Yesterday, when the three of us were having breakfast at a McDonald’s we always frequent, I saw a lady with long wavy hair walking in with two little girls. I thought she looked vaguely familiar but I couldn’t place her face then. Thinking that she might perhaps be a parent from Gavin’s school, I continued to eat my food without saying anything.
A short while later, Gavin said he wanted to drink our tea and his dad got up to get a spoon from the counter. Now, all this while, dad was sitting with his back facing the crowd and had no idea who was walking in or out. When he reached the counter, he stopped and looked at the lady who was at that point busy ordering her food. He turned to look at me and mouthed the name of the lady. Apparently she was his old friend, and someone I know by sight. Before he could say anything to her, I signalled him not to acknowledge her and he came back to our seat.
I don’t know this lady personally but I’ve seen her a few times. She used to be my husband’s friend years ago and was a ravishing beauty then, being an ex-stewardess and model. While she didn’t look exactly stylish or chic yesterday, she was at least well attired and groomed. And that was the point.
I was nothing close to that. As a matter of fact, I was sloppy. In an old shabby T, slightly tattered bermudas and a pair of dingy flip flops. On top of that, my hair was dishevelled, I was bare face and I had my nerdy looking glasses on. Well, 101% dorky!
So I didn’t feel up to meeting anyone we know. What’s more if it’s a lady who is well known in the looks department and a friend of my husband. No way am I going to risk his reputation by letting her scrutinise me and then go and make some negative comments afterwards to others about his wife. Oh yeah, I’m dead sure she would because she definitely isn’t an immortal angel. And let’s face it. That’s what we do all the time. Commenting in passing or in thoughts about how others look.
But even if I was slightly better groomed yesterday, I wouldn’t have been keen to exchange greetings with her. I can’t explain accurately why. Maybe it’s a woman’s instinctive behaviour when it comes to meeting someone good looking of the same gender. Or maybe it has to do with the fact that my husband thinks she’s good looking.
Then again, perhaps it’s just me. The insecuresmallmindedpettyshallow me.
If you post her picture maybe we can tell you who looks hotter. Hehe …
Loong: Hiyah…no need to post lah. Pipple ex-stewardess and model leh… me only ex-actress WANNABE!!!
Comment by Loong — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 @ 11:52 am
Hahahaha. Make that two of us. I’m insecuresmallmindedpettyshallow too.
mumsgather: Hahaha…I got company!
Comment by mumsgather — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 @ 1:29 pm
You are not being shallow, just honest with your thoughts. I bet many of us out there will feel the same way too, me including ;-)But not all will confess to this insecurity. You are one of the unique few….and that’s what I like about your blog
Outfront and real !
SSF: Wah…your comments made me me very happy! Haha…but sometimes I do worried about being too real for comfort.
Comment by sunshinensunflower — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 @ 2:26 pm
Well.. I’m insecuresmallmindedpettyshallow too..hahahha!! would have done the same.. if i were you..!
MB: Wahaha…I got more company! Heheh. Looks like we’re very much the same kind!
Comment by Mama Bok — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 @ 2:33 pm
“Commenting in passing or in thoughts about how others look.”
It’s not just you. We all do it. I do it the most with woman who are older than I am. I say to myself, “yes, good” to those who are looking like I want to look when I’m that age. And I say, “please, no” to the others.
ally: Only to older women?
Comment by ally bean — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 @ 6:43 pm
nah, i’m like that too. when im out and looking sloppy with my specs & no m/u, i’ll even avoid pple i know..and if anyone has seen that part of me before, it’s because i’m very very comfortable with them.
Angelia: Ya, same here. Only to pple I’m comfortable with…
Comment by Angelia — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 @ 7:50 pm
on days i feel and know i look like shit, i wear these huge oversized sunnies. or even a cap. even if i see pple i know, i won’t say hi. hahahaha.
imp: haha…yeah, look over their heads and avoid eye contact!
Comment by imp — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 @ 3:03 am
I am sure it’s not just you. It’s being women.
Lil’ Joy:
Comment by Lil' Joy — Sun, 29 Oct 2006 @ 6:16 pm
That’s why i believe in investing in a pair of snazzy specs and also wearing fitting casual wear. Sloppy can also be chic as long as you avoid wearing them loose and baggy!
DR: Wahahaha…I can’t do this. When I can’t be bothered, I ust want my glasses, don’t care totally about what I wear and don’t want to see pple. But at least none of my Ts are loose and baggy!
Comment by domestic rat — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 @ 8:38 am
my comment disappeared again? *bawls*
I forced my spam machine to puke it out liao lah…heehee
Comment by Lil' Joy — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 @ 11:35 am
Like all the women above have said, it’s a woman thing. Only DR is smart enough to have thought of snazzy specs to perk up the face. Hmmm… that’ll be my next thing to buy.
MS:
Comment by mother superior — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 @ 12:27 pm
I would probably do the same too.. but your hubby has been really nice. Checking with you first before approaching her.
My hubby would probably go ahead and chat with her while we waited for him.
ZM: I wouldn’t consider that checking…more like drawing my attention…
Comment by zara's mama — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 @ 4:55 pm
Hehe…looks like it’s a women’s thing huh..i would do the same too…so don’t worry…we’re all normal!
Eileen: Yup, looks like I really have lots of company on this.
Comment by Eileen — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 @ 10:54 am