Yesterday was no exception. Armed with my oversize Next bag (for my usual Saturday food shop)and looking pretty good even if I say so myself (LOL!), I traipsed to my local Accessorize shop to buy me a new purse.
To start from the beginning, the zip of my beautiful purse broke. So to avoid the embarassment of whipping my purse out only for all my coins to bullet spray the shop as I attempt to pay the newsagent for my weekend paper again, I thought I'd treat myself to a nice new one.
It is Spring afterall.
If you are familiar with Accessorize you'd know just how beautiful their collection of bags, jewellery, purses, wallets and all sorts of fripperies can be. Here is a few of their new range for purses for this season.
I walk into the shop. There are two plump and pretty sales women standing by the till. The purses are hanging on one of this stand alone displays all new and glittery and shiny. Drawn to their sparkliness and pinks and roses and reds, I immediately do my serious perusing.
Seconds after I am touching a velvety embossed cloth purse of the "oriental" design, I notice these same two sales women standing either side of me. I smile. They return my smile. I try to touch another sequined lovely. These women do not move.
I am hemmed in. They reek of sweet and tangy perfume. I could smell their flawless make-up.
Maybe it was the way they didn't even pretend to be stocking up or tidying that had my alarm bells ringing.
And this goes on until I find the purse of my dreams for a reasonable £7.00 (it's not on the Accessorize website - it's dripping in pink and white and red beads). I have to say "excuse me" to one of these lovely women to get past so I can pay for my purchase.
It's only after I am sipping my usual large Costa cappuccino that I realise that they must have thought I was a potential shoplifter. The big bag and the eager hungry look I had must have set their own alarm bells ringing towards a big red sign above me saying: "POTENTIAL SHOPLIFTER".
Which sort of makes me smile now. These women were just doing their jobs and must have had experience of some kind with people shoplifting. But as I look at myself I can't help but wonder what exactly it was about me that they thought I could be such a person?
Perhaps I shouldn't have worn the coat that the Cat had slept on.
24 comments:
hmmm, were you carrying the purse with the broken zipper? Because maybe they saw it open and thought you would stuff something inside?
I don't think I would be comfortable if two sales women standing either side of me, watching me select my purchase. I would probably ask them if they wanted to talk to me or something. How did they react after you had made your purchase?
That's so funny! I love the pictures of those purses. I rather fancy a Radley one, but they are rather expensive. I need something big enough for all my loyalty cards, credit cards, library card etc.
I love your punchline.
Years ago, in my 20s, I spent 6 years working in a woman's clothing store. We would have a lot of shoplifters, some who looked the stereotypical part, but many who were sweet-looking granny-types. Really disheartening, actually.
I carry a knapsack with me as a "purse," because I tote so much (and often my camera/case) and often have other bags with me. I always ask if they want me to leave my shopping bags or check the knapsack. No one has ever said yes, except as convenience to me. I think by the very act of asking they assume I'm honest. Though I suppose that would be good cover. LOL.
Anyway, now we need to see a photo of your purse!
Shop Lifter...YOU? I bet those humans were just JEALOUS because they didn't have such cool cat hair covering THEM!! :)
Noir in Texas
PS. Old Kitty--you script the most scrumptious things on my blog--do I owe you money from a past life...? :)
I'm sure it had nothing to do with your appearance, except for the open bag. You never know who is a potential shoplifter. Who would've thought Winona Ryder would resort to that?
I checked out the link to those purses. They're so cool. It must've been difficult to choose just one. I love handbags.
By the way, I take it by "purse" you mean the English use of the word: what our American friends might call a wallet?
This is hilarious! You sound like we might be related. Too funny!
Funny post :-)
Lovely lines written !!!!
(@^.^@)
I wouldn't be at all comfortable with those saleswomen on either side of me. It would have been enough to make me leave the store. I carry a huge purse that I get all sorts of teasing for (my husband always asks me when I'm going to take out my laptop because it looks more like a laptop case than a purse), but I love it because I can carry everything I could ever want in it and then some. It's got paint splatters on it from when I painted the kitchen, but I still can't give it up. Enjoy your new purse!
Hi KarenG
Oh purse - as in tiny little thing purse thing that fits in the pocket of my jeans purse! Not a great big handbag purse.
:-)
Take care
x
Hi Love Meow
Oh they sort of drifted off in different areas of the shop as I made my way to the till.
I just really loved my little purse that at that point I was just happy to have bought it.
:-)
take care
x
hi fairyhedgehog
Oh the new season in Accesorize are really gorgeous!! They've outdone themsleves this year. It's everything I want in a bag and purses - all beads and sequins but really girly.. I could go on really.
As for the coat - goodness - it was COVERED in cat hairs but I just really don't see them anymore LOL. Also I think the Cat ate on it too.. ooops.!
LOL!
Take care
x
Hi Kim
Oh the first time I had my bag checked was when I went to the theatre a couple of years ago now. I was quite shocked! I mean it's a theatre! and it was "Death of a Salesman" but our bags were searched and everything.
Very disturbing!
You are so good to offer to have your bags searched tho! I wouldn't dare cos I do like my big bags but I put a lot of crap..I meant, stuff! in them!
Take care
x
Oh Kim!
I've got an er... (don't laugh!!) a disposable camera and have taken a pic of the small tiny purse. I might ask a friend to scan it in..! I'm so with the times aren't I really?!
LOL!
Take care
x
Noir!!!
I'm insulted! LOL!! The Cat reckons you've been doing your famed Jedi Mind Trick on me but I just think she's jealous cos she wants you all to herself!
I tell her, you're supposed to be 78 years old and past all this! And also to gerroff me coat!
:-)
Take care
x
Hi fairyhedgehog
Oh definitely a little tiny purse. A coin purse! that's it!! A coin purse!!
I just realised that a purse in america is probably a handbag too!
Oh dear - LOL! That's quite funny actually!
take care
x
Hi Theresa Milstein
I just realised that purse is probably a handbag over there!
I meant a tiny, tiny coin purse. Fits in the palm of my hand purse.
:-)
I'm just so happy I have a lovely one to replace my broken one...
Oh Winona Ryder was so guilty wasn't she??? And yet why did she do it?? Why? And she plays Spock's mum in the new Start Trek film? It's just not right..
:-)
Take care
x
Hi VKT
Thanks for popping by. Great to meet you!
I love your pic!
Take care
x
Hi Anya
Thanks for saying hello! Great avatar!
Take care
x
Hi Susan Fields
Awww your bag sounds lovely!!!
I really was so into my shopping that they could have had phasers set to stun pointed at me I wouldn't have budged. I was going to buy me a new purse!
LOL!
Purse meaning - a tiny tiny coin purse..
:-)
Take care
x
Oh I don't know how you managed to choose a purse with those women watching you! haha I would have hated it and left.
I know the feeling of being covered in cat fur :o) Our dinners wouldn't be complete without them too hehe
Old Kitty, Winona Ryder got busted years ago. She went to trial and everything. She didn't act for years, and now and again does an independent film. This is probably her biggest role in years.
Too funny. Been there, done that, etc etc. Glad you found the purse of your dreams under such duress!
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