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December 12, 2006

Assilimation

My neighborhood has two predominent populations: people of Hispanic origin, and rednecks.

My neighborhood also has one of the best thrift stores in the St. Louis area, and it's a great place to see these two neighborhood factions comingling. It's also a great place to find cheap designer purses of questionable origins, amongst other things.

Last weekend, my mom and I paid a visit to the thrift store, and I found the most fabulous 1950s blonde veneer dresser, chest of drawers, and nightstand for $25. Twenty-five dollars! I should have thrown my body across its vintagey retro goodness and refused to move until someone hauled my furniture and me to the truck, but no. I just had to be a tightass. "Tuesday's 25% off everything day. I'll wait and get it then," I told my mom. Because, you know, that $6.25 is going to make/break me.

Went back today, and my lovely furniture - furniture I'd already found locations for in my house - was no longer there.

But this isn't about me, my cheap ways, and furniture I really didn't need in the first place. This is about the culture clash I witnessed while standing in line to pay. Although my furniture was gone, the winter coat my mom was too cheap to pay $15 for was still there, and I got to stand in line to pay for it.

The cashier was Hispanic. The customer in front of me was not. When the cashier finished the transaction, the customer took her bag of purchases, smiled at the cashier, and said, "Hasta la vista, Baby!"

Tomorrow, perhaps I'll post a picture of the nativity scene up the block from my house. You know, the one with the Brinks Home Security sign positioned over Baby Jesus' head.

Posted by Robin at December 12, 2006 11:01 PM

Comments

Robin, Robin...I love thrift shops. I must admit that I am a compulsive buyer and would never have held out to save 6.50...you're so strong!

Posted by: JO at December 13, 2006 12:20 AM

I love shopping at my local thrift shop. I actually have to limit the visits because I would literally buy out the store if I went as often as I like.
BTW, I'm blogging again. Would love it if you visited me!

Posted by: Coleen at December 13, 2006 10:31 AM

there are people who hang around in thrift stores and look at stuff that others want to buy and then nab it when they are undecided or leave it - i lost the best leather jacket like that ! i went outside to the atm to get some cash and when i came back ...

Posted by: RamblingMan at December 13, 2006 10:48 AM

there are four "charity" thrift shops in my neighborhood. i live in an area that is much like yours as it is a culture class... very wealthy and people (like myself) that have lucked out and found cheap rent. in the past i have seen in the in the windows hermes change purses, jimmy choo shoes, and fantastic vintage hats. two weeks ago there was an ENTIRE set of louis vuitton luggage in the window with a sign that said they would go on sale at 9AM the following saturday. i got up (because really LV luggage?) and there was a line of twenty people to get that luggage in front of me! needless to say i did not get the luggage of my dreams, i did score a burberry raincoat though. viva la thrift stores!

Posted by: libbyfish at December 13, 2006 03:50 PM

Your neighborhood is the most unusual mix of wacky, amusing, annoying and downright mind boggling. I can't decide whether you should move to Pretty Town or not...I'd miss all the neighborhood stories.

Posted by: Dixie at December 13, 2006 03:56 PM

I hope your Mother doesn't think she's busting in on my territory!

Sorry you lost what was rightfully yours, but I can't help but think something better is just around the corner, right next to the accordian or the deer hoof ink well.

Posted by: pkb at December 13, 2006 09:20 PM