I was at Target yesterday sitting in the fitting room waiting area while my teenager tried on some clothes. There was a line of people waiting to use fitting rooms, and a grandma waiting for her maybe 8-year old granddaughter to show her the outfits she was trying on.
The girl came out with jeans and a t-shirt on, excited to report that they fit. Next, she came out with a long, flowy, lacy special occasion type dress that was too big on top. Grandma pointed out that it was too big on top and the girl agreed. She could feel it.
Next, the girl came out with this hot pink, flashy party dress with sequins all over the bodice. It did fit on top and now grandma was in a pickle. I got the feeling they were not special occasion shopping. I got the feeling grandma was getting summer clothes for her granddaughter. The girl loved it! Of course she did. Grandma said, "Oh. I don't know. Let's get this lady's opinion...ma'am? Excuse me, ma'am?"
There was that line, I was looking at my phone, but I knew she was talking to me.
Deja vu. This happens all the time on the first day of summer break. When I am free from making 600 decisions a day regarding other people's children and am trying to enjoy my time with my own children. Some other parent seeks me out - a total stranger - to make a decision for them. There was those two kids at the park, that boy at the pool, the girl in the toy department, and now this scenario.
I felt bad for purposely keeping my head down pretending like I couldn't hear her, but this grandma was persistent. Plus, there was that audience...I mean line.
"Ma'am? Excuse me, ma'am?"
I looked up.
"Can we get your opinion on this dress?"
"No." There may have been a collective eye raising from the line.
"Well, sweetie that lady thinks..."
"I meant 'no' I am not giving my opinion."
Grandma blinked twice. Everyone in the line shifted. Whether they were surprised by my response, invested in how this scenario of the hot pink party dress played out, or just impatient things were taking so long is a mystery. But grandma felt all eyes on her.
Maybe you're thinking that I was being a little passive aggressive. But I feel that I was being empowering to this grandma while protecting my "off duty" time.
"Oh. Um. Oh. Okay, well, sweetie, I think Target is a place to buy casual clothes. This is not a casual dress. I also don't like that this dress is not the same on both sides."
The straps were asymmetrical - one was spaghetti and one was two inches thick. If there's one thing a grandma hates, it's asymmetrical shoulder straps. Regardless, grandma found her voice.
"Yeah...this dress is too fancy. Target is a good place for casual clothes," the girl agreed, scampered back into the dressing room, and I avoided additional eye contact with grandma. My work here was done. Besides, my teenager emerged with her clothes and we were heading over to the socks department now.
I would love to know what you would have done in this situation.
