1. Do you taste samples at the market then walk away? Yes. And I don't feel guilty about it because it really is just a sample. And more often than not, I'm doing it to curb momentary hunger. LOL
2. Have you ever test drove a Jacuzzi in the store? LOL NO! And my mouth is still open in a shocked "O" that you did. Was this pre-COVID? Because I can't imagine being able to do that now. And I can't believe the salesguy allowed it. LOL But can you imagine? If those other places you had called had allowed you to do it--instead of scoffing at you--they could've made a sale. But I get it. If people went around doing that, they'd have to sanitize it all the time.
3. Have you ever made a big purchase you later regretted? Yes. An email mgmt course. I liked the vibe of the person selling it, but it wasn't what I was looking for.
Oh for a camera back then. What fun! Were you a bit wet driving home or did you bring a change of clothes?
We used to have a jacuzzi. Hubby decided bromine was better than chlorine and he loved really beefing up (the bromine that is)... which meant we coughed our way through our naked evening dips. Ah, the memories.
CK! The images in this piece had me cracking up. Wish I could have been there to see you all march into that shop of hot tubs. Thanks for sharing this delightful tale!
"“Because we have twelve tubs at home plus the spa in the vineyard that no one uses,” said the mom." Ah, what a waste that tub in the VINEYARD was! 😂
1. I haven't sampled anything at a grocery store since I was a kid. Sample day was the best day to go to the store with mom. We'd go back for seconds, thirds, and fourths on tiny sausages.
2. Never. It makes total sense though. You test drive mattresses, sofas and cars. Why not a hot tub?
3. We recently bought our kids a new trampoline (after their first one blew into tree and got mangled in a big snow storm two Christmases ago.) Unfortunately, in the time it took to get the new one and put it together, they kinda phased out of it. They still jump on it occasionally, but not often enough to merit the eyesore it is in our backyard.
I am a big believer in the power of the bath! And what a fun memory! A gluten allergy makes me wary of free samples, never had the chance to test drive a jacuzzi, but I did try waterbeds?! Happy to leave that with my ex! And I am a professional rationalizer, so regret is rare.
Carissa -- This was HILARIOUS. I love the details of what everyone is doing and the perception of those observing. I house sat many years ago and the hot tub was a total hassle to maintain. It was a great vacation home undergoing renovation. I preferred checking the gopher traps and the septic tank to the hot tub! You made it all funny.
1. Do you taste samples at the market then walk away? Not anymore. When the boys were young there were awesome accompaniment as they were extroverts unafraid to ask :)
2. Have you ever test drove a Jacuzzi in the store? No -- see comment :)
3. Have you ever made a big purchase you later regretted? No
I think the hot tub sampling is so smart! (And hilarious) I always eat samples at the market and chat up the person doing the sample-serving because I would secretly love their job... to just hang out and be generous with snacks :) I definitely regretted buying a big house with my ex-husband only to have him "Dear John"-me the very next week after we moved in... it was so traumatic and spendy... sigh.
There are so many things I love about this essay! "We “fixered” a bathroom but couldn’t afford to “upper” the kitchen." That made me laugh out loud. Your description of the mom with 12 bathrooms and a vineyard. I _know_ people with a vineyard in Los Altos. (I am not one of these people.) They do a press every year and invite their friends. It's very down home and casual. BUT THERE IS A VINEYARD IN THEIR BACKYARD. I grew up in lowly San Jose, Almaden Valley, but still, not enough class to be considered the peninsula lol. And my bestie lived in non other than Atherton. Back in the 80s, the wealth was less ostentatious, more granola, more old-new money than new-new money. The dialogue was great and you just made me laugh. Thank you!❤
Oh and I sampled for the first time this fall - the kind where you steal a grape kind of sample - at the urging of a friend. It was thrilling and also a little paranoia inducing. ;)
Not a sampler. Don't know why. Well, now, I'm always wearing my mouth and not interested. LOL. Sorry the jacuzzi wasn't a winner, Carissa. But love the test drive. xo
BWAHA!! OMG...
1. Do you taste samples at the market then walk away? Yes. And I don't feel guilty about it because it really is just a sample. And more often than not, I'm doing it to curb momentary hunger. LOL
2. Have you ever test drove a Jacuzzi in the store? LOL NO! And my mouth is still open in a shocked "O" that you did. Was this pre-COVID? Because I can't imagine being able to do that now. And I can't believe the salesguy allowed it. LOL But can you imagine? If those other places you had called had allowed you to do it--instead of scoffing at you--they could've made a sale. But I get it. If people went around doing that, they'd have to sanitize it all the time.
