As someone who has been on all sides of clothes shopping—retail, wholesale, personal, professional and just for passion, I have come across many different types of shoppers. I thought it was time to outline different characteristics and define categories based on the traits I have personally witnessed. Disclaimer: There is no scientific background to my experiment, just a personal observation based on many years of experience.

The Terror: This is the person that gives the sales people a 'tude instead of respecting their professionalism, gets makeup and deodorant all over merchandise, and discards unwanted items on the dressing room floor in laundry pile fashion. I'm sure some of you have a little bit of a guilty feeling right now having been called out, so if this describes you the following is how to upgrade to a different shopper status.

1. A retail sales person should be considered a professional and is there to help you with all your shopping needs. This type professional may be hard to find in urban areas, but Nordstrom has built a reputation on such customer service. I know first hand that the boutiques in Middleburg intentionally seek out engaging, helpful people to work their stores. Ask questions and let them help you. You just may be surprised at how they can advise you to find exactly what you are looking for.

2. Make-up happens. If you accidentally soil merchandise, bring it to the attention of the sales professional. They will want to know instead of putting it back on the floor dirty.

3. Try on as many items as you want, but either hand them to the attentive sales person, drape them over a chair in the dressing room or loosely put them back on their hangers. It is the professional's job to put them back on the floor in a tidy fashion. To leave them in piles is as disrespectful as putting your gum under a restaurant table or an able bodied person taking a handicap parking space. Just don't do it.

The Dream: Achieving dream shopper status does not depend on the amount you spend! The dream shopper asks for help, respects the job of the person behind the counter and says "please" and "thank you". Just those small gestures promote a pleasurable shopping experience for all involved. Try it! It will make you glow from the inside out. If this is already you, I applaud your shopping style.

The In-between: This shopper can sometimes be called a "lurker", "the window shopper", or the "just looking" shopper who has something on their mind, but just won't ask for help. This is a totally respectable title. I, for one, sometimes just like to shop for sport and at other times, nothing begs to be adopted to my closet. If you don't try, you never buy, right? If you are the In-between, stay happily where you are, but keep in mind the rules.

We are fast approaching the busiest shopping season when the retailers are working tirelessly around the clock, wrapping your presents, and quite possibly giving up time with their loved ones to help you out. Be kind, remember pa