deal or no deal

When I dropped DD off at preschool this morning, one of the other mothers had on a nice new coat. When she was complimented on it, she let us know that she had got it on clearance. "It was only $18!" she told us proudly.

I've been thinking about this all day. Why do women do that? Wouldn't it be better to just take the compliment and run without letting us know what kind of deal you got on it? One would think that the purpose of finding a great deal is so that you can look like you spent a fortune without having done so. Or perhaps the purpose is to get as much as you can while spending as little as you can. Or perhaps the purpose is to own the bragging rights to finding the best deal.

I personally never pay full price. I am on the mailing list for all my favorite stores, I know when the change of season clearance sales hit, and I march in armed with a 40% off coupon, free gift with purchase ticket, and stride proudly to the back where the clearance racks are located. I usually leave with an armload of stuff without having paid an arm and a leg for it. It feels amazing!

But when someone compliments me on how I look, should I smile and say "Thanks!" Or should I say "Thanks! I got it on sale!" ???