Gun Store Stereotyping

[Im283]

slamming a revolver shut is every bit as bad as doing the wrist flip to shut it. I think it showed him that you did not know what you are doing.

From your self description I would use the word "rough" for your appearance. The same goes here for Mohawk boy in this thread. Whether or not you like it, how you appear to others has a lot to do with how they perceive you. And how they perceive you has an awful lot to do with how they treat you. You never get a second chance at a first impression.

Bottom line is you handled the revolver in an improper manner and were rebuked as your actions deserved.

 

[CountGlockula]

Listen...

Did you ask permission to close the cylinder or dry fire or what you can do with their firearm?

One thing to learn about gun shops or rental ranges, is they have different rules regarding handing/fondling "their" firearms.

Courtesy is key.

Or maybe that dude's bad attitude escalated when you closed the cylinder.

 

[Blackbeard]

It took me a while to learn this, but appearances do matter. Sad, I know, but true. People who just met you will make judgements about you based on how you look. It's not a character flaw on their part. It's human nature.

 

[CWL]

If you don't own it, respect it.

I "slam" magazines into my semis because I was trained this way to make sure it is seated properly. I close the cylinder on a wheelie gently because that is all is needs.

I think that if you said "sorry man", it would have de-escalated the situation. Arguing about someone else's property is pointless, even if you are right.

 

[Sapanther]

Wow folks are being asses today ... a person's mode of dress does NOT give the right to someone to treat them any differently ... folks here gush over Oleg's picture showing a hawt asian chick decked out in cut off shorts, mesh hose, and pink accents and but then slam a guy for expecting equal treatment ...


Oh and im pretty sure folks get the idea ... slamming a cylinder shut is bad ... 574 people don't need to go repeating it

you old folks need to learn a little respect ... respect for individuality ... sure you may see 1000 people a day wearing a nose-ring ... but to them .. that is "their" style just as a pinstripe business suit might be yours ... there is absolutely no reason to thrash them or think any less of them for it ... and by tossing out these seriously negative vibes out there to anyone who is different ... those new folks who may wish to get in to shooting will find no place to go .. .






damn i hate this crap ... always gets me riled up and i cant think straight

 

[Im283]

a person's mode of dress does NOT give the right to someone to treat them any differently

As far as I read no one said it gives anyone a right. several of us just pointed that it is what happens.

574 people

exaggerations do not assist you in making your point

you old folks

painting with a broad brush here. Anyway I used to think that older people did not know anything. Us young ones knew better than they did. Funny thing is the older I get the smarter they seem. you will figure it out one day, or maybe not.

 

[Sixtigers]

If you're covered with tattoos and look rough, don't expect people to fall all over themselves to be courteous to you...unless you happen to be with the rest of the motorcycle gang. I'm just saying!

Before the flames start, I'm as described above (well...full vest, back, and chest--but nothing that shows when I wear a collared short sleeve shirt--I like being able to work). Down to the '05 Springer Classic.

It took me a bit to establish rapport with my local gunshop---but now I'm treated very well there!

 

[Ltlabner]

a person's mode of dress does NOT give the right to someone to treat them any differently

Um...yes, it actually does. If you wear jeans and a muscle shirt into a 5 star resturant you will be asked to leave. If you don't wear a shirt in a 7-11 you will be refused service. If you wear a tuxedo walking down the street in a bad part of town you will most certinally be treated different. If you have a tatoo on your forehead and go for a job interview in the professional world it will reduce your chances of getting the job.

This was the gun owners store. He has the right to perceve people in whatever manner he so chooses. That doesn't mean the patron has to like it, or could choose to take their business elsewhere if treated shabbily. In other words, the shop owner is free to form his opinions based on a patrons appearace, however they do so at their own risk (i.e. the millionare wanting to spend money, but wearing overalls and a dirty t-shirt).

I love it when people don't want to "conform" and be all rebelous and stuff. But then when people respond they want YOU to conform to their ways.

you old folks need to learn a little respect ... respect for individuality

Cool....36 is now considered "old folks" ? I gave up caring about individuality when (1) I stopped being insecure about what other people thought of me (2) I realized that earning a living and providing for a family was a lot more rewarding than a bad mullet and a Led Zep t-shirt.

