vinegar

i had this super weird interaction with a stranger today at david's tea. she came up to me and asked me about my stroller. this is not uncommon. for some reason lots of people are interested in it and where i got it, etc. she specifically asked me how much it was (not something anyone has come right out and asked me before), so i told her, and explained about the extra features we got to convert it from a bike trailer into a stroller. she listened and nodded. then eventually she said "i just got a bike trailer at target for $38". not knowing what else to say i responded "wow!" and was sincere about it because that's undoubtedly a bargin. but then had nothing else to say. the lady said nothing else, and walked away.

i felt funny about the interaction, but tried to act normal and friendly when i passed her on my way out the door. but ended up concluding that she purposely came up to me, a complete stranger, to brag about the price she paid for her trailer after specifically checking to make sure i paid more than she did. i felt dumb, but i also felt cheated because i was just being a friendly fellow-mom, and she was setting me up for a competition. i don't partake in "the mommy wars" so i'm not accustomed to that.

part of me feels justified in feeling mad and taken-advantage of. but another part of me feels sorry for her, because she clearly doesn't know how to interact with other people.