Tiny Story #16: The Upside of Wardrobe Malfunctions

The other night I went to an event in Manhattan. I'm a pretty big introvert these days so it takes a bit to get me dressed and out of the house. Taking a couple of trains and battling other pedestrians usually keeps me home. But I was interested in the topic, so even though I was nervous, I went. A few minutes after I sat down a woman appeared behind my shoulder, using a sweeping motion , quickly tucking something into the back of my shirt.

You have a tag sticking out. I hate it when no one tells me so...

Oh crap. I hate coming home to realize I looked like an asshole all night and no one told me. Thank you so much.

Instead of being embarrassed as I would have been in the past, I looked at it as an opportunity to meet someone new. So I asked her about herself. What she'd been up to in her life. These days she was a writer and cook. In her earlier career she used to be a stylist for a bunch of famous people, including Joan Osborne in the 90s.

Joan Osborne was my style icon. And the reason I got my nose pierced, I told my new friend.

We exchanged information and promised to chat about our common interests (fashion, writing and natural health). I was pleased I took a risk and meet someone who'd lived such an interesting life, concluding the event was a success. I even considered making another fashion faux pas in the future in the hopes of meeting someone just as interesting.