New Chaps from Keene Swap Meet

We went to the Keene swap meet a couple of Sundays ago. Mostly it was to wander around, check out older bikes that people had (one was from 1902). I also needed a new pair of chaps as my other chaps are too big and I don’t want to have them cut down (in case I gain weight again).

There were plenty of vendors there to try on different styles, cuts and weights. I wanted to get some Walter Dyer (they make great leathers – both WS’s and my jackets are WD), but their chap sizes were either too large or too small – no in between.

I tried several other vendors, with the same results.

Then I got to one vendor, an older man, and I asked him if he had any size small in the pile. He immediately came up with a pair, placed a belt end in each hand, and started to walk behind me. I immediately said, “I will put them on myself.”

He ignored me and started to spread his arms to put the chaps around me, so I turned, and said, “SIR, I WILL PUT THEM ON MYSELF.” He surrendered the chaps, I put them on, they were too big, I handed them back and went on my way to the next vendor.

After a couple more vendors, where there was no untoward behavior, I stopped at the last and largest display. WS had caught up to me by that time and witnessed the following scene with a late 20’s-early 30’s salesman: I asked for size small to try on and he found a pair. He quickly flicked the belt above my head so he was lowering the chaps from above my head with his arms in front of me.

I swear I must have taken the Wax-on, Wax-off lessons to heart as I brought both arm up and around and hit his wrists to break his grip on the belt at the same time saying “I will do that myself.” He took offense saying, “Well, it’s not like I’m the Craig’s List killer or something.”

As an aside, there are many reasons I may not have wanted him to touch me, besides the fact it would have been rather intimate, such as: having fibromyalgia (as one friend who can hardly stand to be touched at all), rape victims, conceal carriers, the salesman might have had bad breath – there are plenty of valid reasons that don't need to be explained to the salesman. 

Anyway, I ignored him, and tried the chaps on, went to a smaller size, and declared that those fit – except for the length. At which point he said he could cut them off, “Is it okay if I touch you?” (he apparently was a fast learner ). With my assent, he showed me where he would cut the hems in relation to my boots. I bought the cut down chaps and WS and I went on our way.

WS and I caught up with Jimmy and Ray (who we had ridden with) and I related both stories to the guys. My points being that these guys were not attempting to dress any of the men that came to their tables so there were a couple of possibilities:

• These guys assumed that as a woman, I had no idea how to put on the chaps – but that is a very bad assumption to make. At the very least in that case, they should have asked if I needed help.
• These guys thought they would get a free feel and I wouldn’t put up a fuss – obviously they were wrong on that count.

I may be trying on your merchandise but that does not give you implicit permission to touch me!

Comments

[Cop Car]

It's hard to imagine guys who think it is OK to behave that way toward a woman. Yeozee! I knew guys like them back in high school. Obviously, not enough women had stood up to them, before!

[Wichi Dude]

They used to say "sleaze sells" in the pron industry. Apparently, at swap meets, some hucksters feel it should work for them as well.

Ever think about getting a T-shirt that reads, "I have a CC permit, and exercise it." Might make a few back off.

[bogie]

WD - well, since I don't carry, that would be false and I don't want someone testing the theory just to be an ahole. However, something like "If you can read this, you are in range"** might be more appropriate and make people worry (within range of what I haven't said: bad gas, bad breath, sharp tongue, general bitchiness etc).

Sadly, even if I had been wearing a t-shirt like either described, it would not have helped as it was cold out so I had a sweatshirt and my coat on.

** This is not a saying that I made up, but one I saw on a "street sign" being sold at the swap meet .

[buffy]

Icky..... I'm glad I'm not likely to be buying any leathers. I hope the guys you faced off with got the idea and will ask before trying to dress other women.