Dangers of a No Hair Day
Yesterday I just couldn't bring myself to put on a wig. It had been so hot that day and I was tired of sweating under a wig. So I put on my "Cancer Sucks" ball cap and went out sans hair. I knew it was risky but, you know, it's 2006—people shave their head for fun nowadays. How bad can it be?
Kathy and I needed to go clothing shopping. We headed to a women's clothing store that we frequent often. The salespeople work on commission and normally they fall over themselves offering to help us. But this time, no one offered any assistance. The store had a number of sales associates milling the floor and very few customers, yet they gave us a wide berth as we moved through the store.
After a little while, we found the clothes we wanted and took them up to the counter. Transactions at this store always take a long time, especially because they run a lot of promotions and those seem to require a lot of scanning and annotating or something. Last night was no exception. Only, the entire time we were checking out, the sales staff spoke exclusively to Kathy. Not only did they not speak to me, they wouldn't even look at me. It felt pointed and uncomfortable. It wasn't until the very end, when I commented on a cute skirt on the wall behind us, that anyone acknowledged my presence. I assumed I must be imagining things and said nothing to Kathy.
On the way out, Kathy turned to me and asked, "Did anyone even look at you?" I shook my head no. Okay, so it wasn't just me.
I'm not sure what they were thinking. Maybe they thought I was some sort of scary dykey gang member and didn't dare read the message on my ball cap. Or perhaps they could tell I was sick and didn't know what to do or say. Whatever was going on for them, it sure made me feel horrible. I try not to be sensitive, but in a situation like that, I don't know how to grow a thicker skin.
At the same time I am complaining about this, I'm keenly aware that what singles me out right now is a temporary condition. I can't imagine what it is like for people who have to deal with these reactions 24/7. The thought just makes me sad.
Thank goodness I didn't go into Walnut Creek without hair! Just imagine!
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