Thursday, August 19, 2010

Humility is Dead

The other day the Chef found himself in a conundrum and asked me to get the female perspective from all of you.  There he was waiting patiently for his torta, having just ordered from the neighborhood Mexican place.  Next door is a popular nail salon.  In sashays a well-dressed 30-something woman fresh from said nail salon.  He described her as "one of those who was checking to see if everyone was looking at her, flinging her hair from left to right while trying to peer about inconspicuously, but making a big scenario of slamming down her fancy Birkin bag on the counter so everyone could see it was a Birkin bag." (And yes he does know what a Birkin bag is.  It's been two years.)

Anyway, as she's standing there at the counter the Chef notices her flouncy, yet long, skirt is tucked into her panties.  They are bright pink and on display for all the world to see - or at least the folks in the torta shop (and yes I did ask color and if it was a thong.  in fact i made him do a demo in the cat food aisle at petco). He was conflicted.  She was clearly on a high coming off a fresh mani-pedi - what if she went off and thought he was a perv?  Next thing you knew his order was brought over so he just left.  What a nightmare.

Question:  What would you have wanted?  A male stranger to tell you your undies and derriere were hanging out? Or for him to just leave and allow you to later die of embarrassment in peace always wondering if anyone had really noticed eventually convincing yourself they hadn't even though you know you're just lying to yourself to ease the horror? (holy run-on sentence!)

 the sun did shine.  my legs were white.  my underwear was not on display.
i've had dreams of this tunic all summer...i let it out before it warmed up.
i love all shades of purple...i'd imagined wearing it with a tan. 
pasty is not the new black. neither is one's butt hanging out in public.
this would have been my face if someone had told me -
it is the look of "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"

What I would like to know is how does a long skirt get tucked into one's undergarments at the nail salon presuming one did not use the facilities?  She had to have used the facilities, no?  And personally, I think I'd want to know.  I shudder just thinking about it.  He asked me if I thought he should have said something.  I told him I thought if there had been an inconspicuous way so as to not draw any further attention to her, then yes.  Thankfully the place was not packed.  She did have to walk down Melrose afterward though....it kind of never has no one on it 

Lady?  Are you out there?  Just crawl into your Birkin bag.  This too shall pass.  

Ever have this happen to you?  You don't have to share if you don't want to. Some experiences just need to die.

87 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh that's tough. As awful as it would be I guess I'd want someone to tell me - bad situation!

You look perfect for summer. Glad it's finally arrived :)

She Wore It Well said...

I would want someone to tell me, for sure! I tell strangers and boys I know when their fly is undone. I try and do in a jokey way and they all appreciate it. Heck I'd be all snobby too if I had a Birkin.. well I probably wouldn't.

In regards to the skirt.. if it was a maxi, maybe she tucked it in to prevent it touching her nails and ruining her pedi and then she forgot to untuck it...

Hmmm many possibilities. Not sure!

Kristin Quinn said...

Yes I'm sure it has! I can never seem to get my clothes to stay on right :) And I do appreciate it when someone tells me. Better for one person to notice right away than for the whole world to see!

annelise said...

I know I shouldn't but I always smirk a little bit when look-at-mes have soemething like this happen to them ;)

Poor Chef. I never know if I should say something. I don't always do it, because as bad as it sounds, it's just awkward. Having said that though, when I was strutting around with a shirt button undone, flashing my bra to the world and someone told me, I was grateful! Tough one :)

Lisa - respect the shoes said...

Ugh, always do the skirt check after using the ladies room, always!
I think I would've told her, but it is always awkward as heck as how to approach it - maybe a shoulder tap and finger point?
But then again, maybe that was just another method of getting folks to look at her - the Birkin for the gals and the hump-hump for the boys. Gotta give the folks what they want.

this free bird said...

