Yesterday, I endured what no man should ever be asked to do. It was, by most accounts, the bravest and most unconditional form of love I have expressed in 2009...
I went to the American Girl Doll Store!! [insert shriek here!]
This happens to be an experience I have endured...once, last Christmas season. I swore I would never again expose myself to such visual pollution, but my wife reminded me..."it's for the kids." Before she hung up the phone, I thought I detected a snarky tone, as if to say, better you than me!
I must admit, I could not have accomplished my mission without my wife! She was by my side throughout the experience...talking me through each outfit I described...she was carving up the American Girl homepage like a trained Army Ranger, as I awaited instructions for my every move.
What my wife could not help me with was...all the people I was seeing. Moms and daughters BOTH dressed like "their" doll...Nannies and children awaiting their table for "tea"...with their dolls. Double strollers, triple strollers...more nannies...face-lifts and caked-on make up...woman dressed to the nines, boasting their cherished AG bags, as if they were just awarded the MVP of shopping!
There I was in the middle...well, actually, I was squirreled away in the corner, making calculated moves to get what I needed. But, yes, I was among them!
I escaped unscathed, but, oh the humanity!
mj
Been there once - a cultural phenonenon or a sign that western civilization is crumbling - not really sure. The grandmoms must be the linchpin the biz model - they are the ones going truly over the top. The place needs a hidden pub from the menz to get them out of the tumult and also to keep them from prohibiting yet another purchase by mom & grandma.
Posted by: mike | 12/15/2009 at 09:26 AM