Misadventures

After having coffee with an old friend on Sunday afternoon, I decided to shop for the perfect pair of black sling-backs, closed-toe (they're shoes in case you men don't know). I figured that they'd be just what I needed to complete my outfit if I'm to visit my company's branch in Johor. My company actually has this rule that women are to wear covered shoes (and not sandals or slip-ons), but I always break that rule here, because our boss in KL isn't too strict about it, but Lord knows how strict they are in Johor... so, you know, better for me to invest in a pair of covered shoes than not.

Previously I had bought myself this inexpensive ring, with what the lady at the stall said was "fresh-water pearl" encircled with three fake diamonds (probably cubic zirconium or even quartz) shaped like leaves. So perhaps my showy (but fake) ring was what prompted the saleslady in the shoe shop to say what she said to me. Or perhaps my outfit was what prompted her. I was wearing a cotton baggy shirt and skirt. And that ring on my finger. And when I was paying for my shoes she asked me, "Are you pregnant?" Appalled, yet amused, I answered, "No... Do I look that old?"

I just had a haircut, too, earlier that morning, which the hairdresser said made me look younger. After a split second I said to myself, 'I should have asked her Do I look that fat?'

Then the saleslady said, "No, no, you don't look old. Are you married?" she asked to change the subject, knowing that I was probably offended by her earlier assumption at me being pregnant.
I thought for awhile and replied cautiosly, "Mmm... engaged." A lie, but not really. The word I should have used was 'betrothed', (to signify I've already got someone to get married to but not yet engaged) but who in the 21st century says 'betrothed'?

Then the saleslady showed surprise for some reason, and blushed, and said, "Well you know, before, Malay girls get married younger but the trend nowadays is to get married later..."

I don't know what the hell that was about. I just paid for the goods and left. Then I thought, 'I must be fatter than I thought'. I must be, or else she would never have asked me if I was pregnant. Which I'm not. And then I started to feel conscious about my boobs, cos maybe that's why she asked me if I was pregnant. And no, I'm not lactating... but why the hell would a total stranger ask me that?? I wasn't wearing maternity clothes... God maybe I really am that fat!

Hmmm... well anyway, I bought the shoes. They look great. And maybe tomorrow I'll wear them with an outfit that won't make me look pregnant. (Well hopefully.)