City Smart / How to thrive in the urban environment of Southern California : Up Against the Mall

As three and four times the normal number of shoppers squeeze into stores, the holiday shopping season approaches its frenzied pinnacle.

Simple gift searches often become aggressive, elbow-wielding battles over a spot in line or an item in short supply.

“People are just so time-starved, especially at this time of year,” said Vanetta Rogers, a Sears spokeswoman. “They are on a mission to find the best quality for the best price.”

Sometimes it gets ugly.

Suggestions from local department store experts for keeping your cool and minimizing frustration while shopping:

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* Don’t go to department stores to browse aimlessly or look at holiday decorations--you will annoy shoppers scrambling to buy gifts.

* Before you hit the stores, prepare a list of people and ideas to avoid feeling overwhelmed and getting frustrated.

* Wear comfortable clothes and shoes; bring water and snacks.

* Have a gripe about store conditions? Tell an employee--not fellow shoppers, who don’t need your bad vibes.

* Give yourself plenty of time, and avoid peak shopping hours, especially noon to 5 p.m. on weekends.

* Check your attitude at the door: Extra-long lines and disheveled merchandise will be unavoidable through the end of the year. Deciding to be patient can make shopping decidedly less painful.

“Turn to that person who has a growl on their face and smile or say good morning,” said Bullock’s spokeswoman Ann Fitzpatrick. “You might get slugged, but sometimes a little joviality goes a long way.”