Phyliss
02-16-2008, 08:47 PM
We know the mechanics of fit, and function and which color best suits us, along with the cut, length, and shape to compliment out facial features. These are all basic parts of getting it right, and be found on almost any site in the information section. What isn’t spoken about is having to actually walk into the “wig store” and make the purchase.
Little aside here, saw a sign the other day that said:
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather, the mastery of it”
How well I know that.
Friday (Feb 15) found me with a bit of time on my hands and I at the last moment I figured I’d do a bit of shopping (not that I need anything, but what’s the harm in looking?) It turns out that I wasn’t too far away from a store called “ Dots “ and figured I’d pop in to see what they happen to have. On my was there, it dawned on me that I’d be passing by a Wig Shop that I’ve been into before. (note the “courage” comment above, a story unto itself.)
Park truck in lot and walk into store, whoops two customers already there. ( this will take more time to read than I actually spent thinking) “Quick, think fast, do I run or be brazen? Heck with it, I’m in here, may as well see it through.” Yeah, I did have a micro second worth of doubt, but that was all. A few years ago, I’d still be running and worrying. Now, it’s not like I’d never been in this shop, but wigs aren’t something you buy every week. Took Anne a few seconds to remember me. When she did, I received a big smile and welcome.
As for the other 2 customers, this is where it becomes fun. One was sitting in the “fitting chair” and the other was relaxing in a second “fitting chair”. The lady in the first chair glanced over at me and said something to the effect of “sit down and wait hon this is gonna take some time.”
“Ok” I says, “I’ve got the time, just take off my jacket and make myself at home”
First lady says, “Well, since you’ll be here awhile, my name is “Betty (not her real name) and this is Lee (not her real name either) “
“Nice to meet you my name is Philip” (my real name)
I figure that neither Betty or Lee have any clue as to why I’m “really” in the wig shop, but they’re about to find out. Anne asks me what I’m looking for and I explain that I’m letting my hair grow out for the “Locks of Love” program and I’ll need a wig that matches my hair color for when it gets too long to be able to hide under my existing wig, which is brown and my hair is QUITE grey. I go on to explain that if I can’t find one that matches close enough I can always color my hair to match the wig. About this time Lee gets off her chair and walks over to me, puts her arm over my shoulder and says “Good for you, women can color their hair everyday if they want, why shouldn’t a man be able to do the same thing?”
BINGO !!! These two gals are both nice “earthy and open minded” types. By this time I had figured out that they’re good friends out for a day of wig shopping.
Anne was working on Betty all this time and when she was done Betty turned to her friend Lee to ask her opinion. Lee mentioned that it looked alright. Then Betty turns to me and asks my thoughts. (ZAP put right on the spot, mind racing, remembering all I’ve read here about proper fit and which shape goes with which face for best result, skin color to accent the hair, etc. OMG I’m gonna mess this up) I’ve just met this person and I’m being asked for an opinion on a delicate matter. I begin babbling things about facial framing and age appropriate, trying to sound like I know what I’m talking about. Must have said the right things, she didn’t laugh at me.
Betty says “I’m not too sure about it I think I like the other one better.”
“ Well, I wasn’t here when you had that one on, so I couldn’t say which was better.”
Betty turns to Anne and asks if she could put the first one back on. Anne being a professional says “sure” That one actually looked much better and appeared to take off a few years. I said as much also.
“That settles it, I’m wearing this one home. Your turn Lee. Hop right in the chair and get fixed up”
So for the next 45 min while Lee is making her choice, the 4 of us are chatting away about anything and everything.
At one point while Lee is looking at some wigs on the different heads Anne gets out a nice long haired grey wig for me, and puts it on me.
(Anne knows all about me, and has a number of CD customers, as long as your check don’t bounce she don’t care)
During our conversation I had gently dropped a hint or two but there hadn’t been any sort of reaction. Was gonna get one now, or so I thought. Nope, in fact got some positive comments about it looking good.
Lee gets back in the chair and Anne turns her attention back to her. I keep the wig on to get a feel for it. Conversation keeps going, no big deal that there’s a guy wearing a long ladies wig sitting there and talking right along. (By this time, I’m “in the zone” and am enjoying every second of it)
Anne mentions that she has a lady coming in to pick up a wig that was ordered, and goes on to say what a “picky” person the customer is and how they’ll drive her nuts with all the questions and worries. Anne mentions this so that when the customer does come in she’ll have to leave us for a few moments. Betty says, “ Don’t worry Miss Anne we’ll just talk among ourselves until you get back. He’s not going anywhere.”
Not but 3 min later “picky” customer walks in. Anne escorts her to a private fitting room, for final check on fit and quality of style. 10 min later Anne is done with “Ms. Picky” As M.P. is walking back out to the front she notices me, and of course has to say something. “Oh you look so beautiful sitting there” (sarcasm dripping like cold maple syrup) Big wide eyed smile in return and I thank her ever so much for the compliment. Betty, ( now I begin to REALLY love her) comes up with this line, “We voted to make him part of our group for the afternoon and he has to wear that to be able to stay. He’s being a real good sport about it too.” (insert sound of door slamming) Polite smile from “Picky” she pays and leaves. I turn to Betty and say, “Thank you very much for that. I truly appreciate the acceptance.” Lee got fitted for her wig, which I had to also give my opinion of.