Yes!! His main thing was she was really quite hoity-toity and he thought she might flip out and cause a scene in there because he's a guy

if it had been a girl telling a girl - then yes of course, but it has to be tough for a guy! i mean you could see her undies from a certain angle (thank God the skirt was full so there was a bit of coverage, but not total!!
and Annelise, I hear you. Sometimes when you're having "too good of a day" you slip in front of a crowd or youf panties get tucked in your skirt. That's how life works. A reminder to dial it down a notch.

xoxo
c

BeautyH2T said...

too funny and horrifying in equal measures. It happened to me just last summmer on a busy street in our capital during the busiest festival month. a woman and her man told me, joked and i cringed, died then built my self back up. I am glad she did tell, how many others could stomach my bhind that early in the day?

The poor chef...what a dilemma!

Love the summer look lady, you look stunning!

xxxx

Unknown said...

Beautiful series of photos and Belle Dress.
http://justeryma.blogspot.com/

JUSTERYMA

Anonymous said...

I would have died of embarrassment... that's my biggest nightmare (it makes the top five, at least, i'm sure). Well, I would have appreciated a little comment but she would probably have flipped out because she had an attitude problem to start off with... but it would have been worth seeing her flip out and go red, right? maybe?

FarmGirl said...

Shoot..... Rather tell me about it and I will only be embarrased once!
Funny post, loved it!

Leia said...

My thoughts: I would have been doubly mortified if it was a MAN telling me he could see my undies. So if I had been The Chef, I would have seen if I could find a female in the vicinity, and I would have asked her to pass on the message. I would rather *someone* told me, so I wouldn't have to be further embarrassed, but I would relaly prefer it coming from a girl.

My embarrassing story: I was in a really dirty bathroom at my university. The person before me had thrown toilet paper all over the floor (why? I have no idea). I left and was walking down the stairs when a girl grabbed hold of my arm and said there was TP stuck to my shoe! I'm so glad she told me, because I would never have noticed. Although I think she must have been wondering HOW it got there...!

Leia

k said...

ohhhh my gosh, i am torn on my answer. on one hand if he didn't tell me i might not have noticed it until later and then convinced myself that no one saw (I'm a mind ninja like that) - but...otoh...what if i were going somewhere important afterwards!? maybe he should have said something? eeeeek! poor girl. but she sounded annoying so he should have told her to bring her down a notch :)

Danielle (elleinadspir) said...

I love that top!!!!

Ugh. Never a good situation. I'd like to say tell her, but I'm sure in reality I wouldn't have known how to and left without doing it.

Kristen said...

Such a good story. i think chef did the right thing. If it were me, i prob wouldn't have minded if someone told me, but I also would have realized sooner or later, and felt less embarassed for myself. (No confrontation with strangers, great!) she HAD to have been in the bathroom.

Lovely tunic. Looks like the most comfortable top ever!

Anonymous said...

Oh no!! ha ha ha! You and Chef crack me up, every day is an adventure. I am not sure I would want a man telling me... a woman I would laugh with her about it and fix myself! xo

Katherine said...

Wow, how scary... that woman should be a little more aware of her self (her clothes) and less aware of what people are thinking of her!

Your outfit is lovely Carrie, love the floral top paired with jean shorts!
xoxo

STYLE'N said...

Carrie-I love your outfit here. It's so simple, feminine and casual! Love it !!!

Liz said...

I would definitely want someone to tell me even if it was a guy. Love the tunic--lovely colors, pattern, and fit. Ok and since I'm relatively new to your blog, I need to ask...who is Chef?

Laura said...

Ek that is a tough situation! I think in the end I'd rather someone told me to save myself from ever more embarrassment! Great outfit too, love the design of the top it's very pretty :)

L x
Half Dressed

Blogs said...

my shit always hangs out and i dont really care....haha :)

ChinkyGirLMeL said...

Well hello fashionista. You are one of my fashion icons. You always look so chic! How do you do it?!
Anyway, ok, ummm don't laugh. I think Chef might have been talking about me! Just kidding. Know what? I could be that mani-pedi lady. If you wanna how it feels to be that lady, you have to read what happened to me. here's the link sweetie:
http://chinkygirlmel.blogspot.com/2009/03/exposed.html

Staley Mc said...

I love the tunic! The colors are beautiful!

Lilacandgrey said...

