Lessons From A Sales Woman

My mother-in-law owns a little shop she runs out of the front of our house. She sells all kinds of things, from baseball caps and hair gel to clothes pins and kids' toys. Every couple of weeks she has Hernan take her up to Guadalajara to buy more merchandise. We visit the marketplaces and street vendors, searching for bargains, and return laden with bags and bags and bags of stuff she can mark up for a few pesos. The profits are small, but she makes enough to put tortillas on the table.

Here are some things I learned today while accompanying her to Guadalajara.

1. Even if you're holding a baby and many large parcels, sprint across the street, because the taxi cabs will not slow down for you, though the driver may honk. He will hit you.

2. Even if you're holding a baby and many large parcels, get out of the way of the ladies with push carts. She will not slow down; she will not honk; she will hit you.

3. All women evidently fit into a B-cup bra size. This is the only size bra my mother-in-law sells in her shop and the only size we saw for sale in GDL.

4. Why wear tight jeans when you can wear spandex leggings designed to look like jeans?

5. Only buy baseball caps that come with tags and stickers. These indicate that the cap is new. Dudes in San Juan pay extra so they can sport caps with tags and stickers still attached.

6. Girls' clothing must be pink.

7. Next time bring snacks.