A friend of mine recently discovered, while shopping in Goodwill, that her dress had slipped off her shoulder and for a good five minutes she had been walking around with, well, half her chest hanging out of her shirt. Darren and I later discussed whether that's the sort of thing we'd point out to someone. "Surely they'd KNOW if their nipple was hanging out, right? Maybe it was a stylistic choice? You just never know, Ma."
(I'd like to think I'd tell someone if their chest was hanging out. But it seems like the zipper siutation magnified and I think I would debate about it for so long that I would just freeze and say nothing.)
I always tell people! There is the momentary awkwardness (but heck! That's my life on the daily) and then just sheepish gratitude!
Once I was catching a bus and the girl I front if me has like 10 green inch worms all over her back, and then after telling her (she was horrified), she tasked me with removing Said worms. Could you imagine her horror had no one said anything?!
I think depending on the situation it can make you feel like kindred spirits. During the orientation for my study abroad program in college, I subtly told a girl sitting next to me at dinner (who I'd just met) that she had something in her teeth and she was immediately so thankful. She told me I was a true friend at the time, and she's still one of my best friends more than 20 years later.
I pretty much always tellpeople, but I tend to do it by acting very confidently and never lingering: "Hey, don't know if you know, but I just happened to notice your fly is down! Zips betray us all at some point." Then just smile and give a thumbs up, if they are awkward I leave without bringing more attention to it, if they say something, I respond. But I agree. No zips if we can't all handle being told if they are malfunctioning.
I ran to catch my bus once and during that run, my bra shifted and exposed one of my boobs. No problem most days, but on that day, I was wearing a pretty see-through shirt. One woman on the bus gave me weird smiles, but didn't say anything. I discovered the problem at home. Don't let people walk around like that, PLEASE! I would've been embarrassed for a second, instead I felt mortified and still wonder how many people I accidentally flashed that day.
When I was growing up, if one's slip was showing, my grandma would say, "Johnny's out of jail." Can we all come up with a common euphemism that would mean one's fly is down without actually saying one's fly is down? Come on, people, we can do this!!
We always said, “XYZ” or “XYZ examine your zipper” growing up. I was thinking maybe use an out of jail scenario, but I’m not sure “Out of jail” is a good euphemism for zippers. It would definitely get people’s attention.
In my personal experience, boogers are the demarcation line: when they stick in the most unexpected places following a particularly vigorous but careless nose-blow.
Years ago, someone at work pointed out this very issue to me. Mortified, I left work "sick" and didn't return for three days. I would have missed more, but any additional time off and I wouldn't have been able to pay rent. Thanks, Obama!
No mascots in a long time which is a lack I didn't realize I was experiencing. Oh! But I did SEE some from kind-of-afar at the Worcester Red Sox game. They can't seem to land on ONE mascot, so they have three.
Additionally, I don't have an answer to the question this post poses because I resonate with the WHOLE conundrum. Although probably wearing a shirt about one's fly being down (either one) might help one remember not to let that happen.
How about: do you ever tell people they "look tired"?
A friend of mine recently discovered, while shopping in Goodwill, that her dress had slipped off her shoulder and for a good five minutes she had been walking around with, well, half her chest hanging out of her shirt. Darren and I later discussed whether that's the sort of thing we'd point out to someone. "Surely they'd KNOW if their nipple was hanging out, right? Maybe it was a stylistic choice? You just never know, Ma."
I don't know either, but it sounds like the best Goodwill ever.
(I'd like to think I'd tell someone if their chest was hanging out. But it seems like the zipper siutation magnified and I think I would debate about it for so long that I would just freeze and say nothing.)
Plus...you really do just NEVER know...
I always tell people! There is the momentary awkwardness (but heck! That's my life on the daily) and then just sheepish gratitude!
Once I was catching a bus and the girl I front if me has like 10 green inch worms all over her back, and then after telling her (she was horrified), she tasked me with removing Said worms. Could you imagine her horror had no one said anything?!
I’m screaming inside right now! This is an excellent story to tell in order to get everyone agreeing to be in the ‘Tell People’ camp/shirt.
PLURAL?! How many worms were strolling on her poor shoulders??
I think there were like 8 little inch worms! She said she'd been standing under a tree?
A living nightmare.
I think depending on the situation it can make you feel like kindred spirits. During the orientation for my study abroad program in college, I subtly told a girl sitting next to me at dinner (who I'd just met) that she had something in her teeth and she was immediately so thankful. She told me I was a true friend at the time, and she's still one of my best friends more than 20 years later.
I pretty much always tellpeople, but I tend to do it by acting very confidently and never lingering: "Hey, don't know if you know, but I just happened to notice your fly is down! Zips betray us all at some point." Then just smile and give a thumbs up, if they are awkward I leave without bringing more attention to it, if they say something, I respond. But I agree. No zips if we can't all handle being told if they are malfunctioning.
I ran to catch my bus once and during that run, my bra shifted and exposed one of my boobs. No problem most days, but on that day, I was wearing a pretty see-through shirt. One woman on the bus gave me weird smiles, but didn't say anything. I discovered the problem at home. Don't let people walk around like that, PLEASE! I would've been embarrassed for a second, instead I felt mortified and still wonder how many people I accidentally flashed that day.
This sounds mortifying. I got second hand embarrassment on your behalf! However, it is quite funny now. 😁
I want to know all the things: if my fly is down, if I have food in my teeth, if there's something on my face. Whatever it is, PLEASE TELL ME.
When I was growing up, if one's slip was showing, my grandma would say, "Johnny's out of jail." Can we all come up with a common euphemism that would mean one's fly is down without actually saying one's fly is down? Come on, people, we can do this!!
We always said, “XYZ” or “XYZ examine your zipper” growing up. I was thinking maybe use an out of jail scenario, but I’m not sure “Out of jail” is a good euphemism for zippers. It would definitely get people’s attention.
Yes! Stuff in teeth, boogers, I pick off (or point at) lint and hair, I'm there for you! I want the same for me. 😊
In my personal experience, boogers are the demarcation line: when they stick in the most unexpected places following a particularly vigorous but careless nose-blow.
Those old advertisement pics are seriously disturbing...
You most certainly do not look like sociopathic demon child.
Years ago, someone at work pointed out this very issue to me. Mortified, I left work "sick" and didn't return for three days. I would have missed more, but any additional time off and I wouldn't have been able to pay rent. Thanks, Obama!
No mascots in a long time which is a lack I didn't realize I was experiencing. Oh! But I did SEE some from kind-of-afar at the Worcester Red Sox game. They can't seem to land on ONE mascot, so they have three.
Additionally, I don't have an answer to the question this post poses because I resonate with the WHOLE conundrum. Although probably wearing a shirt about one's fly being down (either one) might help one remember not to let that happen.
How about: do you ever tell people they "look tired"?