3. Have you ever made a big purchase you later regretted? Yes. An email mgmt course. I liked the vibe of the person selling it, but it wasn't what I was looking for.
Oh for a camera back then. What fun! Were you a bit wet driving home or did you bring a change of clothes?
We used to have a jacuzzi. Hubby decided bromine was better than chlorine and he loved really beefing up (the bromine that is)... which meant we coughed our way through our naked evening dips. Ah, the memories.
They should rent out jacuzzi time - I would book Tuesdays at 7:00.
CK! The images in this piece had me cracking up. Wish I could have been there to see you all march into that shop of hot tubs. Thanks for sharing this delightful tale!
"“Because we have twelve tubs at home plus the spa in the vineyard that no one uses,” said the mom." Ah, what a waste that tub in the VINEYARD was! 😂
1. I haven't sampled anything at a grocery store since I was a kid. Sample day was the best day to go to the store with mom. We'd go back for seconds, thirds, and fourths on tiny sausages.
2. Never. It makes total sense though. You test drive mattresses, sofas and cars. Why not a hot tub?
3. We recently bought our kids a new trampoline (after their first one blew into tree and got mangled in a big snow storm two Christmases ago.) Unfortunately, in the time it took to get the new one and put it together, they kinda phased out of it. They still jump on it occasionally, but not often enough to merit the eyesore it is in our backyard.
Oh Carissa, this was hilarious! Awesome post! Try before you buy - whyever not?
"This is Palo Alto; we have a code of ethics." 🤣
Laughed out loud and totally agree with the Silicon Valley observations!
Too funny. There was a Jacuzzi store right around the corner from me that recently closed. Now I'm kicking myself for the missed opportunity.
Well now I know what we’re doing for my son’s 11th birthday! Love this as usual!
I love this!
The kids will be telling this story well into their 70's! 👏 👏 👏
I am a big believer in the power of the bath! And what a fun memory! A gluten allergy makes me wary of free samples, never had the chance to test drive a jacuzzi, but I did try waterbeds?! Happy to leave that with my ex! And I am a professional rationalizer, so regret is rare.
Carissa -- This was HILARIOUS. I love the details of what everyone is doing and the perception of those observing. I house sat many years ago and the hot tub was a total hassle to maintain. It was a great vacation home undergoing renovation. I preferred checking the gopher traps and the septic tank to the hot tub! You made it all funny.
1. Do you taste samples at the market then walk away? Not anymore. When the boys were young there were awesome accompaniment as they were extroverts unafraid to ask :)
2. Have you ever test drove a Jacuzzi in the store? No -- see comment :)
3. Have you ever made a big purchase you later regretted? No
Oh my goodness, this is hilarious. I have my own hottub stories, and we didn't live far from one another. 💜
I think the hot tub sampling is so smart! (And hilarious) I always eat samples at the market and chat up the person doing the sample-serving because I would secretly love their job... to just hang out and be generous with snacks :) I definitely regretted buying a big house with my ex-husband only to have him "Dear John"-me the very next week after we moved in... it was so traumatic and spendy... sigh.
There are so many things I love about this essay! "We “fixered” a bathroom but couldn’t afford to “upper” the kitchen." That made me laugh out loud. Your description of the mom with 12 bathrooms and a vineyard. I _know_ people with a vineyard in Los Altos. (I am not one of these people.) They do a press every year and invite their friends. It's very down home and casual. BUT THERE IS A VINEYARD IN THEIR BACKYARD. I grew up in lowly San Jose, Almaden Valley, but still, not enough class to be considered the peninsula lol. And my bestie lived in non other than Atherton. Back in the 80s, the wealth was less ostentatious, more granola, more old-new money than new-new money. The dialogue was great and you just made me laugh. Thank you!❤
Oh and I sampled for the first time this fall - the kind where you steal a grape kind of sample - at the urging of a friend. It was thrilling and also a little paranoia inducing. ;)
Not a sampler. Don't know why. Well, now, I'm always wearing my mouth and not interested. LOL. Sorry the jacuzzi wasn't a winner, Carissa. But love the test drive. xo