Have you heard the one about the nicely dressed woman who got the evil eye from the granolas at Trader Joe's? No? Allow me to share.
This is how bizarre my existence is. I've shared previously how much I love the area that I live in. It's beautiful, just the right size, and there is very little traffic. It is also, how shall I say...a little earthy. And you know what? For the most part that doesn't bother me. I merrily go about my business, happy to be attired in the clean preppy clothing that is my preference, a smile on my face, and my Chanel sunglasses perched atop my head. I don't comment on or disparage the dreadlocked, hemp-wearing, or slightly odorous folks I frequently come in contact with in the downtown core of our community. I'm sure they're lovely people on the inside, and are merely in a phase in which personal appearance and/or hygiene is not at the top of their list of priorities. In the 16 years I've called this gorgeous place my home, I have, however, come to the realization that if I am planning to spend time downtown, say, grocery shopping, it might be more enjoyable if I downplayed the glam.
This is how bizarre my existence is. I've shared previously how much I love the area that I live in. It's beautiful, just the right size, and there is very little traffic. It is also, how shall I say...a little earthy. And you know what? For the most part that doesn't bother me. I merrily go about my business, happy to be attired in the clean preppy clothing that is my preference, a smile on my face, and my Chanel sunglasses perched atop my head. I don't comment on or disparage the dreadlocked, hemp-wearing, or slightly odorous folks I frequently come in contact with in the downtown core of our community. I'm sure they're lovely people on the inside, and are merely in a phase in which personal appearance and/or hygiene is not at the top of their list of priorities. In the 16 years I've called this gorgeous place my home, I have, however, come to the realization that if I am planning to spend time downtown, say, grocery shopping, it might be more enjoyable if I downplayed the glam.
So, the other day I decide I need to journey into 'the big city' to search for a few ingredients the grocery stores in my little cow town just don't have. I'm planning to peruse the Co-op and Trader Joe's. I love the Co-op, they have great stuff there, but as I don't generally roll up on a bicycle pulling a trailer behind me with my organic cotton-clad off-spring nestled inside, I honestly feel like I don't get the best reception from the other shoppers. Not to worry, my plan is to hit Trader Joe's first and then the Co-op as a last resort. I take a quick inventory of my appearance before exiting the car: Clogs - check; Natural fiber, chunky knit cardigan - check; Basic make-up, no sparkly lip gloss - check! I'm all set!
The doors to Trader Joe's slide open and I'm assaulted by the smell of exotic flowers and...wait, is that wet dog? No, no, just one of my more earthy fellow citizens. I found what I was looking for very quickly (Israeli couscous, thank you), but I did have a strange experience. You see, I never expected that my earth-first, all natural, organic brethren would resort to guerilla shopping tactics. It was as though it was 8 am on the first day of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, and the doors had just opened. Uh huh, that's right, it was showdown time between me and the freshman from Western who was busy sowing her earthy oats. The objective: The last box of Pumpkin Bread & Muffin mix. The result: Victory, for me. And the evil eye from a hemp clad, petulant, patchouli-laced young woman, who stalked off muttering something rude about yuppies. I couldn't believe it.
I concluded my shopping trip after the Trader Joe's experience, grateful that I had found everything I needed on my list, and certain that I'd had my share of granola for one day.
The doors to Trader Joe's slide open and I'm assaulted by the smell of exotic flowers and...wait, is that wet dog? No, no, just one of my more earthy fellow citizens. I found what I was looking for very quickly (Israeli couscous, thank you), but I did have a strange experience. You see, I never expected that my earth-first, all natural, organic brethren would resort to guerilla shopping tactics. It was as though it was 8 am on the first day of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, and the doors had just opened. Uh huh, that's right, it was showdown time between me and the freshman from Western who was busy sowing her earthy oats. The objective: The last box of Pumpkin Bread & Muffin mix. The result: Victory, for me. And the evil eye from a hemp clad, petulant, patchouli-laced young woman, who stalked off muttering something rude about yuppies. I couldn't believe it.
I concluded my shopping trip after the Trader Joe's experience, grateful that I had found everything I needed on my list, and certain that I'd had my share of granola for one day.
3 comments:
I love that you say what I'm thinking ..... just so much more eloquently than I could.
Well, I am trying to decide which is worse, the stinky hippie crowd, or the FL version which is a stinky WT crowd with no shoes, no teeth, and a really "deliverance" essence about them......tough call.
Jackie darling, that is a tough call. Having experienced them both, I feel compelled to say, I think the FL version might be worse. Smelly and educated: tolerable, although annoying. Smelly, ignorant, and scary: bad, just bad.
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