First off...YES, I would want ANYONE to tell me that!
Second, was it Heidi Montag?

Nikki said...

oh boy!
I would definitely want to know, but not sure how to tell a woman like that, who is clearly on display!
Poor chef.

xx
Nikki

Anonymous said...

I would want to know.
How did she not feel a draft?

Lisa Griffin said...

Wow I would want someone to tell me!, but this girl's attitude makes it a diffcult call. maybe the skirt got stuck when she slid off the pedi massage chair? Either way perhaps this was karma catching up with her for her Birkin 'tude, but if your man ever catches me with my skirt in my undies, please tell me!
www.indramaticfashion.com

Jessica said...

I think I would DIE of humiliation, but I would definitely want someone to tell me just to save me from furthur embarressment. How mortifying. I just don't see how she didn't notice? Would you not feel a breeze? Especially with a long skirt. I'm just perplexed.

carglez94 said...

nice nice nice blog! i like a lot your blouse!
ps: visit me, thanks!
xo xo carr♥

Closet Fashionista said...

Oh jeez! How embarrassing! That happened 2 years ago at Christmas to me, luckily I had tights on and my dress was long enough to still be covering my butt...and it was just family XD
I'm not sure...if the guy was really cute I might not want him to tell me because that would triple the embarrassment...
http://aclosetfashionista.blogspot.com/

Colleen / Inspired to Share said...

Oh how sad! I don't know if I would want a guy telling me, I think that would just make it more embarassing.

Love your tunic!

Tiffany Kadani said...

I would do it! Very discretely. Happened to me once- in 7th grade right in front of my crush! Yikes!

Emz said...

I believe in knowing. for sure!

Marie a la Mode said...

If she wasn't such a show-off (okay I sound like I'm seven but that's the first word that came to mind, I apologize) I totally would have told her but since she seems like she loves to 'flaunt' I'd chuckle as I would watch her flaunt her ASSets. If this was happening to me I would totally want to know. I don't care if the guy is a pervert or not, my ass is not for the public to see!

Marie a la Mode said...

P.S. I love your tunic!

SabinePsynopsis said...

There's a little nasty girl in me giggling 'serves her right' and no, he shouldn't tell her, let her run around like this a bit longer. But if I turn to my decent, sensible side I would say: Yes, he should have (quietly) informed her. It's still bad enough to want to crawl into a little rabbit hole.

Apart from this - Beautiful blouse!

Brianna said...

As long as he wasn't shouting it to the whole shop, I would rather be told. The fewer people that have to see it, the better. And it would be much easier to make a joke of it and laugh it off with someone if they told you.

MrsFord said...

oh gosh, YES I would want to know! Sometimes Karma is a big bitch though if she was being snotty...

J. said...

Omg carrie...you dont even know - i was totally thinking "carrie is going to worry i had a brain transplant or the real jammer was abducted by freaking aliens" when i was writing my post last night haha. Dont wry...i may pack all serious but im getting back to my wackadoodle ways asap.

Cafe Fashionista said...

Is it weird that I would actually prefer the latter scenario? Seriously. I just don't know what I'd do if some random guy walked up to me and told me of my fashion faux pas. I think I would just die then and there.

Though I'm with you...how on earth does a long skirt get caught in someone's underwear? A bit odd. Luckily I have never before had this happen to me; though my mother once walked a few blocks with a stray piece of toilet paper hanging out of the back of her pants!! :P

Valerie said...

I'm going against the grain on this one and I'd rather soak up the bliss of my post manicure state with my bottom hanging out for all the world to see than have a man be nice enough to tell me about it. If it were a woman, that would be different. But I'm thinking of the scenario adn I can imagine how horrible it would be to later figure out the skirt is tucked in and showing my underwear and wondering who saw, retracing my steps, thinking of all the odd smiles I was getting. But to have a man walk up to me and tell me about it would just make me want to die. At least if I figure it out on my own, I can tell myself no one saw? That's a tough one, but I'm sticking with not knowing. Haha.

