Tolerance is a virtue

There is at least one moment in your life when you can remember feeling ridiculously out of place.  The black sheep amongst a field of white lambs.  The one dressed in red at a black and white ball.  It's a moment that you know, as much as you may want to, you're just not going to be able to blend in.  For me, this moment occurred yesterday, whilst enjoying some retail therapy.

I managed to find myself inside Blue Banana.  For those of you who haven't heard of it, it's what I would call an 'alternative' clothes shop.  From just walking in, your voice immediately starts to compete with what I can only describe as the thrashing together of a thousand tin cans, but otherwise referred to as 'music'.  Everything is black. Or psychedelic colours for the purpose of attracting attention. And if the colours don't draw you in, there's always the half-witted slogans such as 'life sucks' scrawled across the t-shirts.  Most of the trousers are ripped or weighed down by metal chains, another attractive feature.  It is truly one of the most miserable sights I've ever seen.

Of course, I never enter these shops by choice.  And yesterday was no exception; my friend needed some black skinny jeans and Topshop just weren't cutting it.  So reluctantly, we headed into what can only be described as the underworld.  I'm unfortunate to have a face that reflects every one of my thoughts despite my best efforts, and today was no exception.  I was stood rather awkwardly whilst my friend rooted through the racks when someone said 'Long Black Tunnel?'.  I turned to face the shop assistant, who had enough metal in his face to set off airport security, and realised he was talking to me.  'Sorry?' I was bemused.  A tunnel? What tunnel?  'Long Black Tunnel?' he repeated.  I looked at my friend, clearly as puzzled as I was, and then looked back at him blankly.  He stood there with a smirk on his face like an arrogant fifteen year old, and it suddenly occurred to me that he was enjoying this when he replied  'Long Black Tunnel is the name of this song. Gawwwwwd! Thought you would have known that!'  It took about a minute after he walked off for me to realise that he was making fun of me.

Perhaps I was an easy target holding a Topshop bag and wearing Uggs and an awkward expression on my face.  But soon after, my confusion turned to anger.  How dare he make fun of me! Yes, I clearly don't have multiple body piercings and dyed black hair, but you don't even know me.  I could be a huge Slipknot fan but just prefer to wear beige.  Who is he to judge me? And anyway, it's not exactly good customer service now, is it?

Even a day later, I'm still irritated by that obnoxious assistant.  I realise we may have 'cultural' differences but it doesn't make him any better than me.  Or me any better than him.  We're just different, and though our paths in life will probably rarely cross, it would be nice if we could have a little tolerance when they do.  But for now, I won't be returning to Blue Banana any time soon.