I DID try it on, and then I spent, spent, spent!

No silly 'can't-try-it-on-here' store was going to squelch my need for some retail therapy!
I took myself and my purse full of cash off to Hanshin Department store, a mere 2 minute walk from our apartment building, for some indulgence.

I found shoes that fit. I found jeans I could try on. I found a cute sweater dress on sale that I tried on! I even found a helpful assistant in the Levi's store that was eager to speak to me in English.

So I tried on, and bought.

Admittedly, I spent way more than I would have than if I had bought items from the cute street stores, but then, I couldn't be sure that they would have fit my oddly shaped body.

Looks like it will be quality, expensive clothes over cute, cheap ones here. And it is not my fault.

But WHY can't I try it on?

This is what I keep asking myself. Out loud. In a cute Taiwanese fashion store. I am asking myself because my Chinese is non-existent. Non-existent like the shop assistant's English.

I have walked past the cutesy clothes stores many times, admiring the girlie articles- the tops trimmed with ribbons/chains/flowers/beads; the tweed shorts adorned with bows and the lace trimmed jackets. I filled my purse with wads of NT1000 notes and went shopping. I found a cute embellished t-shirt and went to try it on. The fitting room was free - but - the assistant would not have it.

No.
No?
(pointing at sign on fitting room door that read) No fittings for sale items.
I once more made the universal gesture for trying on clothes.
Shakes head.
Confused, I put the top on the counter and walked away.

Unusual. Or so I thought. Apparently, that is the norm. Not only with sale items either. I went into 3 more stores and the same thing occurred. I even purposefully chose items that were NOT on sale. No. The assistant took the items off me - to put in the fitting room I thought. No. To fold and put into a shopping bag for me to buy. So I walked out. Confused. Again. And again.

As a foreigner in Taiwan, I am finding more and more things different here. I have a feeling this is just the tip of the iceberg.