This is getting way too long to keep going, but you get the idea of “how to buy a wig”
I did buy the wig. Made 2 new friends and felt wonderful about myself. How’s that for ending the week on an upbeat experience.???
Little aside here, saw a sign the other day that said:
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather, the mastery of it”
How well I know that.
Friday (Feb 15) found me with a bit of time on my hands and I at the last moment I figured I’d do a bit of shopping (not that I need anything, but what’s the harm in looking?) It turns out that I wasn’t too far away from a store called “ Dots “ and figured I’d pop in to see what they happen to have. On my was there, it dawned on me that I’d be passing by a Wig Shop that I’ve been into before. (note the “courage” comment above, a story unto itself.)
Park truck in lot and walk into store, whoops two customers already there. ( this will take more time to read than I actually spent thinking) “Quick, think fast, do I run or be brazen? Heck with it, I’m in here, may as well see it through.” Yeah, I did have a micro second worth of doubt, but that was all. A few years ago, I’d still be running and worrying. Now, it’s not like I’d never been in this shop, but wigs aren’t something you buy every week. Took Anne a few seconds to remember me. When she did, I received a big smile and welcome.
As for the other 2 customers, this is where it becomes fun. One was sitting in the “fitting chair” and the other was relaxing in a second “fitting chair”. The lady in the first chair glanced over at me and said something to the effect of “sit down and wait hon this is gonna take some time.”
“Ok” I says, “I’ve got the time, just take off my jacket and make myself at home”
First lady says, “Well, since you’ll be here awhile, my name is “Betty (not her real name) and this is Lee (not her real name either) “
“Nice to meet you my name is Philip” (my real name)
I figure that neither Betty or Lee have any clue as to why I’m “really” in the wig shop, but they’re about to find out. Anne asks me what I’m looking for and I explain that I’m letting my hair grow out for the “Locks of Love” program and I’ll need a wig that matches my hair color for when it gets too long to be able to hide under my existing wig, which is brown and my hair is QUITE grey. I go on to explain that if I can’t find one that matches close enough I can always color my hair to match the wig. About this time Lee gets off her chair and walks over to me, puts her arm over my shoulder and says “Good for you, women can color their hair everyday if they want, why shouldn’t a man be able to do the same thing?”
BINGO !!! These two gals are both nice “earthy and open minded” types. By this time I had figured out that they’re good friends out for a day of wig shopping.
Anne was working on Betty all this time and when she was done Betty turned to her friend Lee to ask her opinion. Lee mentioned that it looked alright. Then Betty turns to me and asks my thoughts. (ZAP put right on the spot, mind racing, remembering all I’ve read here about proper fit and which shape goes with which face for best result, skin color to accent the hair, etc. OMG I’m gonna mess this up) I’ve just met this person and I’m being asked for an opinion on a delicate matter. I begin babbling things about facial framing and age appropriate, trying to sound like I know what I’m talking about. Must have said the right things, she didn’t laugh at me.
Betty says “I’m not too sure about it I think I like the other one better.”
“ Well, I wasn’t here when you had that one on, so I couldn’t say which was better.”
Betty turns to Anne and asks if she could put the first one back on. Anne being a professional says “sure” That one actually looked much better and appeared to take off a few years. I said as much also.
“That settles it, I’m wearing this one home. Your turn Lee. Hop right in the chair and get fixed up”
So for the next 45 min while Lee is making her choice, the 4 of us are chatting away about anything and everything.
At one point while Lee is looking at some wigs on the different heads Anne gets out a nice long haired grey wig for me, and puts it on me.
(Anne knows all about me, and has a number of CD customers, as long as your check don’t bounce she don’t care)
During our conversation I had gently dropped a hint or two but there hadn’t been any sort of reaction. Was gonna get one now, or so I thought. Nope, in fact got some positive comments about it looking good.
Lee gets back in the chair and Anne turns her attention back to her. I keep the wig on to get a feel for it. Conversation keeps going, no big deal that there’s a guy wearing a long ladies wig sitting there and talking right along. (By this time, I’m “in the zone” and am enjoying every second of it)
Anne mentions that she has a lady coming in to pick up a wig that was ordered, and goes on to say what a “picky” person the customer is and how they’ll drive her nuts with all the questions and worries. Anne mentions this so that when the customer does come in she’ll have to leave us for a few moments. Betty says, “ Don’t worry Miss Anne we’ll just talk among ourselves until you get back. He’s not going anywhere.”
Not but 3 min later “picky” customer walks in. Anne escorts her to a private fitting room, for final check on fit and quality of style. 10 min later Anne is done with “Ms. Picky” As M.P. is walking back out to the front she notices me, and of course has to say something. “Oh you look so beautiful sitting there” (sarcasm dripping like cold maple syrup) Big wide eyed smile in return and I thank her ever so much for the compliment. Betty, ( now I begin to REALLY love her) comes up with this line, “We voted to make him part of our group for the afternoon and he has to wear that to be able to stay. He’s being a real good sport about it too.” (insert sound of door slamming) Polite smile from “Picky” she pays and leaves. I turn to Betty and say, “Thank you very much for that. I truly appreciate the acceptance.” Lee got fitted for her wig, which I had to also give my opinion of.
This is getting way too long to keep going, but you get the idea of “how to buy a wig”
I did buy the wig. Made 2 new friends and felt wonderful about myself. How’s that for ending the week on an upbeat experience.???