The Truth and Nothing But...

I have lived a life surrounded by people who hesitate to tell me the truth. When I look back at some pictures from over the years, I am shocked by what I see. Why did no one think to tell me that I looked like such a loser? For instance, my childhood hairdresser...She gave me my perm and many of the styles that I had in my high school years. I went to get my hair done before picture day in the eleventh grade. I thought my hair was great until I saw the pictures. Would you believe that she chopped off half of my bangs and they were uneven? I still can't look at that picture. To make matters worse, I was walking down the halls of school thinking I was so cute with my new bangs. (Another point would be why did I not notice this myself, but thats not relevant right now).

I have had times when I asked female acquaintances for advice and I know when they are not telling the truth because I get the blank face and the quick answer that is too vague to really answer my question. When I was younger I agonized over these moments because I really needed validation from other people on how I looked. Or how about the time I walked around school with a stain on the back of my skirt from sitting in gum somewhere and it wasn't until 8th period that someone helpfully pointed it out? Right.

Now that I am older, wiser, and have a better sense of my style fashionwise, I am not dependent on others for their opinion. But I still like to get honest reactions sometimes if I am unsure about something. My fiance happens to be the most truthful person I know so I always ask him. Today I had a pinning ceremony/brunch for school and I had no idea what to wear. I really wanted to wear a dress but I don't have that many and my body is in some awkward phase where it is changing due to all my workouts, so sometimes I feel weird in my current wardrobe selection.

I tried on one dress that I haven't worn in years and asked my fiance what he thought. I barely got the words out of my mouth before he shook his head and told me, "It looks like a housedress!"

I know, I asked him for his honest opinion. But damn, a housedress? That pissed me off. I tried on a second dress and then a third and refused to make eye contact with him. To this he promptly responded, "That is the best out of everything you had on." Excuse me? Did I ask you? 

At this point, I am frustrated beyond words because I have quickly exhausted my dress options. I dig deeper into my closet and pull out a dress I haven't worn in years. I try it on with no hope that it will actually fit my body, lo and behold it actually looks good! I look sophisticated and ready for spring, exactly the look I was going for. My fiance is in the background giving me a thumbs up and smiling. I'm still a little mad but its now mixed with appreciation. Of course my mood changes instantly when I realize I have the most perfect shoes to go with the dress that magically reappeared back in my life.

So...I guess the lesson is that I am glad that I have such a truthful person in my life; who actually tells me things regardless if I want to hear them or not. He isn't scared of my anger, nor does he care. I asked him for the truth and that is precisely what I got. Sometimes its appreciated and sometimes its not...at all. Thanks boo for not letting me look like a grown ass ten year old girl in her Easter dress (not housedress).

Has anyone else had any run-ins with untruthful people that caused you some degree of embarrassment?

Correction: I was in ninth grade (not tenth) when the picture incident happened. To answer Mssantos' question this occurred in '99-00.