I love that phrase "looting is the first stage of shopping" but I really loved the Brit soldier who said "these poor people are looting rubbish"
I love P.J. O'Rourke.
"Looting is the first stage of shopping" -- something very fundamental about that. And it's why people prefer to shop, given the alternative, yet until some nieghbor or friend has the thing -- by hook or crook -- they wouldn't be shopping for it.
"Looting rubbish" -- Yeesh, that's what yard sales are for.