Lately, I have been wearing my fake braces that I made myself from clear retainers I got online when I go grocery shopping. They have large brackets and, an upper expander, and I wear them with J hook headgear.

Up until now, I have only talked to one person about them, the girl at the meat counter at Whole Foods and never have talked with someone who was wearing braces themselves. This changed this evening.

I needed a few things, and went to Trader Joes for a couple of items, wearing my fakes and headgear. The clerk at the express lane was free and waved me over to her, a young woman with blondish hair. When I got to the counter, she smiled wide, and I saw her brackets an her very straight teeth.

She ran her hand long her face and said, "Old school. May I ask why?". I simply replied, "It's easier, I didn't have to have surgery." and I opened my mouth and pointed to my expander. She replied, "Maybe I should have gone that way." which I took to mean she had jaw surgery.

I made my purchase and we smiled at each other and I was on my way. A brief and very thrilling encounter. I have never had a conversation with someone wearing braces about my braces. 

The only other time I ever ever talked to anyone about what was going on in my mouth is what I wired my jaw shut years ago. I happened to run into a woman who was also wired shut and we talked for quite a while. What a thrill!