So I go to the store to pick up some leg warmers, but I happen to notice some really pretty tights on the mannequin. I ask the sales lady for the tights pointing to the mannequin. She smiles and says “These ones?” pointing to her legs because she is wearing them too. “Yes!” I say. “They look great!”
The mannequin, I will point out now, is also wearing some very stylish coordinating over-the-knee socks, a look I didn’t even know I liked until I see it looking somehow chic in this rarified hosiery setting. I wonder at the back of my mind why the saleslady doesn’t wear those great socks too.
She asks me what size tights I need. “Hmm, probably the smallest size”, I say.
She regards me a bit quizzically and asks, “Well how tall are you? How long are your legs? Can you move your jacket a bit, so I can see?”
At this point I am a bit confused because as a petite person living in Germany, I am more commonly sent to the children’s section than questioned whether I really need the smallest size. I say, “I don’t know my height in centimeters but I am, I don’t know…” casting my eyes about for a reference point when I notice the saleslady is actually quite small too, “about like you.” I finish.
Now she is really looking at me oddly and asks, “Are you wearing heels?”
“Yes!” I say, “huge ones!” pulling up my pant leg to reveal my chunky platform boots that were previously obscured by my Perfect-Pant-Length.
“Ahhhhh”, she says, smiling now, and gives me my tights.

I bring my prizes home—I bought the delicate over-the-knee socks too--and try them on. I know now why the saleslady wasn’t wearing the beautifully coordinating socks. The perils of tall socks in a land of tall people—they fit me like thigh-highs, a rather odd look for socks.

Reflecting on this long story (is anyone still with me?) I was thinking,
(1) I did not notice the saleslady’s height when I walked into the store, although she was unusually small.
(2) When I actively thought about it, I perceived her to be like me and didn’t realize I was looking down at her until she reacted strangely to my insistence that I was the same size.
(3) She looked completely stylish and adorable. That was the main thing I saw.

I think it was interesting that I didn’t notice her size. What I am wondering now is whether most people notice their size in relation to other people, and I am just oblivious. So, do you notice much?