 

[Sapanther]

exaggerations do assist because i didnt feel like counting the actual number of posts ... without saying i didnt have the exact number the only possible way to show that the number wasnt precise was to go way over board ...

as for the old folks qoute ... i wasnt speaking of age ... the old way of thinking ... and you fall right in there by falling in to the defense of the store owner ... the OP made a mistake and then didnt apologize for it ... there-fore it is his fault ... but you ignore the original antagonism of the SO in prejudging the buyer ... if the SO wishes to stay in business he needs to learn to shove aside the problems of the day and move on to the next customer ... he needs to do everything he can to make sure that persons wants to be there ... buying from him ...

 

[sierrabravo45]

Businesses can refuse to sell you anything they want. Then don't have to actually help you either.

You are walking in THEIR store. Merchandise is THEIR property. Since they are trying to sell the merchandise they appreciate it if you handle it gently.

Oh, and I am 25......

 

[Harry Paget Flashman]

Stereotypes can be funny. Back in '97 I had just finished laying some sod for a friend and after returning the pallet for a refund I stopped at a car dealer to look at new trucks. My daughter had my '93 F-150 on loan at college, I was driving the old '84 Nissan and I thought it'd be nice to get her a newer vehicle with a warranty and better gas mileage.

As you might imagine I looked kind of scruffy from laying sod but I had a USAA "Insta-check" in my wallet. The Insta-check was a pre-approved voucher for a car loan up to $17,000. All it needed was my signature. I was going to make some salesman's day as I am no good at bargaining and would just as soon buy a vehicle and be in and out in 15 minutes with no hassle. The first guy I spotted I told, "I'm in the market for a truck!" He took one look at me...heavily tanned and grubby and probably thought I was an illegal alien and said, "I'm on my lunch hour." I guess he was. He was carrying a pizza box. He didn't offer any assistance or offer to find another salesman.

I went to another Nissan dealer in another county and bought a '97 Nissan that day. I wrote the manager of the first dealership a letter about the lost sale.

I guess that if you are in sales it pays to be courteous.

 

[BridgeWalker]

[quote... a person's mode of dress does NOT give the right to someone to treat them any differently ...[/quote]

This ain't about rights. No one has a right to demand I treat him in a particular way, provided I am non-violent.

folks here gush over Oleg's picture showing a hawt asian chick decked out in cut off shorts, mesh hose, and pink accents and but then slam a guy for expecting equal treatment ...

There's a difference between encouraging and demanding.

you old folks need to learn a little respect ...

***?

that is "their" style just as a pinstripe business suit might be yours

I sometimes enjoy wearing long hippie-style skirts, Grateful Dead t-shirts, and Birkenstocks. I don't wear those to gun-oriented places. Most Deadheads are anti-gun, and I don't wish to project that I am anti-gun. I don't wear those things to class either. I want to be taken seriously in class. I wear heels to school events because they are appropriate attire there. I don't wear them to the range. It would look dumb, be a potential safety problem, and people would rightly not respect that I'm likely ot be skilled. If you don't want people to make negative judgments, don't project an image that invites them. I dunno if the OP did or not. I don't dress up much to go to a gun shop. But no, "old folks" are not required to automatically respect someone as much as they would respect another if their dress of demeanor suggests it might not be merited.

And I'm 29. If that qualifies me as old, then we're all in trouble.

 

[Sapanther]

This was the gun owners store. He has the right to perceve people in whatever manner he so chooses. That doesn't mean the patron has to like it, or could choose to take their business elsewhere if treated shabbily. In other words, the shop owner is free to form his opinions based on a patrons appearace, however they do so at their own risk (i.e. the millionare wanting to spend money, but wearing overalls and a dirty t-shirt).