I'm so glad you finally got to wear some summer clothes and soak up the sun! I'm loving the weather this week and trying to enjoy it before it's gone again. Is it Friday yet??

xo
Valerie

DT ~ RDH said...

heeheheheeheheeee!
ok, but i am def the type who both tells folks about these things ( "err, scuse me ma'am but there's something caught up with the back of your skirt - you may realllly want to take a look.") and wants to know if something funky is going down on my own person. I used to be the only one in the office who would tell the boss that he (and for some reason he often did) had bits of paper, etc. stuck to his rear. I perfected the art of being tactful with those experiences! heh heh.
Try this awesome scenario: In Walmart in the back of the store waiting in the weird office/dungeon for an online microwave purchase pickup and some super country dude dressed head to toe in Nascar duds kindly tells me that my fly is down. And indeed it is! I thanked him, zipped it up, and wanted to die.

MarlaD said...

Ugh YES that's happened to me...twice. Once on a cruise ship. Once after I left work in a hurry and went three (THREE) separate places before someone had the kindness to tell me. I was horrified beyond belief both times but thank God for those kind souls who alerted me. I think it takes courage. I also have a fly down story...I was managing a construction project (!!) and late for a meeting. I flew into the bathroom and out, and was standing at the head of the conference room table talking to (of course) a tableful of men when I noticed that my pants felt unusually loose in the front. I looked down and my shirt tail was actually sticking out the front of my pants. !!!!!!!!! I casually pointed to it, said "didn't any of you notice this?", and turned around, stuffed it in, and zipped. Then turned and went back to what I was saying. No one batted an eye. LOL

Marcie said...

Carrie,

Can I tell you how excited I am every morning to read your posts! This one is hilarious. I think I would want someone to tell me. That said, this woman seems a bit much. Is it wrong that I think she should suffer some embarrassment? I mean, we all know women like this and a reality check can do them some good. ;)

xo M

Ashleigh said...

Maybe he could have found another female to break the news? I was on date with my boyfriend at the mall (yeeeearss ago when going to the mall counted as a date :) I came out of a fitting room with my zipper undone. Luckily a lady pointed it out quietly and I thought I would DIE. She said her son actually noticed 1st and I was so thankful it didn't come from him. I'd probably laugh about it now but at the time - oh the horror!!

heather said...

Oh! This is a conundrum! I think it would be even more embarrassing coming from a man though... And if it were me, I'm not sure what would be better. I mean I think I would prefer to be embarrassed in peace. Plus I pee so often these days that the time elapsed b/w blouse in the hot pink panties and the big knowing wouldn't be *that* long. Cuz of course what would happen for me... is suddenly I would also be embarrassed of my hot pinking face. I always blush and then blush more because I'm blushing... Sheesh!

Ren- Lady Of The Arts said...

I don't think my husband would say anything- I would- I always tell people when they have shit stuck in their teeth.

Unknown said...

Oh lord, just tell me. It will hurt....but just TELL me! hahah
xo
amanda

Alicia Lund said...

Oh how sad, poor lady!!! I think I would prefer if a woman told me over a man, but regardless would want someone to tell me! yikes! I can totally understand Chef feeling uncomforatble. Love your top Carrie - amazing. xx

Sunshine and Summertime said...

I would definitely want to know! Something similar happened to me a few months ago - I was in the bathroom at my college at since I never trust public restrooms, I put TP down on the seat. Apparently when I stood up, it was *stuck* on me. I pulled up my pants, and continued on. It was probably 5 minutes later before someone told me I had a TP tail about 2 feet long hanging out the back of my jeans!! I wanted to die right then and there!

Unknown said...

Hmm.. puts me in awkward positions. :/

.. :D p.s. I love your fashion.. :D

Discovery Street said...

oh how awkward...but if I were him i probably wouldn't have told her either...it should have come from a woman.

I'd want ANYONE to tell me however...how embarrassing!

Oh, My Darling said...

Off topic from your story, but I love the blouse -- is it vintage?

Annie said...

yes, that face is PERFECT. Either way, I would be mortified. Ideally, I would like to be told immediately by a nice female!

You look adorable here :)

Diana Mieczan said...

