I haven’t posted anything on dumb behavior for a while so here are two unrelated stories. For those who remember the whole germophobe talk, I wouldn’t even want to think about what would’ve happened if these skinny dippers having fun in a city reservoir weren’t caught…

2 caught skinny dipping in Portland reservoir
Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. — Two people caught skinny dipping in a Portland reservoir that is a main source of water for the city nearly caused officials to dump millions of gallons of water and close the facility.

Ryan Langsdorf, 28, and Ashley Moyer, 23, were found in one of two sections of the Mount Tabor Reservoir at about 3 a.m. Saturday during a spell of unusually hot weather. They were cited for trespassing.

But the two were swimming in a section of the reservoir that was not being used. Had that section been in use, water bureau officials say they would have had to dump millions of gallons of water from that pool and possibly shut off the reservoir.

Earlier this year, millions of gallons of water were dumped when someone put latex paint, a construction cone and hundreds of fliers into the water.
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And what’s up with men getting arrested for various activities using thongs? I’ve come across many stories with this theme…

Man accused of strolling in thong, fake breasts
Associated Press

MANCHESTER, Conn. — A Manchester man has been arrested after he allegedly strolled along Interstate 291 wearing nothing but a thong, fake breasts and a wig. Police say they received several calls about the man, which prompted an hour-long search over the weekend.

Police said they found the suspect Saturday fully clothed and collecting cans behind a business in Manchester. Police said they also found a wig and fake breasts in the man’s car.

The man, 42, was charged with disorderly conduct and simple trespass. He’s free after posting $2,500 bail.

Information from: The Hartford Courant, www.courant.com

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And here’s an interesting story by The Washington Post on compulsive buyers that also caught my eye. Maybe it was the word Coach in the first paragraph… (At least I said Coach, and not Gucci or Louis Vuitton!)

It made me wonder if we really are aware of our shopping habits or are many of us in denial…

WASHINGTON — Shannon Hassemer went on a shopping spree when she got her first credit card in college. Tired of owning just one pair of tennis shoes, she quickly filled her closet with luxury items from designers such as Gucci, Coach and Louis Vuitton.

“I wanted to fit in,” she said. “I was tired of looking like a boy.”

It was a boost to her self-esteem, which she describes as particularly low. Over the years, shopping became a source of comfort. It was a daily habit. When she had children, she started buying them expensive clothing. Now at 36, shopping has become a source of pain. She has enrolled in a debt-consolidation program to pay down the $35,000 she owes on her credit cards, and she is getting therapy once a week.

“When I’m unhappy, I want to shop to make myself happy,” said the mother of two from Bakersfield, Calif. “I’m happy for a brief moment and then angry with myself because I’ve spent money.”

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“It’s the ideology of America that you are what you own,” said Lorrin Koran, a professor of psychiatry at Stanford University’s medical school who co-authored the 2006 American Journal of Psychiatry study. “You’re encouraged to identify yourself and value yourself based on what you own or buy or display.”

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The story goes on to share how some compulsive shoppers have jeopardized their retirement savings and entire net worth.

According to a study in the American Journal of Psychiatry, 5.8 percent of Americans are compulsive buyers. They buy things they don’t necessarily need or can’t afford to the point that it affects their relationships, their finances and/or their health.

Even mounting bills aren’t enough to keep some hard-core shopaholics from spending money on clothing, vacations or meals at fine restaurants, psychiatrists and financial planners said.

Have you ever monitored your shopping habits? Do you buy things for instant gratification only to regret the purchase later?

Sales can be the worst. I’ve been scolded in the past for buying something just because it’s on sale. Almost everything is “on sale” nowadays (just walk through a Macy’s) and could be a trap for you to unnecessarily spend money. I’m good about not having to shop (except at Costco, where I can go a bit overboard…) often without feeling sad. But if I do shop, I like to go home with something and the sale often justifies the purchase.

Is shopping your favorite pastime? Is our nation obsessed with material goods and designer names? What’s your favorite brand(s)? What sales can you just not resist? I’m always amazed when I see teen girls sporting brand-name bags and clothes…