floor – actually, you are surrounded by food. But your best bet to tackling the store and actually enjoying yourself is to have some hearty snacks or even a whole meal before you launch yourself into the depths of mall. The best (and most obvious) place to go is the Food Halls – room after opulent room of every kind of cuisine and item you could possibly imagine.

A personal favorite is the Iberico Ham House – a Spanish bar where you can get an incredible glass of Malbec, thick and creamy gazpacho and an incredible cheese plate complete with fruit and fresh baguette slices. Everything you need to really get into the thick of it.

2. Proper Mental Preparation

Walking through a maze of pricey fabrics, ceramics you’re afraid you’re going to break and chocolate temptation around every corner requires an inordinate amount of mental strength, willpower and above all, patience. If you don’t take your time and soak it all in OR go in, buy what you need and leave – you will die. The frenzy of shoppers, the ignorance of tourists, the mass of humanity and the insurmountable collection of items for purchase will overwhelm you. It can surely be an enjoyable experience – if you accept the insanity and roll with it calmly.

3. Get a Gift for Someone Else

Any woman can tell you there’s no better way to justify being a shopaholic than to return with a present for someone else, especially the person who might frown upon your day of indulgence and/or with whom you may share a bank account/credit card. It’s hard for most people not to melt if you hand them a nicely-wrapped package at day’s end that says, “I was out shopping for me, but really thinking about YOU the whole time.” Plus your generosity will work wonders to alleviate that buyer’s remorse you might be feeling.

4. Relax with Tea

Tea in England is a must, though cliché, and the harried pace of Harrods will require some relaxing moments to survive. I almost fainted when I saw a Ladureé outside of Paris, tucked comfortably into Harrods’ ground floor. Forget the macarons (though they’re tasty)…their signature L’heure du thé comes with pastries so divine you’ll probably forget to heed the next item on the list…

5. Know Your Exchange Rates

I’ve always liked the British pound. That squiggly “L”-shape next to a number looks so much prettier than our boring American dollar sign. Plus if you’re like me and remember the days when our currencies were much more comparable, you still aren’t quite used to realizing that multiplying the pound by a mere 1.5 creates a much larger number that is actually unfavorable with that dollar sign in front of it. Remember our poor dollar and save yourself sticker shock when you get your bank statement and see the conversion. Oy.

6. Admire the Glory that is Harrods

Rather than let yourself get overwhelmed, just wander. Seriously, outside of Italy, I have never seen such artful displays…really the store is visually stunning.

And fun items lurk in corners…like the Lego Man!