My embarrassing shopping story
By Fleur
@Fleura (28956)
United Kingdom
November 11, 2022 5:32am CST
This is for you @JudyEv, and @DaddyEvil
A few years ago, when I had a child in a pushchair (buggy) I had gone into town to do some shopping, something I rarely do, and in one shop I needed to go upstairs (why do shops often have the children’s clothes and shoes upstairs??)
I made my way through the racks of ladies’ clothes, where one or two other women were browsing, to the lift and pressed the button in the usual way. When the lift came I got in and pressed the button to go up.
The doors closed. The lift seemed to move very smoothly. After a little while the doors opened again and I walked out.
After a few steps I realised that I was walking past the same racks of clothes, and the same women perusing them.
They must have seen me get into the lift, stand there for a minute or two, and then get out again
I didn’t have the nerve to get back in the lift a second time. I walked out and went to a different shop
All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2022.
10 people like this
10 responses
@LadyDuck (454987)
• Switzerland
11 Nov 22
@Fleura He stepped inside the elevator to go downstairs in the parking because he forgot something in the car. I was waiting for him in front of the elevator. I saw him stepping out and he looked surprised to see me there, he thought to be downstairs.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137251)
• United States
11 Nov 22
I would have asked if there was something wrong with the elevator. It wouldn't have bothered me at all.
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137251)
• United States
11 Nov 22
@MALUSE I'm surprised it bothered Fleur. She seems more sensible than to let it bother her.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (93514)
• Marion, Ohio
11 Nov 22
That would be a little embarrassing. At first I was expecting you to say you forgot baby.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137251)
• United States
11 Nov 22
@Fleura No, I'd think there was something wrong with the elevator if they did that.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (203755)
• Walnut Creek, California
13 Nov 22
Fortunately for me, as a psychologist, I am well (perhaps overly) aware of the inherent narcissism in most of us (myself included), and know that most people could give a gnat's fart (thank you @Maluse) about what I am doing, or how stupid I might look. I probably would have exited the elevator (lift) as if I had done exactly what I intended to do, found the stairs, "driven" the buggy up said stairs backwards , and proceeded as if nothing had happened.
2 people like this
@MALUSE (69428)
• Germany
13 Nov 22
Indeed, you should have. I think you should discuss your problem with a psychiatrist!
I've never understood why so many people have such little self-confidence and why so many people are convinced that other people have an interest in them and watch them closely. Most people are not interested in other people and notice nothing. Every policeman can tell you this. Pople who've witnessed a crime very rarely can describe the criminal correctly.
Once I was in Italy on an exchange visit with our school. At the end of the stay there was a grand evening at the local theatre where the pupils performed this and that. It was my task to announce the German group. Just before I went onto the stage (something frightening in itself if you aren't a habitual performer) I noticed that part of the hem of my skirt was loose and hanging down. What could I do? Nothing, of course.
So I went onto the stage and behaved as if everything was fine. Nobody, neither a German nor an Italian, mentioned that my skirt looked quite odd. They all concentrated on my speech which I delivered in Italian. My Italian isn't perfect but I've never had problems because of this because it was always much better than the German (non existent) or the English (horrible) the Italians know.
3 people like this
@TheHorse (203755)
• Walnut Creek, California
13 Nov 22
@MALUSE The "imaginary audience" phenomenon is supposedly most prevalent among teenagers. Adults with social anxiety may also experience it. I wonder if I've ever given a lecture with my fly down, and if so, if anyone noticed.
1 person likes this