Pinstripes and Polka Dots

Today, October 24th, 2016, Rosedale Center, Roseville, MN.
To the man outside of my work who said very loudly "I don't understand how women can spend so much on bras!":
Dear Anonymous Sir. Please understand two things. First of all, you have no idea what in the world you are talking about. Your physical makeup is wholly different than that of a woman's. I suggest you take two 10-pound weights, fasten them around your chest, and walk around in this manner for a whole day. Oh, you feel like you're slouching? Typical. It feels weird when you take a breath? Sounds about right. Your back hurts like no other? HA. You have NO idea what it really feels like.
Now, imagine those two 10-pound weights as circles that can't defy the laws of gravity - because honestly, very few things on earth can - and imagine how much more annoying those weights are when they are pulling downward. Got that in your head? It sucks, doesn't it? What's more, is that for women, those weights that we have on our chest move around as we walk, unlike the weights on your chest. Bras are the things that keep them in place and support them. You don't have the slightest idea of how much a well-made, good fitting bra can do. I have eased back pain for countless women, and been overwhelmed by their happiness as tears of joy spill down their faces, for they have waited days, weeks, months, years (YES, YEARS) for a bra to fit so well. A good fitting bra can give a woman a more defined figure, because it helps lift her chest up and accentuates her waist, which is actually much tinier that previously thought, because now her breasts are where they ought to be. So before you make judgments about bras and whether or not they are worth their costs, stop and REALLY think about the job a bra does.
Secondly, (and, no, I am not done yet!) the timing of your comment was completely and utterly horrendous. WHAT IN THE WORLD compelled you to make this remark directly outside of an intimates store? Honestly! A lingerie store is often one that women are nervous and apprehensive to come into, because bras are HARD, but finding a good one can make a world of difference. I am doing work that I believe to be important; I firmly believe that I am changing the lives of women one at time. I know I am not going to make a substantial difference in the world, but for that one incredibly brave woman who walks through the door, I will at least make her day better by providing her with beneficial options. BUT, all human beings are social creatures, and we tend to be influenced by our fellow people; I was immensely gratified that you walked by during the lunch hour, when everyone was getting food and there wasn't a single person in the store. Because if there had been, I can't even begin to imagine the reaction that the woman I could have been helping would have had. I can only hope that any female passersby who possibly could have heard you are as strong in their beliefs about the importance of bras as I am in mine. Because I can assure you, Sir, there are definitely women in the world who would have heard your comment, internalized it, and left the bra that they so desperately needed behind.
I doubt, Sir, that you will actually end up reading this, but it is an important message to men and women alike: bras, while they can be expensive, are WORTH IT. And I don't for a second mean the ones at Target or Kohl's. While those types of bras can work for young pre-teens with high metabolisms, they are not the type of quality that women need. Please, for the love of your female friends and family, do not make comments anywhere that could cause self-doubt or shame.
On the off chance that this post does reach you, Sir, I want you to know that I have faith that you did not mean to convey all of my above points when you made your comment. I simply want to share with you how your comment may have been perceived by others and how I perceived it. I realize that I directed this message towards you, but in no way, shape, or form did I mean to verbally attack you. My goal, rather, was to passionately share with you the negative affect that your comment could have had. I hope that this message does end up reaching you, and that it educates a good many people (male AND female) about the importance of intent vs impact and about how important good-fitting intimate apparel can be.
Thank you.