According to a poll conducted by ShopSmart, a shopping magazine published by Consumer Reports, 38 percent of couples spend more money when shopping together, and the majority make joint purchasing decisions. When couples do not make decisions together, however, women are the ones in charge more often than the men.

The poll also found that more than 74 percent of men and women say they shop together so they can spend time with each other. Yet these shopping excursions are not always pleasant -- more than one in four couples (26 percent) has had an argument in public while shopping together.

"Shopping alone might be less of a headache, but if you want to bring along your partner, a little strategizing can make all the difference," said Lisa Lee Freeman, editor-in-chief of ShopSmart.

According to the survey:

• The majority of couples (84 percent) shop together at least sometimes, and most enjoy doing so as 85 percent always or often stay together while shopping at a particular store.

• Nearly 80 percent of men and women do at least some of their shopping without their significant other.

• 43 percent of women like to shop with men to have someone help carry bags. Women dislike it because they feel rushed or pressured (53 percent) and their spouse has no patience or gets bored (51 percent).

• Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of men who shop with their spouse or significant other believe that it takes more time to shop together than on their own. Only 36 percent of women agree.

• 26 percent of men say they shop with their significant other because they are made to do so. Men's top complaints about women are that they shop for stuff they don't need (50 percent), it takes too long (49 percent), and women can't make a decision (44 percent).

• Women feel they are more likely than their significant other to ask for help (76 percent vs. 37 percent of men), use a coupon (75 percent vs. 32 percent of men) and make a return (72 percent vs. 34 percent of men).

• Men feel that they are more likely to leave without buying anything (65 percent vs. 39 percent of women), haggle for a better price (51 percent vs. 45 percent of women) and research purchases (52 percent vs. 45 percent of women).

• 75 percent of men and women say they've held hands while shopping, and 46 percent have had other displays of affection.

• Arguments are typically equally won by men and women, but 22 percent of men who shop with their significant other believe she wins more arguments about what to buy or how much to spend.

• 25 percent of men and women say they've been embarrassed by their partner in a store.

• 32 percent of couples have lost their significant other while shopping, with 12 percent who have resorted to paging them over a loudspeaker. Six percent of men and women admit to abandoning their significant other at a store.

Shopping tips for couples:

• Do scope out things ahead of time, then bring a partner to narrow choices and make a decision.

• Do shop in stores with chairs and magazines so your partner can rest.

• Don't bring your partner along for browsing expeditions.

• Don't go to stores during the busiest times.

• Do make sure that both members of the couple want to be shopping, or don't do it that day.

• Do let your partner go off and do his or her thing.