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Men Are From Mars, Sales Ladies Are From Venus

pantyhoseThe prospect of standing in a small booth on a cement floor for 5 days led my husband and me on a quest for cushioned shoes. We found a local department store near our hotel and proceeded to purchase what we hoped would protect us from inevetable foot and back pain.

Since I chose flat dress shoes, I also needed some knee-high stockings to prevent blisters. Hubby exhibited all of the normal male signs of discomfort as I asked him to join me in the hosiery department. He listened quietly as the sales lady walked me through the stocking “decision tree” – color, thickness, pattern, price were all part of choosing the appropriate stocking.

I navigated my way towards a sheer option without too much difficulty and was about to check out when my husband whispered quizzically in my ear,

“What’s a rain forest stocking?”

My mental cogs and wheels turned furiously as I tried to determine the correct answer.

“Honey, I have no idea what that is. Why do you ask?”

“Well, the sales lady kept asking you if you wanted sheer or rain forest stockings…”

I burst out laughing.

“Um… she was saying, ‘sheer’ or ‘reinforced’ toe stockings, I think.”

I suspect my husband will never accompany me to the hosiery department again.

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