You Don't Want to Go Shopping With Me - Ever

I know it's been awhile since I posted anything, and to be quite honest, since becoming a mom, I haven't had much to blog about other than mommy things, and I really don't want to be a complete mommy blogger. I mean a little bit here and there is great, but all out mommy blogging, well, it doesn't appeal to everyone does it?

So I thought I would share with you some of my shopping experiences.  We can all relate to shopping.  Only thing is, I can be a bit of a nightmare to shop with.  Oh yes. 

I don't know what it is, maybe it's just a matter of getting older and finding I have less patience and expect better service (especially since I used to work in retail), or if something happened during and after pregnancy that loosened my tongue to express what I really think. I have three separate scenarios to share with you.  They may not be particularly funny to some but I think most people will say,"uh huh, yep.  Been there, thought that,wish I said that".  Here they are in no particular order:

The Shoe Store:
I went into a certain discount shoe store, one where I used to be able to purchase not bad looking shoes at a reasonable price.  I would go in regularly and began noticing that the style and quality of the shoes was going downhill.  They looked awful.  This went on for quite some time. Being as cranky as I was on this occasion and irritated that there was no good stock, I approached one of the sales associates there and told her that I really thought the shoes were quite awful, had been for quite some time, and to please pass that information on to their head offices.  She actually agreed with me and we commiserated over the lousy stock for a few minutes. It hasn't made a difference to their dreadful stock, but it felt good to say what had been on my mind for months on end and to have my point validated too.

The Maternity Store:
This is perhaps my favorite.  I mean, what was this girl thinking.  When I was 8 months pregnant, I went into a maternity store to find a skirt. I wanted one that came to just below my knees. I wasn't out to look like some sexy pregnant hootchie mamma.  The sales associate, who looked like she might have just graduated high school, came up to help me.  I specified what I wanted, very clearly.  Guess what she brings back.  Just guess....

Figure it out yet??

I tell you, this thing looked like a cumberbund.  My jaw dropped.  And I said in the loudest voice possible (in an effort to attract the attention of any senior staff there) - "ARE YOU SERIOUS!?  REALLY?!  ARE YOU SERIOUS?  You have nothing longer?"  The answer was no, and I walked out, angry.  I will never forget the look on the girl's face.  Now don't get me wrong, I'm not out to embarass sales associates but this girl clearly had a problem with listening. 

The Department Store:
It was just before Christmas and I needed to buy some winter boots.  I was already stressed out as it was due to dealing with people.  Allow me to digress for a moment.  There is only one elevator in this mall (well there are a couple others - one in each of the department stores at either end of the mall.  So technically, in the main mall, only one elevator).  This elevator is painfully slow, and I always say, unless you are handicapped, in a wheelchair, or have a stroller, use the stinkin' stairs!! So here are these people with two feet and a heartbeat trying to use this small slow elevator.  I had to wait for quite some time before baby and I could get on the elevator.  That had my blood just boiling.  Then lets not forget these clueless people who for some reason are completely oblivious to the fact that there are other people in the mall, LOTS of other people.  So lets just stop in the middle of the mall and stare up at the ceiling!!  Like what's the matter with you??

Anyways, back to the department store shoe section.  I finally get to the department store and the shoe department is a-buzz of activity, lots of people there.  And only ONE person on!  ONE!  Shocking.  For that time of year, with such traffic, they put ONE person on.  I was outraged.  I recall standing in the middle of the shoe department and saying to anyone who would listen:  "This is insane that they would have only one person on!!!!"  No one responded, which doesn't surprise me.

So those are my shopping stories.  I venture to say most people would be embarrassed to shop with me.  I should point out, I somehow missed out on the shopping gene that is inherent in most women as I just HATE it.  And I don't make a habit of ALWAYS saying what is on my mind.  I am learning that just because it is true, doesn't mean you have to say it.  It's a hard lesson to learn, but I'm working on it.  But truth be told speaking my mind in these situations was somewhat...I want to say cathartic.  It felt good.

I will share with you one more experience which happened to me yesterday.  I was at the grocery store and I was stopped in front of the dairy fridge when I heard from behind me a man laughing.  I turned, a bit puzzled, and I said, "Oh sorry, I'll be out of the way in just a second'.  He said, "No" and laughed again.  "I just about hugged you.  You look like my wife from behind".  Well if we both didn't have a good laugh over that one.  Would have been much funnier had he actually hugged me.  I might have clobbered him. 

Well those are my bits and pieces from my cupboards and drawers.  I hope to have more soon.  I have been so busy with work and school, and of course baby, that I haven't had lots of time. Hopefully things will settle down soon.

Till then ...

~ M ~