Andrew C.
Google
Man-fans are really a ‘thing’ here. Practical and functional. Made to a different design than the more-common female variety. There’s no ‘waist’ to the individual wooden sections; when closed it slips into and out of a jacket, trouser or jeans pocket without catching.
This was a brilliant ‘real’ Spanish store (no English spoken) run by a kind, but fierce lady. No messing about. She knew her stuff and told me what to buy once I’d told her what I wanted. I like that kind of shopping. And I don’t think €35 for a fully functional, black lacquered tool that should last a lifetime and more is expensive at all!
She looked at my previous (cheap) version (Amazon, I think...) and refused to even handle it. “Chino” was all she said. I pointed to it and said “This, but Espagnol”. She smiled. It was all she needed. Quickly she laid out three or four options, but pointed to the one she knew I should buy. I’m no fool. I listened and agreed. Done deal.
She then proceeded to label, seal and box the fan and wrap it in paper, barely taking a glance in the process. She’d done it hundreds of times before... This was shopping as it used to be. An experience and a pleasure. Retail theatre. No gimmicks or tricks. I shall think of her every time I use the fan this summer.
