A Sari Saga

I own one sari, which I purchased in Chicago before leaving for India. I wore it once or twice when giving presentations at home, but I have not worn it since arriving in India. Well, yesterday I decided to give it a try. I'd been paying close attention to how the women wear them, and I actually thought I made a pretty good effort of getting dressed in the morning. Certainly, it wasn't perfect; but it was on, and I thought it looked alright.

I received a few positive comments regarding my sari at breakfast, and I went on my way, proud and happy to be in the true traditional dress of India. However, when I got to my office, my positive feelings dissipated. One of the female grounds workers, who visits me in my office nearly every day, grabbed my arm, took me behind a cabinet where we would be hidden from view, and proceeded to unpin and undress me. I was a bit shocked that this was happening, and I was also quite upset. What was she doing??? I felt horrible as I recalled all of the effort I had put into arranging my pleats and placing my pins just so, and only an hour before. Goodbye happiness. Goodbye pride. Goodbye confidence and dignity...

Anyway, within a few short minutes, her expert hands had me put back together with my pleats in proper order and my pins in their proper places. As she left my office smiling at her good work, I was overcome with embarassment. I had thought...

Oh, but it didn't matter. I went on with my day, wearing my sari properly, and the compliments flowed freely from everyone I met. "Oh, Charlotte! You are wearing a sari! Did you put it on by yourself?" I had to smile as I said, "No, I had some help this morning." And I had to smile even bigger and brighter as, time after time, they said to me, "Well, you look absolutely beautiful."

So, thank you for your help, kind friend.