Ohh yes...I so would want someone to tell me!!! Its really funny...hahah..:)

Kisses, my lovely...Hope you are having a sunny day:)

Susan said...

I with the tellers. I dont care who tells me just lay it out there. I would adjust, and laugh it off with some smart comment. Same goes for lipstick on teeth, blouse button undone and the unthinkable toilet tissue issue :)

Love the tunic... very nice.

btw - bitchy is the new black hahaha

cheers
Susan

Daniela said...

i think i would prefer to suffer alone,, later.lol
can you imagine? where would she hide her face if he told her then and there?

Poppies and Sunshine said...

I think it would be slightly...and I mean slightly!....less embarrassing to find this out on my own later rather than have someone tell me when all the world is looking. I agree with you. If they had someone very subtle way of telling me, then I would appreciate someone telling me.

Roxy Te said...

bahah! I don't know what's more fabulous- that your man knows the birkin or that Miss "I'm the cat's pajamas" had her skirt tucked in. How did she even get it in there with her nails all wet?! I definitely would've like to know..mortifying but better than for all of Melrose to see!

PhotoPuddle said...

Yeah, I think I'd want to be told and it wouldn't matter to me whether it was a man or a woman I would be mortified either way but it's better to be embarrased then than wander around for the rest of the day before realising.

Ms. Emmy N said...

Oh my goodness, I would have definitely wanted to know ~ and would have loved to tell that women, sounds like she needed someone to bring her back down to earth!

Mimi said...

i don't think i would want a guy to tell me that my skirt is stuck in my underwear. i'd prefer if another lady tells me. haha. back in high school, my skirt got stuck in my shorts (i wore short shorts under my skirt, haha). luckily i went to an all-girls school. :D

<3, Mimi
http://whatmimiwrites.blogspot.com/

Bekah Mae said...

You have such great style!

stylenuggets said...

Your man knows what a Birkin is? Wow! I would surely want to know if the 'skirt in pants' thing happened to me. The less people see that sight the better! Gotta spare the world some things.

Ms. Pink said...

haha! the chef sounds adorable... I agree with you, if I could tell her on the sly that she was rocking the old "tuck and go" then sure... but a sick part of me (a very small part) would just let her off into the world with her fantastic bag and her ass hanging out. lol i am evil :)

Amie said...

This happened to me somewhat recently actually...but the woman told me like I was some tramp!! I was in San Juan Capistrano at the mission, walking around while my bf (I should start calling him the musician, like you call yours Chef!) was setting up and doing a soundcheck. I had a short cotton dress on and my camera bag, which goes across my body. I was leaning up and down and moving all around and even though I was being careful, I guess the camera bag was hiking up the dress on my side. I had decent coverage on under there (the feeling of nothing on my bum while in a dress weirds me out!) but this woman came to me and said, 'you're bag - you're giving everyone a show!' like I'm some hussy. Oy!

About 30 minutes later she saw me again and yelled across the way something like, 'it's still doing it! pull it down!' and just shook her head, like I was doing something wrong.

What a prude b@*&$! If someone told me nicely I would have appreciated it, but this woman was clearly not happy about seeing a little skin. It wasn't even up to my undies apparently, but very near there.

Jess said...

AH - I'm laughing just thinking about it!! I don't know if I would want to be told or not. I guess the answer would be yes, but in a funny way, so that I can laugh at myself and not feel like such a jackass - if that's possible. WOW.

THE ALTERNATIVE WIFE said...

Oh I've had plenty of embarrassing moments! They usually include me having my shirt tucked into my underwear revealing my bottom to all :)

Love your shirt!

this free bird said...

Amie! You should have totally flipped it up in the back and given her a full underwear shot. It's not like you were some kind of mad flasher!! UGH!!!'

Jess - uh, yeah. can you imagine? poor thing. first pants on the ground (were you around for that?) and now this.

he was rather traumatized and basically baffled as to what the proper etiquette for a guy is.

THE ALTERNATIVE WIFE said...

I meant to say skirt tucked into my underwear, not shirt :)

this free bird said...

oh and ms. pink...i must be evil too. or else i see too much of the swinging hair and birkins in LA. so bloody ridiculous

this free bird said...

