I used to work in retail. Back when I was in college I worked at one of my favorite stores, the Gap (when I was little and I watched those ads of everyone dancing they always cheered me up). I met the greatest people and had such a blast working there. It was so easy to fold jeans, or work on the khaki wall, while chatting with your co-workers! I enjoyed doing the cash register because I could easily knock out long lines. I was not a big fan of the fitting room because people did really gross things in there and no matter how much I cleaned it always felt dirty. Yet I’d often get assigned there because I was, “good with customers.” It was fun doing window displays and floor sets. The few times I was assigned to shipping or the stock room it was always a good time. It was like an assembly line and we always worked diligently while enjoying each other’s company. I also liked the music they played at Gap. And songs you thought you hated, would grow on you after hearing them repeatedly in an eight hour shift!

Where am I going with this and does it relate at all to anime? Lol well I was watching Hozuki’s Coolheadedness / Hoozuki no Reitetsu on VRV / Crunchyroll and there was a scene that reminded me of a very funny moment I had at Gap. Don’t read this and think I’m fishing for compliments. I truly did find it hilarious and of course I couldn’t resist teasing the person who told me.

It was a busy day, and I ran into the Gap stockroom looking for an item for a customer. As I entered I was greeted by one of my pals who has a great sense of humor. It was just us in the stockroom. He looks at me, and with great enthusiasm and gusto, he announced; “Look! It’s the girl voted best personality at Gap!” Okay so in a second I’ve gathered that my dear friends, maybe just the guys, have been chatting and they’ve given me this great distinction. But as as you read this, your first reaction may be the same as mine.

I know he is being sincere, and I do truly take it as a compliment. I enjoy conversations with people and making them laugh. I’ve had boyfriends, some serious, in my lifetime. I don’t think I’m a complete troll. But I also get what’s on the other side of this coin. And if you know me, you know I cannot resist a perfect opportunity to give people sh*t.

“Really, Tobias*?”

I get a blank look. He meant it as a compliment. I have a feeling the others don’t know he told me. And if they suspected he would tell me, they would’ve told him not to. Not because they didn’t mean it, but because they know how it sounds. And they know I like good-natured teasing.

I say thank you and give a little mischievous grin. I go back to looking for my customer’s item.

After a few minutes I ask him about his weekend. We chat a bit. Then I ask, as I’m still searching for this item, “Hey I have a cousin you might like! You should meet her.” You already know what’s coming. His reaction is enthusiastic and positive, and he asks…drumroll…”What does she look like?” I reply with, “Well she’s got a great personality.” THE LOOK. Maybe briefly let down? Maybe a flutter of dejection?

I cannot hold it in anymore. I am laughing so hard I almost bust a gut. I look at my walkie and headset to make sure I’m not live, otherwise all the other Gap employees will ask me what’s going on because they want to laugh too. A manager might also come looking for me, maybe to yell at me, and to ask what in the world is so funny.

Tobias has a look of confusion and bewilderment.

“No I don’t have a cousin for you! I was trying to make a point about what you said about me having the best personality!!!”

Now he realizes what it implies. Now he’s laughing. He says it’s not how it was intended! I always take into account various things when I interact with people. How they seem, their mood, body language, vibe, pattern of behavior, etc. And being friends with him, and the other employees for so long, I know it’s not anything meant to offend. If this sounds like a humble brag it was not my intention. I am honored they think highly of me. Plus the girl who was voted prettiest (because I already knew that had to be a point of discussion) was who I would’ve picked too! So I’m not even upset about that. Maybe if they had picked someone I disagreed with I could’ve been offended lol.

We could go into a whole dialogue of looks shouldn’t matter, you can’t help who you’re attracted to, things that seem hypocritical, society pressures, cultural elements, etc. but I personally just viewed this one moment, this one interaction, at a job I loved, with friends I adored, as something that made me laugh. And I was reminded of this when I laughed at the scene below from Hozuki’s Coolheadedness / Hoozuki no Reitetsu.

*Name has been changed to protect the innocent (or guilty? you decide lol)

I also included some vintage Gap commercials just because I like them.