Yeah ... and people wonder why most Libs are anti's ... im gonna be an ass here and put this in simple terms for ya ... most folks who dress all crazy like are libs ... most libs are anti's ... when a funny dressing person walks in your store thinking of diverting from their SOP and the person behind the counter treats them like crap, that puts one more nail in to any ability to reach out to them ...


All this talk about treating someone rudely because they are different than you .. because you have a right ... and i agree .. i screwed up when i said they dont have a right ... and then whining because the anti's hate you so much ... its highly annoying ... from what i had seen this place was different ... at least wanting to reach out to those who would usually stay far far away from a gun shop or range ... now i just see ... different stripes on the same animal

And I'm 29. If that qualifies me as old, then we're all in trouble

Please read my reply to that comment ... im not talking about age ... im talking about the senile way of thinking that everyone has to dress a certain way ... folks are different ... trying to mold them/ourselves in to limited forms is an exercise in pure laziness

 

[jlbraun]

If you slam cylinders closed on revolvers don't expect people to fall all over themselves to help you.

If you don't know how to operate a firearm, ASK!

 

[Ltlabner]

Yeah ... and people wonder why most Libs are anti's ... im gonna be an ass here and put this in simple terms for ya ... most folks who dress all crazy like are libs ... most libs are anti's ... when a funny dressing person walks in your store thinking of diverting from their SOP and the person behind the counter treats them like crap, that puts one more nail in to any ability to reach out to them ...


All this talk about treating someone rudely because they are different than you .. because you have a right ... and i agree .. i screwed up when i said they dont have a right ... and then whining because the anti's hate you so much ... its highly annoying ... from what i had seen this place was different ... at least wanting to reach out to those who would usually stay far far away from a gun shop or range ... now i just see ... different stripes on the same animal

If you re-read my post you'll note that I said people are free to form their own opinions about someone based on their apperance. I didn't say they had liscence to treat people like a jerk. There's difference.

As to the rest of your post. Well, I'll leave it alone because I really can't make heads or tails with your interupted sentance writing style.

 

[mgregg85]

If it was a S&W I'd shut it carefully too.

 

[Sapanther]

Sorry about that ... when i get pissy i tend to use ... instead of commas, periods, or ermm, just anything else ... including entire sentences i meant to type

 

[neededausername]

I have piercings and a tattoo. However I choose to work in a line of work that requires me to interact with the public. I'm a restaurant manager. All of my body modifications are easily concealable, yes I have them, but when I got them I knew some people would judge me for them. It's my right to get a tattoo, it's your right to not approve of it. It's around my ankle, if I'm going someplace where it will be accepted or I don't care what people think, I don't wear socks. When I go to work, or go to jury duty tomorrow, or anyplace I need to be taken seriously I wear socks.

 

[Sato Ord]

Most of us who frequent gun shops know that a new face is someone who will most likely waste about three quarters of an hour to an hour of the shop keepers' time asking to be shown various weapons and then fall into a black hole and never be seen again as he/she walks out the door.

If you walk in dressed like you just got through with your daily pay job, don't expect to be greeted warmly when you walk in the door your first visit. The shopkeeper should be courteous but he is expecting that you will simply play lookie-loo and leave; as is the norm.

Let's face it, guns are expensive and most people can usually find something else to do with their hard earned money than collect such high priced toys (why? I have no idea, but then I'm a gun nut like the rest of you).

If you are handling a piece remember, it belongs to the guy who just handed it to you. Treat it like it was made of fine china. If you actually buy it you can treat it any way you like.

I'm not excusing bad behavior on the part of the any obnoxious clerks at gun stores, but we need to remember that we are taking up their time, too, even if they do get paid to be there.

And anyone can say what they want, but the comment about judging by appearance is just human nature was spot on, and we all do it whether we admit it or not.

