OF A GOLDEN AGE

In the past I was a devoted fan of Nordstrom, the only (and higher-end) department store toward which I had any allegiance really. Their shoe department was unmatched in variety, quality, and customer service. In fact, on several occasions I have spent a little more than I should have on well-fitting shoes, because my feet are large and hard to fit and it is especially nice to tell a salesperson, “Bring me all the size 11 or 12 sandals you have.”

Especially in hard economic times, you’d think Nordstrom would welcome with open arms anyone who wants to spend money there, but I guess not. A couple of months ago, I approached a salesperson at the Oak Brook (Oak Brook, Ill.) Nordstrom and said, “I’m looking for a pair of sandals under $40 in a size 11.” She actually laughed and said, “I don’t think I’ll be able to do that.” Was she kidding? I’d just walked past a whole display marked, verbatim, “Sandals Under $40.”

This weekend, at the Old Orchard (Skokie, Ill.) Nordstrom, I gave vague instructions to a helpful salesperson, who brought me five pairs of sandals. Only the final pair fit right, and when he told me they were over $100 I mentally blanched and said, “I’m sorry, I can’t afford that.” He said, “Well, thanks for trying them on,” left the shoes scattered all around where we’d been sitting, and quickly walked away from me without another word.

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