Dressing room class wars

I have a certain weakness for clothes shopping in discount stores. I'll be in for printer paper and the next thing I know I'm roaming the clothing section, looking for that one in a million gem.

Now that I try to shop in nicer places once in a while, the difference in dressing rooms is really apparent. Mid-lower range stores have a bored (or surly if you're not so lucky) dressing room attendant to carefully count your clothes to see if you're trying to steal something. Nicer stores give you the benefit of the doubt or even assist you. The cheapest stores don't staff their dressing rooms at all, as if they can't be bothered.

While I was in a cheap dressing room, I couldn't help but notice the broken doors; missing hooks; dirty mirrors; harsh lighting; discarded clothes. Not surprisingly the garments were about as flattering- cheap cuts; scratchy fabrics; slightly off colors. It didn't make me feel good about myself. Was my hair really orange?

When I first tried shopping at nicer stores, I discovered that the dressing rooms were wonderful. Flat screen tvs in the waiting area (a waiting area!?); clean carpeted floors; nicely upholstered chairs;large hooks; wooden doors that close and lock; soft music. It just makes the shopping experience more relaxing, more positive, less taxing on your body and mind.

As I stared at my orange haired self in the cheap fluorescent lights, I vowed I was done with my rock bottom clothing shopping days. Shopping's hard enough for me, the least I can do for myself is pay a little more for a nicer dressing room (and yes of course, the nicer clothes that go with it).