India accepts both the modest & modern dresser. For example, just look at the sari. The sari itself is six yards of silk which while prominently displaying the belly & back, can also be used to cover the hair & head whenever a woman goes to the temple or performs a puja. Or look at the long pajama tops now – they are butt-covering, but with very high slits up the sides of the thighs.
This frame of reference for acceptable India dressing is a perfect backdrop for my bathing suit shopping experience this past weekend. I made yet another random bathing suit purchase – this is because I can never seem to remember to pack a bathing suit on trips. It could be interesting to count up the number of countries where I have bought bathing suits. But that is another story.
This started when I walked into Blush and asked if they carried Bathing Suits for sale. First, confusion on their face. Then, recognition. They said, yes, we have Bathing Suits for sale. The sales women takes me to their bra & underwear counter and pulls out what can only be described as a diving suit, head-to- toe covering in spandex (to some, it is affectionately referred to as a Burkini).
“Do you have anything smaller,” I said.
The sales lady said, “This is the smallest size we have?”
“But maybe something with less material?”
“Oh!” More recognition on her face. She produces another suit which is a full piece bathing suit, but with extra ruffles to cover the butt and shoulders. It comes with a belt. It has flowers on it.
Pause.
Pause.
[We are both lost in translation]
I said immodestly, “Do you sell bikinis?”
“Yes, we sell bikinis.”
The sales lady takes a dirty plastic shoe box hidden from underneath the counter and starts pulling out options. Tiny options. Mixed together. Some have tags. She wraps my purchase into a brown paper bag, which goes into yet another plastic bag. Rs 400 later (USD 10), it’s off to the swimming pool.
