It’s always fun when people come through the shop and we hit it off straight away with immediate banter.  This past week a cool chica from the east coast of the U.S. strolled through and I liked her the second she walked in.  Ok, ok, ok,  in all honestly, she won me over right away because she complimented the new store decor and then followed it up with saying she loved everything in there. I mean come on, smart girl with kick ass style, right??

Anyhow, while perusing the shop she commented on these three carved/engraved Indonesian style brass bells that I had picked up at a flea market during my last trip to LA.  She asked where I bought them and I told her the flea market — then threw is “For a dollar each, can you believe it?!!”  Because they’re so cute I just can’t believe I got all three for $3!!  (Flea markets are one of the things I miss the most living here.)

A few moments later she asked “Strange question…are you from a working class family?”  Yes.  “I could tell because only us working class family girls would ever feel compelled to throw in the price tag on finding such a bargain.”  She’s right!  She went on “It’s like when you have a cute dress on, someone compliments you, you say thanks and then throw in”  — she grabs her shirt mimicking a side to side demo of said cute dress — “I got it for eeeeiiiigghhhtt dollars!! A good bargain is something we’re proud of!!”

I found this super funny, because I’ve always been one to find bargains at garage sales, second-hand shops, and even lots of awesome furniture waiting to be refinished just sitting on the curb.  And she’s right, I’m always proud of the bargains I get one way or the other.  But then again, she’s also right that it’s slightly odd that we girls broadcast that like a badge of honor. Haha.

Since this conversation I have caught myself having the same price tag words on the tip of my tongue in a handful of conversations – but rather than blurting it out – I just chuckle to myself.