Alternative Wife - YOU ARE SO BRAVE! I THINK I LOVE YOU!

Jessica said...

I'd much rather have a potential perv tell me to cover up than a real perv cop a feel!

(And there's a good chance I'm going to steal your top. Just sayin')

Stacey said...

Sorry my comment is brief, but my lids are heavy with sleep. Just letting you know to swing by to pick something up. xo

laurenne said...

YES!! he should have told the lady! She probably went around like that until she had to pee again, even more embarrassing. ay ay ay! I would have wanted to know. I also would like to know what is a Berkin bag.

Kristen said...

That's awful! I would most definitely want someone to tell me! ..But knowing me, I would just laugh about it, it just makes you realize you are normal, and people do some really silly, embarrasing things!

You don't look pasty, you look hot!

Niki said...

hahaha oh noooo!! I actually check that everytime i wear a skirt. silly lady. but i def would want someone to tell me.

ps happy early bday!

xo Niki
A Haute Mess

Josie said...

Oh, what a conundrum for the Chef! I would definitely want someone to tell me, though I would actually die from embarrassment. And you look darling -- I love your cutoffs!
xo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

S.I.F. said...

Poor guy! I probably wouldn't have known what to say either!

But I so would have hoped that someone would have said something to me if it had been me... because holy crap, Melrose?!? With your undies on display?!?

No thank you!

Kelly Leigh said...

oh my gawd he should have said SOMETHING!! I mean to save her from further embarrassment and all before the rest of the world saw her booty!

So funny embarrassing story... when I was in highschool I was on a rowing team and I fell into the river in freeezing February. They pulled me out and I was so cold I couldn't move at all. My coach pulled my shirt off for me and my bra got stuck to my top and I flashed the entire boys team!! The worst part was I couldn't even move my arms to cover myself back up I was so hypothermic and all. Anyways, I'm glad the boys didn't say anything about that one after the fact! I liked to pretend it never happened. hehe

Thank you for the support on my blog! It really means a lot to me.

Ashley/ MILK TEETHS said...

Oh no!! hahah something very similar happened to my friend at In 'n' Out! Right as I saw I was like...we need to leave. NOW. Ayayay!


xx
MILK TEETHS

kelli g. { bug miscellany } said...

hahahhahahaha! awesome post!!!

i would have wanted someone to tell me (ANYone). this has all happened to us at least once, right? it's just sort of funny when it happens as one's 'comeuppance.' :P

i don't embarass too easily, and if my bum were in better shape, i'd maybe take a little bow or something. ha ha. right now it ain't nothing to write home about. :P

Tanya Dempsey said...

Fab tunic. And that's hilarious. Ladies have to have each others backs, I think.

xx

http://novembergrey.blogspot.com/

Ashley [Free Honey] said...

Honestly, i bet her sour attitude prevented people from telling her. From the description it sounds like kind of a "you reap what you sow" situation.

Dig your tunic! I think it goes perfectly well with your fair skin. (Fair sounds so much nicer then "pale" don't you think??)

xoxo, Ashley

Abby said...

So awkward! I don't think I would have told her... with an attitude like that I would have been afraid to get chewed out "who do you think you are, anyway?" And then I would have gone home and laughed. Sad.

Seriously, though. My nightmare is to have my clothes tucked into my underwear. Do NOT want this to happen to me.

Lilith-Joutsen.com said...

i love your sunglasses !

xx,
http://like-a-good-old-fashion-nightmare.blogspot.com/

Heather Taylor said...

How would you not feel the breeze on your legs from your skirt being tucked in your underwear? Oh goodness. I'd want someone, even a guy, to tell me. Spares you later embarrassment. I mean, what if she has to go to the in-laws later?

Anonymous said...

oh and this is my favorite outfit of yours. it's so easygoing and groovy. those clogs rock my face off.

isn't the cat food aisle awesome? I like to look at all the cats on the bags like I've never noticed them before and make Rob roll his eyes by saying, "Hi kitten. Oh, hello, kitten."

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