The conversations of strangers

Spending Matters: Overheard in the Changing Room

Is this really our attitude to spending now?

Photo by freestocks.org on Unsplash

I was trying on a pair of shorts in a changing room the other day and, as every woman knows, changing rooms are great places to hear snippets of conversation.

There’s something unselfconscious about changing rooms. It’s a semi-private space where you can have a mini-fashion show with your friend. You can dissect each other’s clothing options, talk about the event you’re buying them for and generally be relaxed.

And when people are relaxed, their conversations are honest.

Now I don’t want you to think that I loiter around in changing rooms just to eavesdrop on unsuspecting people. I don’t. But occasionally I’ll pick up a snippet of discussion that I cannot help but find interesting. Or horrifying.

For a start — I can see myself

This particular conversation took place between two women in their late teens or early twenties. I remember that time as if it was yesterday. I’m only 30 now. I could hear my younger self in their attitudes and to be honest, I wish I couldn’t.

‘What do you think?’