Finding the perfect glasses
Finding glasses - not so easy
I am looking for new glasses. That is not easy for me. Because I do not like to wear glasses, but consider the contact lens for one of the greatest inventions of humanity, approximately right after the invention of the wheel. Other women look great with glasses, the glasses emphasize their personality, they look so sexy, mysterious, smart. On the other hand, with my eight-year-old model, which I sometimes reluctantly wear to relieve my eyes, I only look short-sighted. That should change: I would like to find a really nice glasses that I actually put on - and began to look for.
Owner-operated traditional optician business in the neighborhood
For over 60 years, this optician is a family business, so the sign on the outer facade. And I also feel quite familiar, because the owner of the store - she runs the business together with her husband - receives me so warmly with a "Come on in, drop off, that's a weather outside," that I just for that reason I hope to find my dream glasses here. I explain to the nice optician what I'm looking for: simple, classic model, like black, not so dominant in the face. It is enough for me: a pair of glasses with a pop-colored floral pattern on extremely wide temples, model Ilona Christen for talk show times - "They are very up-to-date and are very popular". Oh no. It had started so well with us. "Uh, I'd rather have something more subtle, please."
I am getting more trend models - big, small, brown, white, colorful, wide stirrups, narrow stirrups, rotating stirrups. Unfortunately, I find one worse than the other. Later, about twenty models that are indiscutable for me later, then a stroke of luck - chic, looks good, and even the optician says for the first time: "I like them well."
I look at the brand and the price tag: an obsolete model from Gucci, reduced from over 250 euros to 98 euros. A great bargain, which I honestly did not expect.
"If you are interested in special offers: We have just reduced many glasses," says the optician. But I am quite happy with this.
Cost: 98 euros for the version plus 75 euros for simply glazed glass.
Downtown branch of a large nationwide chain
It is definitely a mistake to come here on a Saturday afternoon. The store is teeming with people, every professional present is fully occupied. I am alone helplessly between a striking selection of glasses on several floors around, in the hand, this kind of set box, in which you can sort in question models first. It takes me forty-five minutes to put on three glasses. While I try on a fourth and just look in the mirror, another customer steals my preselection and then pull away with my glasses, which finally spoils my lust. Anyway, it's almost unthinkable to have any advice today, a shop assistant tells me well: "There are still ten customers ahead of you. If you have any time, you'd better come back on a weekday."
Second try on a Wednesday morning. As soon as I enter the store, I have a very obliging optician next to me, who helps me with angelic patience to sift through the huge selection, until we have limited her to six glasses after an hour. For each pair of glasses, he honestly tells me his impression: "I think that's a bit too wide for your face, it is not ideal on the nose, but try this model" - and then actually brings me one that the other than exactly that it is a little narrower and rests better on the nose. Praised be the winning selection! After another half hour I have two glasses in my hand, both of which I really like, and one of them does not even cost anything, I just have to pay for the glasses. I still tend to the more expensive Ray Ban.
Cost: 105 euros for the version and about 90 euros for completely anti-glare, narrow-cut glasses, the simplest glasses cost about 35 euros.
Chic trend optician in the big city-Gutverdiener quarter
Optimal advice rate: When I enter the store, except me, only one other customer is there, a young man who is already extensively advised by his girlfriend. That's why I have the undivided attention of a young saleswoman, who wears even a smart looking glasses: The young owners of the store also make their own collection of eyewear, which is sold here between all the other trendy brands. Unfortunately the same model is not as good as the lady, I am obviously too uncool. Too bad.
The saleswoman gives me glasses in quick succession - none of which costs less than 200 euros - and meets (apart from the price) my taste quite well: simple black models that look neither "am in the media" nor "I'm a governess". With each of them, I would trust myself out of the house, but really no sting me from the stool. On my hesitant question "Should I try something completely different?" I get a dispassionate "You must know" to hear. When I am still undecided after a quarter of an hour, she visibly loses the desire and gratefully turns to another customer who has come in.
Once I've tried almost the entire store (which is not so big), I find then but a pair of glasses, which is at least quite close to my ideas. Meanwhile, one of the owners has discovered me and asks friendly, if I need help. I take my heart: "Um, yes, these glasses here cost 185 euros. Is there such a similar something cheaper?" (And think: Of course not, after all, I've tried everything.)
But to my great surprise, the man from a hidden and camouflaged secret drawer behind the counter still brings two models that not only resemble the 185-euro glasses, but I even like a little better - and cost around 100 euros less. Even more, I am pleased that the nice owner also recommends the cheaper of the two: "A slightly smaller version is better for you, as most short-sighted." Large versions make the eyes look smaller. "
Good glasses, good adviser. Why were not they there right now?
Cost: 80 Euro, 80 Euro for anti-reflective glass.
Overall conclusion of the non-representative self-experiment
I finally found good glasses everywhere. The cost differences were negligible for my choice - even if you can of course spend a lot of money in the trend shop, if you want, and in the chain store can get away very cheap, if you have to. The quality of the advice always depends ultimately on the person you just caught - how the business acts from the outside, apparently does not matter. And: I should wear glasses more often. Somehow it stands for me.
