PANTS

Today I had the misfortune of shopping for pants.  Even under ideal circumstances, shopping for pants is one of my least favourite items to shop for; however, as I looked closer at my pants and capris, I decided it really was time to make the effort to find a new pair or two.

Variety, unique, one-of-a-kind are all words I would use to describe my preference when shopping for handicrafts, but are not words I appreciate when shopping for pants. 

I chose the “Morning Market” as my shopping destination, as the vendors typically have stalls large enough that you can try on the pants in a “make-shift change space”. 

Before tackling the pursuit of pants, I stopped by the “Lacoste” shirt vendor.  I had found two shirts there recently and was hopeful I might be lucky to find a purple button shirt to match my new Lao skirt.  I quickly spotted one I liked and asked the vendor if she had that shirt in my size, and then, she went in pursuit.  She removed several shirts on display and climbed up on to her stand and began to rummage through the various bundles of packaged shirts.  Her shirts were bundled according to size, which was really helpful; however, there was no clear system for locating the style, colour and size I had requested.  There were probably thousands of shirts in her shop, but unfortunately she could not find one for me.

Well, on to the next item . . . PANTS!!!  Lao vendors are typically very laid back and not at all aggressive, so it makes wandering through the market pleasant.  For the first part of my pursuit, they were almost too laid back and so finally when one vendor suggested I buy a Lao t-shirt from her, I engaged her.  She suggested I might want to buy a Lao t-shirt, as I was wearing one and of course, that would mean I like Lao t-shirts and would probably want to buy more.  When I declined, she immediately suggested pants. 

Yes, pants was what I was searching for!!!

Being a foreigner, she immediately found the largest pair of pants she had.  I immediately could tell they would be too big, but cooperated with her and tried them on so she might agree to looking for a smaller pair for me.

Unfortunately her make shift change room, was simply a cloth sewed as a tube that I had to try and hold up with one hand while I tried to wiggle in and out of the pants.  I’m sure her Lao customers are very adept at this procedure, as they use the same cloth to take a bath in public places, but this foreigner was not very skilled.  I’m sure the silent husband watching TV in the corner enjoyed my antics, but I don’t think I gave him much of a show.

After I tried on the first pair, I requested a size smaller in the same colour.  She did not have a size smaller in the same colour and so offered me the same size in another style and colour, insisting that it was more beautiful if the pants were too big.  This pair also did not work for me.  By this time, she had also recruited the assistance from the neighbouring vendor, who brought over a pair of pants one size smaller, but in a completely different style.  Once again I did the wiggle dance and tried this pair on.  Unfortunately this pair was too small and unfortunately this was the only pair she had in this style and fabric.  She immediately brought me the same colour but in a different style and weight of fabric. 

They both made numerous suggestions of alternatives; however, after eight wiggle dances, I was tired.  I left frustrated by the process and the vendor was also frustrated she had not made a sale after all her efforts.

As I reflected on the experience, I got to thinking about how to transform the pursuit for pants in the future.  Perhaps the vendor had a good point, maybe big pants are beautiful, as they could perhaps be altered by a good tailor??