Hi!
Yesterday I went shopping at Marks & Spencers and decided to make the brave move to try out a top which I liked but I wasnt sure of my size (or how to find out what size top I would need for that matter). The male changing rooms were on the floor above and I went to shanging room tried on the top and left to return the item. The stairs down to the ground floor, so I set off to return the item.
As I walked towards the stairs a sales assitant looked at me and I thought nothing of it and carried on walking, hoping she didn't notice the top I was carrying, around my waist to minimse the attention it could draw. Out of interest I looked round and saw that she had moved and was watching me go down the escalator. I looked ahead and when I got to the bottom I looked back, in case I was being paranoid but sure enough I was being watched.
The look on her face is one I have never seen before, a mix of shock, surprise and disbelief - with not a trace of a smile or laugh. At this point my heart froze in my chest. It isn't a wild stretch to for her to guess what I was doing but when I had the chance to respond as I was walking in a positive light-hearted matter, the best I could do was to keep walking.
Maybe she thought I was a potential thief - I did have my back-pack for uni with me but I don't think so. It was exciting but for me quite intimidating. Incidently I bought a number of items at BHS and and the young sales assistant didn't even blink, which is what I expected would happen after reading here and in the past some have known I was shopping for myself and have been pleasant and helpful, but the negative look I got put me on edge for the rest of the day.
So, how do I respond to situations like this positively - because I enjoy shopping and wish to continue do so without causing problems or handling a situation badly.
Thanks Sisters and sorry for the long post!
Kirsty Hall