Shop Clerk Show Down

Realizing that my baby is coming very soon, I needed to purchase a new nursing bra. Being on bed rest limits how much looking around I can do in stores so I thought I'd do some internet shopping first to see what is out there. With my first 5 children, I have a good idea of what works for me and what doesn't. Unfortunately, my favorite nursing bra is no longer manufactured....I am not impressed with the options at "Motherhood" and other maternity stores. I checked into some department stores and surprisingly found one I think will be great at JCPenney's. In fact, I was also thrilled to see it was on sale....better still. My two younger girls wanted to come to the store with me and I thought it would be an entertaining experience so off we went to the mall. Unfortunately, the real store, the one I can go into and see products, try them on, etc., did not carry this bra. I was disappointed, but thought I'd just ask the clerk to order it for me since I was there. However, the clerk had other ideas. She insisted I would love the other 2 options she had in the store. I stated clearly that I had looked at them but wasn't impressed. She proceeded to demonstrate the 2 choices and asked what size I wear. I again stated in a polite and firm voice that I had looked, and discovered that I did not like either bra and neither bra was available in my size any way. The "helpful" clerk asked if I really knew my bra size....she then looked at me and insisted I did not know my bra size and that I am bigger than I had stated. She tried (unsuccessfully) to tuck my shirt under my breasts to get herself a better estimate of my size to prove to me she knew better than me and then proceeded to tell me the medical truths involved with the changes in breast size while pregnant and nursing. At this point, I was mad. I only went to the store in hopes of trying the bra on and now I just wanted to order the bra I had liked. A long line was forming behind me trying to purchase their intimate apparel. I just wanted to accomplish one simple task and return to the comfort of my p.j.'s and bed. My two little girls looked at me with loving eyes, knowing I was ready to explode. I thought I would give it one more try and so I asked, "Would you please order this bra?" as I handed her the item number I had copied down off of my computer. She tried to look it up on her computer and then commented, "Well this particular bra is on the internet. I can only order out of the catalog." She then showed me the bra on her computer and it was twice the price for the same thing. I smiled, thanked her, and tried to leave for home just to order the stupid bra. She shouted after me, "Are you sure one of these bras won't work?" I turned to look her in the eyes, and calmly stated, "This is my sixth baby. I know what I like. I like this bra. You can't get it for me. I know my bra size. Please stop trying to tell me anything contrary to my convictions and.... have a nice day." Emma took one hand, Tessa the other, and as they squeezed my hands they smiled and asked if we had time to ride the escalator a couple of times before we had to go home. "Of course," I replied. "We definately need a fun diversion."

Amidst this crazy encounter my girls were hilarious. Before we met the super savvy salesclerk, I had asked Emma to help me look for the brand of bra I was hoping to find. She wanted additional information to help her search. I told her to look for any bra that said "nursing" on the tag. When she found the 2 options the store carried she was so excited. I asked her to bring me one so I could get a better look before I walked over to that side of the department. She did not want to touch it. I calmly told her it wasn't a big deal it was just a bra. She still didn't want to touch it. Tessa piped up and said, "Oh, what's the big deal it is on a hanger. Just touch the hanger...oh,I'll do it." At this point, Emma couldn't let her little sister outdo her. She grabbed one, Tessa the other, and brought me the bras. Although I didn't like either of them we had a good experience learning how to shop for bras. Both girls felt successful to find nursing bras and to actually carry them by the hangers. And of course, the escalator rides made everything better. :)

p.s. I finally ordered it on-line. Next time we'll just skip the too-invasive in-store experience and just go for the informal and private on-line shopping experience from the comfort of my p.j.'s.