 

[Im283]

I had a reply for SA, huh, damn my senility kicked in again

 

[Soybomb]

Wow folks are being asses today ... a person's mode of dress does NOT give the right to someone to treat them any differently

Perhaps they shouldn't, but they do and if you're going to dress outside the norm you shouldn't be surprised when people treat you like you're outside the norm. You agreed to that when you put on your outfit. I recognize that if I went to a job interview with my pony tail I might not have been looked at as professional. I recognize that when I start talking about guns there is probably one person listening that starts stereotyping me as a gun owner. I recognize that if I go to walmart in a top hat and tails looking like mr. peanut I'm not going to be treated like everyone else. If you make the decision to stand out from the crowd you really can't complain that you're not being treated like the rest of the crowd. Right or wrong, like it or not, it is how the world works and part of why I encourage anyone out campaigning or lobbying for 2nd amendment causes to not wear their cammies to the capitol building.

If you are handling a piece remember, it belongs to the guy who just handed it to you. Treat it like it was made of fine china. If you actually buy it you can treat it any way you like.

I'm just quoting this to reinforce this. Last week I was at a new dealer who was nice enough to show me a very old marlin with a price tag far out of what I planned to spend and his wife's new hunting gun out of his personal collection despite it being my first time in the store. The last thing I would do is start banging around on the action.

 

[highorder]

I'm just going to toss it out there:

When you purposely present yourself as different from normal society, don't be surprised if society treats you differently.

If you want to be comfortable, dress how ever you wish. If that is outside the societal norms, then until those norms change you must decide what is more important to you, comfort in what you wear or meeting societies standards. Whether right or wrong that's how the world works in most places.

agreed. appearance accounts for a lot.

I was browsing handguns in a store here in Cincy and I struck up a conversation with an employee/off duty sheriff who was packing up his personal AR. I asked to handle it and he gladly handed it over. We were discussing it's balance when I remarked that it will change a bit with a loaded mag...

so he pops in a LOADED MAGAZINE and hands the rifle back to me. I safely handled his weapon for a moment and handed it back to him.

For what it's worth, I was wearing a suit and tie.

 

[Feud]

Right or wrong, one can expect to be treated how they present themselves (as Dave Chappel once put it, you wouldn't be surprised if people mistook you for a cop if you dressed as one, so don't be surprised if when you dress a certain way people treat you that way). People acting abnormally will likely be treated abnormally, that's the nature of the beast.

When I am wearing one of my college sweatshirts (I'm 24 so few think it's an alumni thing, but rightly assume I'm in college), I expect people to treat me as a college student. When I go into a gun shop I can expect that people may act funny given all the shootings lately. It's no big deal, my self esteem isn't based upon how a person behind a counter treats me. I'm there to do business, friend making is a distant second.

 

[Moonclip]

H.P.Flashman, I've known of two toher similar situations, one a few years ago involving a scruffy looking friend and a over $30000 truck he bought.

I've noticed some of the more successful gun shops I've been too, the owner didn't care if you were 21 or 81, white,brown or purple as long as you conducted yourself normally and had GREEN.

Yes ones apperance, demeanor, age, cleanliness, clothing can mean a lot. When I wore a tie more often, I usually got better service at stores.

I'm overweight and younger, but when I go to certain ranges or gunshops I've been mistaken for a cop. Don't know exactly why, but it damn sure wasn't when I was unshaven and riding my motorcycle.

Also I look vaguely middle eastern especially with a beard which can make for interesting situations. One gunshop owner I assumed was being discriminatory against me though, I found out from another gunshop owner that the guy was a bastard to everyone including him!

 

[siglite]

Wow folks are being asses today ... a person's mode of dress does NOT give the right to someone to treat them any differently ... folks here gush over Oleg's picture showing a hawt asian chick decked out in cut off shorts, mesh hose, and pink accents and but then slam a guy for expecting equal treatment ...

So a guy wearing an Adidas hat with a broken five pointed star over a blue bandanna knotted over his left ear, hat tilted down and to the right, with his shirt hanging out on the left, and blue shoe laces in his left shoe, and wearing the number three on the left side of their blue basketball jersey, and three blue rubber bands on his left wrist shouldn't be treated like a Crip? Because, that's damn sure what he's saying with his clothing. That he's a Crip. Should he be treated by you and I exactly the same as a guy in a pair of khakis and a golf shirt?

I would imagine such a Utopian world view might be a little dangerous.