This is a little embarrassing to admit but in Japan I am made aware of my body and the "flaws" here and there. Maybe it is sort of an inferiority complex. Actually, the only time I ever really sweat is when I go into a Japanese dressing room. Sometimes I wonder whether the American department stores have rigged up trick mirrors so that women trying on clothes look slenderer. In Japan, all I see is flab and width. And wrinkles. It doesn't help that everything I try on has to be in extra large.
Japanese women (Asian women) are petit. Some lady can be carrying a two year old, pushing a stroller with a baby, with a grade school child trailing behind her and yet the mother looks like she just graduated from jr. high. No waist. No hips. No busom. Even my friends with grandchildren have zero flab.
Yesterday was a disaster of disasters because I was trying on "foundation garments". This is a great way to ruin my day. The sales lady "helping", kept up a running conversation with me through the curtains but I was muttering and laughing and sweating so much I finally just said, "You decide." It didn't help to have Tetsu wandering around the fringes of the lingerie section saying
"I am out of here! I can't stand around a ladies' section like this!"
Tetsu blushes even walking by the women's department.
Well, I bought what I needed but I'm not doing that again for a few months!
And as a bit of trivia. Did you know that you have to take off your shoes when using a fitting room in Japanese department stores? The clerk comes around and turns your shoes around for you so that they are easy to slip on when you finish trying things on. (Photo from the Internet)
10 comments:
I was surprised that you had to take off your shoes when you entered a fitting room, but thought it was nice that the clerk turned them around for you. Interesting! My Hubby won't spend time with me in certain departments either so you are not alone there!
I always feel I am looking ok except when in dressing room with clothes off trying to button or zip something up. Then the flaws are very visible, and depressing. time to go home if nothing fits.
I vow to exercise more and eat less. Keep on walking.
I got to two quilt store today. One to start a block of the month - batik fabrics and pre-cut to boot.
The other I got some 30's fabric 30% off for a backing to a quilt. Just what I wanted.
Interesting doors to the dressing room. With shoes outside of the doors at least you can tell which rooms are occupied.
What movie did you see?
It has been my experience that the lighting in fitting rooms is not kind. I suppose I could try wearing sun glasses? I like the idea of taking your shoes off in a dressing room. When I have to take my shoes off when trying on clothes I put down a shopping bag or something to stand on to keep my feet clean. Does that fitting room door roll up like a window shade?
The only shopping I like is fabric shopping. I HATE shopping for clothes or shoes or especially "foundation garments". Or bathing suits, BLECH.
>>> Sometimes I wonder whether the American department stores have rigged up trick mirrors so that women trying on clothes look slenderer.>>>>
Either I'm not shopping in the right places with the trick mirrors or I look even worse than I think! I can't stand shopping for clothes...actually I don't like shopping at all except for books and occassionally fabric.
Tanya, I know exactly what you mean and how you feel. When I was working in China, (and I am a size 8-10), I was told and asked why I am so fat. Why are Americans so fat, they asked me almost everytime I meet a new chinese friend. Chinese people are very honest and frank about everything. They will tell you like it is. I hated shopping in China because I always have to buy Large/Extra L for everything. So....somehow I lost weight and when I got back to the States, I was the skinny one and that felt so good ...... for a while......until I got back to the american diet again.
This will seem a little off beat, but is there a Planet Hollywood near you? We were in Tokyo several years ago, and went to one near the Disney complex.
If so, I have a HUGE favor to ask, maybe you need something from the states?
My husband is turning 50 this year, and he is a huge Planet Hollywood pin collector. When we were there he bought some pins from the waitresses, ones that you can't get from the store....
I am trying to figure out a special, secret gift to get him for this milestone birthday, and this is what I have in mind.
Thanks for your blog, I read it all the time as my husband is Japanese, and we absolutely love it in Japan.... I love the way you write about every day things!
If you contact me, please email me: terriy@myctmh.com ( as my husband doesn't look at my business email)... trying to keep my plans a secret...You can see my blog: yonoscreations.blogspot.com
Why don't you do what French friends of a friend did? Come to the US with the bare essentials and then buy everything you need here? I don't know how US prices compare to Japanese prices but for the French to buy things here it was MUCH cheaper. They even bought new luggage to put their new wardrobes in.
Leaving your shoes outside the dressing room would solve one problem - usually there is nowhere to put your clothes and handbag so they go on the floor, and at least the floor would be clean! I would be afraid in the larger stores here that my shoes would disappear if I left them sitting there unattended. Do the dressing rooms have clerks that stay there all the time to assist you (and guard the shoes!)?
I have blogged often about the agonies of public fitting rooms. I like the idea of taking off your shoes, & having them turned around for convenience when you leave!
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