Begrudge neither their stolen time nor vanity. Young girls, working mothers who took off from work and retired women from Alabama found themselves in an almost completely mono-gendered crowd. In its 13th year, as in years past, the show was selling something they seem hard-pressed to get elsewhere.
Southern women like to be pampered.
If they don't get it from home, they'll go find it. For four days, it is here. Rich purple, blue and green carpets usher entrants through the Nashville Convention Center's aisles. Side by side, bags of samples bumping between them, women chat with smiling sales reps at each booth. The reps want to show them quick, delicious recipes to make their lives easier.