Maybe I Need To Stop Smiling At People

Why do I always meet weird people when I go shopping?   I had another strange interaction with a lady customer when I recently visited my local Old Navy to utilize my 30% off coupon. 

In typical Joanna form, I was scouring the clearance racks when I came upon the cutest little black jacket/blazer.  Since it was a jacket, I decided to try it on right there.  As I was admiring it’s fall cuteness in the full-length mirror, a middle-aged woman walked up to me and started telling me how much she liked it.  She went on. and on. and on.  I started to get the feeling that SHE wanted the jacket. 

She asked what size it was.  Yep, that’s just the size she needed.  She asked if there were any more on the clearance racks.  Nope, this was the only one!  She asked how much it cost.  It was marked down from $49.50 to $22.99.  I continued to think about whether I wanted it or not while she continued to stare and talk about how much she loved it.

Looking back, talking about the jacket’s undeniable cuteness probably wasn’t the best way for her to get me to take it off.  She should have told me it made me look fat!  But, I felt sorry for her.  It was painfully obvious that she wanted it, so despite the fact that I could have bought it for only $16.09 with my coupon, I took it off and gave it to her.

I didn’t find another jacket, but I did find a couple of shirts that ended up being $4.20, so it wasn’t a total wash.  And I discovered a new line of jeans that were MADE for me…The Dreamer.

Since it’s a new line, they haven’t gone on sale yet, so I’ll be patient.  It’s still too hot for jeans now anyway!

Anyway, when it was time for me to purchase my two shirts, I got in a long line that went halfway to the back of the store.  I decided it was worth the wait, so I entertained my bored and restless (and napless) 4-yr-old in line for about 20 minutes. 

It was finally our turn to be called to a register.  Just as I approached the cashier, I saw my lady-friend quickly duck under the rope barrier holding several pieces of clothing (including my black jacket).  She headed straight for me and began to show me her items while the cashier rang up my shirts.  Awkward. 

Then I realized what she was doing.  She didn’t want to wait in the long line, so she was making it appear that we were together.  I paid for my purchase and she started placing her items on the counter.  The cashier (good for her!) asked if she had waited in line.  The lady pointed at me and said, “We’re together.” I picked my jaw up off the floor, shook my head, and told the cashier that we were NOT together. 

Then the lady exclaimed, “But I’ve been standing with her for 10 minutes!”  (She had been standing next to me for approximately 43 seconds.)  The cashier (good for her!) informed the lady that she must go to the end of the line and wait just like all the other customers.  I took my purchase and left the counter, so I don’t know how it all ended, but the lady was still arguing and refusing to go to the end of the line when I walked out the door.

I hope she enjoys the black jacket.