I met an incredible shoes salesperson today.
In my entire life, I have only lived through a couple of winters. (Yes we spend Christmas in France but these holidays don't really count due to their brevity.) My very first winter in Cambridge (Massachusetts, not England) was harsh with blizzards and over four-feet high snow. At that time, I had a sturdy pair of boots, suede and leather mix, with cute stitches on the sides.
Then there were days when the temperature was below freezing point but without snow. JL got me a pair of classic Ugg's with soft furry interior to keep my perpetually cold feet lukewarm. I'm still wearing them now - my third winter. Also I added to the collection a pair of ankle-high leather ones last winter.
In my entire life, I have only lived through a couple of winters. (Yes we spend Christmas in France but these holidays don't really count due to their brevity.) My very first winter in Cambridge (Massachusetts, not England) was harsh with blizzards and over four-feet high snow. At that time, I had a sturdy pair of boots, suede and leather mix, with cute stitches on the sides.
Then there were days when the temperature was below freezing point but without snow. JL got me a pair of classic Ugg's with soft furry interior to keep my perpetually cold feet lukewarm. I'm still wearing them now - my third winter. Also I added to the collection a pair of ankle-high leather ones last winter.
For the past two weeks I've been contemplating on a pair of leather, but taller boots, something I could wear when the streets are slushy with melting overnight snow a foot high. That first pair of boots are so worn out my toes get wet half an hour outside. And with the impending snowstorm I get more desperate about it. It is nice to stay home when it's shit outside but one implodes not long after.
So I dropped by the Orva store today hoping for a good buy that will last me two winters or more. Holding a display item, I asked the salesperson for a size 8. We spoke a bit as I wanted to know if it was waterproof. "Water-resistant," he pointed out, "but not waterproof."
"But what if I wanted to go out when the streets are slushy with dirty snow around? Will this work?" I asked.
"Where do you live?" he asked. Okay, embarrassing reply coming up. Just across the street.
"Pfffffffffffffftt!!!", hands cutting outwards as he explained, "The snow here clears up pretty fast. You see how fast they clean up the streets, right?" to which I agreed.
"But if there's a blizzard or something, you tell whoever you're seeing, to come to you. And you stay home. It's not as if you live in Brooklyn or somewhere far out or somethin'..."
"Yeah, Brooklyn, that's it. What if I wanted to go to Brooklyn when the streets are slushy then? Would these ones be good for that?" By then, I had already moved on to another pair with sturdy soles that'd prevent slipping.
"You stay home. You ask them to come to you."
Oh wow. Why is he refusing me the chance to contribute to his sales commission? I liked him and his logic. And I wanted to get a new pair of leather boots.
Not today then. But I know who I'll speak to for my next purchase. I forgot to ask for his name but he looks like Cuba Gooding, Jr. so it won't be difficult to spot him in the store.
Ppffffffft, indeed.
So I dropped by the Orva store today hoping for a good buy that will last me two winters or more. Holding a display item, I asked the salesperson for a size 8. We spoke a bit as I wanted to know if it was waterproof. "Water-resistant," he pointed out, "but not waterproof."
"But what if I wanted to go out when the streets are slushy with dirty snow around? Will this work?" I asked.
"Where do you live?" he asked. Okay, embarrassing reply coming up. Just across the street.
"Pfffffffffffffftt!!!", hands cutting outwards as he explained, "The snow here clears up pretty fast. You see how fast they clean up the streets, right?" to which I agreed.
"But if there's a blizzard or something, you tell whoever you're seeing, to come to you. And you stay home. It's not as if you live in Brooklyn or somewhere far out or somethin'..."
"Yeah, Brooklyn, that's it. What if I wanted to go to Brooklyn when the streets are slushy then? Would these ones be good for that?" By then, I had already moved on to another pair with sturdy soles that'd prevent slipping.
"You stay home. You ask them to come to you."
Oh wow. Why is he refusing me the chance to contribute to his sales commission? I liked him and his logic. And I wanted to get a new pair of leather boots.
Not today then. But I know who I'll speak to for my next purchase. I forgot to ask for his name but he looks like Cuba Gooding, Jr. so it won't be difficult to spot him in the store.
Ppffffffft, indeed.
