Trauma

Last week I went buy pants for the first time in a couple of years. I have many. I do not think I need more. But my wife seems to have a different opinion and kept telling me I need a couple more and unfortunately there was a bargain sale at Uniqlo on that day. So she dragged me there.
The store was simple and looked trendy to me. I was surprised that there was no salesperson attending on us. We just freely browse around in the store.
My experience of pants-puchase had not been like this. Ususally at department stores. The salesclerk is always a middle-aged lady with a exagerated expression of politeness.
"Can I help you find anything?" she says.
"No thank you, I'm just browsing." you tell her.
"Fine! take your time" she replies and gives you a smile that says "I don't really like you; I'm just required to smile at everyone."
So you go ahead with your browse around the men's wear corner and at some point you idly finger a pair of pants. You don't know why because you don't like it, but you touch it anyway.
In an instant, the salesclerk is with you. "That's one of our most popular lines," she says. "Would you like to try it on?"
"No thank you."
"Please do not hesitate. try it on."
"No, I really don't think so."
"The changing rooms are just over there."
"I really don't want to try it on."
"What's your size?" She continues as if being deaf was an indispensable quality for the job.
"I'm just browsing as I might have told you."
She gives you a smile of withdrawal but thirty seconds later she is back like a phoenix, bearing another pair of pants. "We have it in dark green."
"I don't want that pants. In any color."
"How about a nice pair of jeans then?"
"I don't need jeans. My wife is now shopping something somewhere and told me to wait for her here looking at anything.. I wish she hadn't but she did. She could be an hour but I still won't want anything, so please do not ask me any more questions."
"Then how about sweaters?"
If you do not call it trauma what is.
At Uniqlo my wife found two pairs of pants saying "Oh, only 2980 yen and 1980 yen!!"
I have no idea if these are reasonable prices, but I brought those to a chaging room and tried them on. They fit my body except for the length. With a contented smile, she asked a clerk with a reserved atmosphere for hemming. I pulled up the pants so that she might not do it too much and mignt not think my legs are too short.
I bought these and undershirts for my jogging.
Times have changed.