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Friday, February 19, 2010

Retail Therapy

Lay down here on my couch for a little retail therapy, if you please. We're going to have a discussion about shopping. Actually, I'm going to get on my soap box, but feel free to return fire if there is anything about this subject you'd like to discuss.

First of all, never, never, never ask me (your friendly sales person, notice how I put sales in bold?) if an outfit looks good on you. Please don't put me in that position. Take a friend or your partner shopping with you if you want an honest opinion, but please don't put me, a stranger, and a stranger who has a sales goal no less, in that position. Do you really expect me to be honest with a total stranger about how something looks on you? Because the chances are really high if you are asking me, you KNOW it doesn't look good. And somewhere in the store, lurking like a spider, is my boss, who would flay me alive if she heard me say something negative that caused me to lose a sale. So if I say something along the lines of "That looks good! But let me go get you blah-blah-blah, you might like that even better!" please take the hint.

Second, if you try on several pairs of jeans or pants in what you think is your size, and none of them fit right, there's a really good chance that the problem doesn't lie with the clothing itself, but that the size you're trying on is not your actual size. Which leads me to my next point...

Why obsess about the number? No one but you knows whether the pair of jeans you are wearing has a 6, 8 or 12 on the tag! The number doesn't matter - get over it. Is it better to have a smaller number with a huge muffin top bulging over the waist band, or a larger number but the pants fit you right and ultimately look better on you? Sure - if you think the number is too large, do something about it. But don't buy the pants in the smaller size because you're convinced that you'll lose weight and be able to wear them soon. Because if you're struggling to zip them, that's going to take a pretty significant weight loss, and in the meantime wouldn't it be better to have the pants that you can actually sit down in, and which you can wear with a belt after you start losing weight? The pants that actually fit you are going to look much better on you and make you look slimmer than the smaller size that doesn't really fit. Then you'll have the satisfaction of trying on the smaller size after you've lost weight and having them actually look good on you.

And last of all - please, please, please talk nicely to yourself. You know how they say if you tell a child he or she is stupid, that they will start to believe they are stupid? It's the same way with your body image. If you constantly look in the mirror and say "I'm fat" or "I look terrible", what do you think your body is going to do? Dress to your body style. If you don't know how to do so, that is an appropriate question to ask your friendly sales person for help figuring out. Make sure you aren't wearing clothes that are too tight. LIKE what you're wearing and don't dress a certain way because you think you are supposed to, or because of your age. Who cares what other people think? If YOU like what you're wearing, you'll feel comfortable and be happier. And speak kindly to yourself! If you don't, who else will?

love,
me

13 folks speakin' their mind:

KathyA said...

Hi Fiwa!!!
Thanks for the great shopping advice. I think you must have the patience of Job to do your work!

Sis said...

This may just be the most awesome post EVER. I'm going to link to it from my blog(s). YOU ROCK.

Love you sweets!
XOXO

nikkipolani said...

Without Sis' alert, I wouldn't've known you'd come back to this blog! It's nice to read from you again, Fiwa. I've missed your voice. So I take it you're in sales. I appreciate your post about some of the things you learned this past year -- painful, stretching, reality-checking things.

fiwa said...

Kathy - actually it's really kind of fun. The customers are, for the most part, really nice and fun to chat with. The only thing that takes patience is putting up with the management. ;)

Sis - I already told you, you made my day!

Anne - I'm so glad to be getting my feet wet again. I forgot the great feeling of community that comes from blogging. I'll be by to see how you're doing - it's just taking me awhile because I am working retail. Soooo tired when I get home.

Jamie said...

Perfect, awesome, wonderful, helpful, factual post. Which brings me to my next statement...You rock! :)

nikkipolani said...

I'm glad you've got a job, Fiwa but I'm sorry that it wears you out. Hopefully, you'll catch your stride soon and not feel so wiped out after work.

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

Such practical, down-to-earth tips. Too bad your manager wouldn't let you be this honest in the store! I find it refreshing.

Golden To Silver Val said...

So great to read you again!!! Stop by my place for coffee and cinnamon rolls and while there, pick up your award. You deserve this...for all you've done for others....you really do deserve an award...wish it could be more. Like a million dollars or maybe a trip to Paris....but for now its coffee, buns and an award. Please take it with my love and pass it on. xo

Mama Llama said...

I had worked retail for years in my younger days and always thought it an amazing honing of skills, how I could convincingly tell someone how Positively Amazing they looked in an outfit--usually the more expensive of two--and how that would work in my favor!

Being a cradle Catholic, however, I have had to (deep breath) come to terms with all that false representation! j/k :)

Nice post. Be well, Fiwa.

Dez said...

hahahaha.....ROFLMAO!!!!! Truer words were never spoken! I'm sure some of the peeps out there will take heed and have a new shopping style! So glad to have you back!

ain't for city gals said...

I could NEVER do your job of retail...first I am not a salesperson and second I think I would be forever looking at the clock to see if it is time to go home yet...So true about the tags...If I buy a size 12 I cut it out...if I buy a size 10 I leave it...how silly...good post..

KathyA said...

Fiwa,
I think it's really wonderful that you are excited with your find. Sometimes I sit outside with my 'bird books' and try to identify the visitors to the feeders. I know most of them, but every once in a while something new comes along...:) One evening, I looked up and sitting on the eave of our neighbor's house was an owl!!! I know it looked down and though, "What is with that insane human!!?" I was alone and had no one w/whom to share and it was too dark to take a picture.

Cheryl said...

Great post, Fiwa. When I have to ask for advice, I usually ask a customer. The best is when another woman sees you looking at yourself in the mirror and tells you that what you have on looks great.

It's really wonderful to have you back.