You look like Gurl!
The sales pitch seems a little less intense as we make our way further south in Vietnam. This could be the reason why we decided to do some shopping. We really don’t care to shop at all and hate it when we ask someone about a place they’ve been and the response is “they have great shopping!”
But, here in Hoi An there are over 200 tailor shops that can custom make nearly any article of clothing you want for pretty cheap. In Hoi An, we were swayed to the dark side. So, I promised WD some silk PJ’s. We arrived in town starving and went straight to lunch where we met another long term traveler, Amanda. I saw the opportunity to pawn WD off on another shopper so I handed her my wallet and went straight to the hotel pool.
Later that night WD returned with no money left in my wallet (in all fairness it wasn’t much). But, she was very excited about the deals they had found. Now my brain started turning and with my very persuasive wife I soon found myself getting measured up for some silk pajama pants a la Hugh Hefner style. At least, I thought it was very playboy–my tailor, Mr. XE (pronounced ‘Zee’), thought otherwise.
“You should get cotton pants” Mr. XE said.
“Why?” I asked.
“Cause you look like gurl!” he said sticking his face into my personal space. Dawn and Amanda lost it.
I’m asking for pants, not panties here buddy. I can buy cheap cotton crap at home so I insisted on the silk. “Okay, I can make… I’m not wearing them” Mr XE muttered.
After much groping and fondling by the flamboyant Mr. XE he finally had his precise measurements and we were told to return the next day. We left feeling excited… if a little violated.
I was trying on the pants the next day in the back of the shop and WD thought they looked good. “Look like woman!” bellowed Mr. XE as he burst into the room. Again, everyone lost it. Emasculated by a 5 ft Vietnamese tailor–unreal.
I waited in the front of the shop as the girls tried on their dresses. I started flipping through the books thinking about a suit jacket to reclaim some of my manhood. The problem is I still look like a scarecrow and a custom fit will be worthless after six months back on my American diet and exercise program. I asked if it was possible to leave some room in the jacket. “EEEASY!” said Mr. Xe. So, for $40 I bit.
Returning the next day, I suited up. “Purh fect!” barked Mr. Xe. He slapped me on the ass and we were finished. WD finished her 3rd fitting and got her butt slapped too–it was a wrap.
Quite the character.
“You happy??!”
Yeah Xe, we’re happy.
Justin said:
You are both an inspiration. I am also in my mid 30s, and I want to do this, but I thought I was too old. Thank you for the hope.
Cris said:
Oohhh.. I think he was being nice to you! LOL
I’m now curious to know how the dresses are, Dawn!
WanderingDawn said:
Hi Justin,
I wanted to thank you for your nice comments. I hope you take the plunge, too!
Hi Cris,
I love my dress from Mr.Xe. So much so that I sent it home so it would not get ruined out here. They were very thorough and actually took the dress back when I thought it was done because he was only 80% happy, and you don’t get the dress until Mr.Xe is happy and he slaps your butt.
Theresa said:
That’s a great story. I’m laughing just thinking about it. From the little bit of the dress I can see in the picture, it looks awesome!
Mark H said:
Great and entertaining story. It looks like a great outfit and you have done well.
Amanda said:
You recounted the whole situation perfectly, Sean. Nice one. I still crack up everytime I remember Mr. Xe muttering about how you looked. He was such a perfectionist, and he was clearly happy about how the pants fit, but he was in disbelief that you wanted them in silk. Too funny.