I went into London Drugs today, to pick up photos and toiletries that I need for a trip in July. Turns out you can make all your purchase at the photo counter, and since they weren't busy, I decided to do so.

I start emptying my basket; mini shampoo, mini conditioner, mini deodorant, mini toothpaste. You get the picture. The girl at the counter smiles at me and says, "going on a trip?"

I smile back, tell her yes, to California. I'm obviously going on a trip, but then, she's just making conversation.

Then she nods and says, "I can always tell."

Gee! What tipped you off? Is it the $30 I'm spending on travel-sized cosmetics? Or perhaps it's the red suitcase I happen to be lugging around with me? And no, she wasn't being ironic.

I try to tell myself that people that people are smarter than that. That as a whole, our species has developed beyond the point where we feel clever simply because we sometimes pay attention. Then every once in a while, I get a wake-up call.