All the talk about people standing around in bathrooms in their underwear reminds me of something that happened decades ago when I was young. My husband and I were at a very important dinner (hosted by the partners -- attendance mandatory) for all the other professional employees in the company.
I had to buy a real evening gown, my first ever.
As the waiter brought food to the table, he had a tray he was holding up in the air with his left hand. The tray had beef slices on it. He tipped the tray just a little. Suddenly I had a lap full of bright red and brown beef juice.
It was horrifying. I rushed into the bathroom, stripped down to my strapless bra and pantyhose and put the dress and long half slip under running water in two of the sinks. Suddenly the room was full of incredibly helpful women helping me rinse my clothes. Then they helped by taking turns holding the slip and dress under the little blower hand dryers.
AMAZINGLY the juice all came out, the clothes dried wrinkle free and I returned to the dinner although everyone was pretty much finished eating by then. Only after returning to the table did I realize that the one woman who had been the most helpful of all (and had also missed her meal) was the wife of Mr. Biggest Boss of all.
I was impressed that the one person I would have expected to be the biggest snob turned out to be the one who was most gracious and helpful and sympathetic. That lady had real class.
