My boyfriend and I were thinking about buying a house on Vashon until we read Emma Amiad’s recent column (paid advertisement) about the crazy and inappropriate way one person thought folks dress here. We decided to look for a house in West Seattle instead.

Imagine our shock when we stopped in a popular market there and saw all manner of strange attire. Most of the stock clerks were covered in tattoos and multiple piercings, while some of the neon-colored hair on the customers reminded us of Los Angeles in the early 80s! A woman in line looked like, dare I say, a “lady of the evening” in 6-inch spiked black heels and a skin-tight mini-skirt stretched over a bum that rivaled Kim Kardashian’s. My boyfriend could hardly take his eyes off her, and neither could I! Meanwhile, our checker was sporting the tiniest pair of jean shorts I’ve ever seen, worn over a pair of black fishnets, with furry yellow boots that looked like giant house slippers. Add to that a tight, low-cut blouse that showcased her ample bosom and pierced navel, and we came running back to Vashon, where the strangest thing we’ve seen is a young woman sporting a raccoon tail!

— Shannon Mahan