Cheekie said:
Indeed, I can understand what you mean about the shop dynamic...the last time I walked into a shop the clerk walked over to show me the "flavoured" selection.... which, for some reason it made me a bit testy, I replied with " where are your medium to bold selection " Without hesitation he decided to ask me if I was shopping for a friend.
The experience was a train-wreck...But after a few moments I found what I wanted, made my way to the register, there he attempted to engage me in the typical pleasanties of "oooh this is a nice smoke ..." I bobbed my head gingerly and waited until paying for it to let him know that I look forward to trying it.
He actually invited me to smoke afterwards...
I guess he really didn't expect me to be a smoker, I can understand where his mind was...
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Cheekie,
If 99% of the retail customers are men, and the 1% that are women smoke flavoured cigars, should you have expected anything less?! I mean, knowing what you know of the "culture", it seems reasonable to expect a sales clerk to go on his prior experience, and show you what "most" women come in lookin' for. Then, after realizing(being told) you were going to smoke 'em, he invited you to stay around and enjoy them there.
I'm not sure why you'd of gotten "testy" or why the experience was a "train wreck". Instead of taking it personal, try telling them up front you're looking for whatever, you're gonna smoke 'em, and there won't be a bad experience. Then, when going back, they'll know you and greet you accordingly.
Floyd T.
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