What I've learned working at a bathing suit boutique....

 I've learned a lot actually. Not necessarily about sales and business....but I've learned so much about what people think about themselves and about their body image. I worked in a really small store and we had usually a customer or so at a time so it was usually just me and the customer and most of the time I could get the customer to show me the suits they try on so I can make sure it fits and give my honest opinion about how it looks. I'm glad I didn't work commission!

Overall I find that people are SOO SOO hard on themselves. People don't want to wear a bikini even though they have a hot stomach. They had kids so they feel like they need to wear a grandma suit to cover everything up, even when they could wear something modest but flattering. People think they are fat. Have big hips. Boobs are too big or too small, too bony, to squishy, flat butt, too much butt, and the biggest thing I noticed was people always think they are bigger than they are. They say they are a size 8 or 10. And they fit into a size perfectly. Or they say they are a size 20 and they fit into a 16. You get the idea. 

It is so sad to me to see how bad people feel about themselves. I know wearing a  bathing suit can sometimes be a scary thing but it just made me realize I needed to be people's therapist during this. Just because someone is 45 doesn't mean they can't look fabulous in a bathing suit! And even if people haven't had a lifetime of weight struggle, everyone can struggle with body image.

We are SO hard on ourselves. Myself included!! But other people don't see the flaws like we do!!

I just thought it was interesting and I wanted to share my experience with you all. My last day of this job is Thursday and I am starting a more "ME" job hopefully on Friday which I'm exited about. 

Katie this is so true. Thanks for posting it. Good luck with your new job!

Very true and very much the fault of the constant bombardment of ads that intimate that if you are not model slim, young and beautiful you are not good enough.  Having to wear anything over size 8 is to be considered fat--and size 8 is pushing it by some viewpoints.  Your boobs must float like butterflies. Your teeth must be white enough to glow in the dark.  And so perfect they look like dentures.  Your skin should not have a single blemish.

It's no wonder that so many women are neurotic about their self-image.  And it doesn't help when you see guys with beer bellies hanging down to their knees, and giving Quisimodo a run in the looks department,  sporting bumperstickers reading "No fat chicks."

I think you're absolutely right, most people (especially women, but I think men too) feel horrible about their bodies.  I think there are about a million reasons for this, but yes, it is very sad.

Just think for a moment about how incredible our bodies are.  Whether they are fat or flabby or have stretch marks or whatever.  Think of all the incredible things our bodies do.  And instead of appreciating them, we hate them.

So very true. I have the same thoughts about my body all the time. I do NOT see myself the way I imagine someone my size to be.

Re: the No Fat Chicks bumper sticker, I saw a new one yesterday on a 4 X 4: "Jack it up - fat chicks can't climb" 

 This job is one of those life-lessons that you'll be able to carry with you and have been better because of what you learned. When you get too far inside your own head and criticize your appearance, remember that everyone feels the same way - - and those that don't, have to work REALLY hard against that impulse. It doesn't matter the money or success you have in life, we all have to face the mirror naked. A really successful human being has learned to love at least something he/she sees reflecting back.