Conversation at the market today
Me: *pointing at men's sized black military-style hiking boots* "Hi. Do you have these in a 5, please?"
Employee #1: "Er... Do we have any boots in a 5?"
Employee #2: "Yup!" *Picks up a pair of suede, fluffy-lined monstrosities with flowers on*
Me (trying to be polite) : "Um... I wanted the more solid leather, so I can use a waterproofing wax?" *pointing at the black ones again*
Employee #2: "These are leather. They're waterproof."
Me (unconvinced): "Well, it's for larp, which is a kind of reenactment, so I really don't want anything that looks too modern. Do these come in smaller sizes?" *pointing again*
Employee #2: "Yes, that manufacturer does everything in a 4 and up, we can order them in. It's a very well-respected manufacturer, one of the best in the business. See?" *pulls out a catalogue and starts showing me lots of pictures of impractical, modern-looking girly boots with no waterproofing or ankle support, ignoring any suggestion that I'd just like the plain black ones, thanks*
Me (inside voice): ARGH I'M TRYING TO BUY SOMETHING YOU'VE JUST SAID YOU CAN ORDER IN, WHY WON'T YOU TAKE MY MONEY? IS IT SO HARD TO BELIEVE THAT A GIRL MIGHT PRIORITISE DRY FEET OVER LOOKING CUTE?
Me (outside voice): "Maybe I'll come back next week."
Which is why despite my good intentions of getting better boots this time and trying to support independent local business, I've ended up with yet another pair of cheap Hi-tecs from a chain store. And why I hate the world just a little bit more than I did this morning.
Employee #1: "Er... Do we have any boots in a 5?"
Employee #2: "Yup!" *Picks up a pair of suede, fluffy-lined monstrosities with flowers on*
Me (trying to be polite) : "Um... I wanted the more solid leather, so I can use a waterproofing wax?" *pointing at the black ones again*
Employee #2: "These are leather. They're waterproof."
Me (unconvinced): "Well, it's for larp, which is a kind of reenactment, so I really don't want anything that looks too modern. Do these come in smaller sizes?" *pointing again*
Employee #2: "Yes, that manufacturer does everything in a 4 and up, we can order them in. It's a very well-respected manufacturer, one of the best in the business. See?" *pulls out a catalogue and starts showing me lots of pictures of impractical, modern-looking girly boots with no waterproofing or ankle support, ignoring any suggestion that I'd just like the plain black ones, thanks*
Me (inside voice): ARGH I'M TRYING TO BUY SOMETHING YOU'VE JUST SAID YOU CAN ORDER IN, WHY WON'T YOU TAKE MY MONEY? IS IT SO HARD TO BELIEVE THAT A GIRL MIGHT PRIORITISE DRY FEET OVER LOOKING CUTE?
Me (outside voice): "Maybe I'll come back next week."
Which is why despite my good intentions of getting better boots this time and trying to support independent local business, I've ended up with yet another pair of cheap Hi-tecs from a chain store. And why I hate the world just a little bit more than I did this morning.