AUTHORS WARNING: STOP! THIS MAY DEAL WITH A SUBJECT THAT YOU MAY BE SENSITIVE ABOUT. I AM NOT MAKING FUN OF ANYONE. THIS WAS A PART OF MY DAY. THIS IS WHAT I WRITE ABOUT...
This is part of what I have been discussing here lately in my diet and exercise posts. I went to a bike shop today which I will not mention the name of...
___________
Clerk: May I help you?
Me: Yes. I have a Specialized Crosstrail bike and I would like to change the saddle out for a regular cruiser saddle. I am not riding it in competition or anything like that, just for distance and I think that another seat would make it much more comfortable.
Clerk: I see.
Me: The seat that came with the bike is just so uncomfortable. I only ride it like 2 or 3 times a week and comfort is way more important than form.
Clerk: (Rolling his eyes) Well we get that all the time from people who aren't serious about riding. What you want is a fatter, uglier seat. Are you sure you want to waste the money? I see people bring bikes back in all the time who aren't serious about riding wanting to get there money back.
Me: (Yes! My hackles are already up.) Yes, like I said, I am doing this for exercise. Comfort is the main concern.
Clerk: Have you thought about a comfortable pair of padded shorts?
Me: Yes and I do not want to wear them. Fine for others, just not my thing.
Clerk: ( Laughing) Why? Do you think it will make you look gay?!?
___________
I am going to stop here for a moment and interject something I want to say outside the story line here. People choose other lifestyles. I have said it before and I will say it again, that is their choice. I don't agree with it, but I can live with it. Some of my friends are very rough on the subject. Do I joke about it? Why yes I do. BUT! I would not even pretend to judge or look down upon those who choose other lifestyles. It's your thing. I do mine.
Back to the story...
__________
Me: What's that supposed to mean?
Clerk: You know, don't want to look like a sissy?
Me: And what is that supposed to mean?
Clerk: (Red faced and figuring out he may have just $*(%*$# up!) Ummmm....
Me: Let me see you manager.
Manager: What seems to be the problem?
Me: Your clerk seems to have a problem with gay people. (I never said I was or wasn't.)
Manager: (To clerk) Please go away and I will deal with you later. Sir, how can I help and please rest assured that this is not the attitude of this store. If your money is green we take it no matter what your sexual preference.
__________
I've got to finish the story outside the script here and tell you that I have never been treated with more respect and Southern style than this manager showed me after this incident. Respectful, kind, and considerate of others feelings were the words of the day for the rest of the afternoon at that store, I am sure.
Remember, I never said I was or wasn't gay. They merely assumed, and I think that's okay.
There is a gentleman at an REI near here that I think is gay. He also seems to think that I am. He has acted that way twice when I was in with friends thinking that we were a couple. I get this from statements he has made. Always friendly. Never anything derogatory. Apparently, I can't keep a man as both times have been with different male friends. Or maybe he thinks I am just a big ho.
But he gives me the best service when I am in the store and in the end that's really all that matters. Let him think what he wants. Let him live the life that he has chosen to live as long as he's happy.
The end result today was a free seat. I insisted on paying. The manager wouldn't hear of it. The seat post doesn't fit my bike properly, but I have fixed that with a little ingenuity for now.
So what have we learned today?
1) Common courtesy is still incredibly important.
2) Don't assume. It doesn't make an ass out of me, but you, it could cost you your job.
3) The knife I sharpened last night? I did an incredible job! I nearly severed my middle finger on my left hand. (Well maybe not severed, but it could probably use a few stitches.)
4) There are few problems in this world that cannot be solved with a liberal application of duct tape.
I also finally got the lights on my bike so that when I choose to ride at night at least I'll be safe. The wife works some long hours sometimes...
DUCT TAPE!!!
___________
Clerk: May I help you?
Me: Yes. I have a Specialized Crosstrail bike and I would like to change the saddle out for a regular cruiser saddle. I am not riding it in competition or anything like that, just for distance and I think that another seat would make it much more comfortable.
Clerk: I see.
Me: The seat that came with the bike is just so uncomfortable. I only ride it like 2 or 3 times a week and comfort is way more important than form.
Clerk: (Rolling his eyes) Well we get that all the time from people who aren't serious about riding. What you want is a fatter, uglier seat. Are you sure you want to waste the money? I see people bring bikes back in all the time who aren't serious about riding wanting to get there money back.
Me: (Yes! My hackles are already up.) Yes, like I said, I am doing this for exercise. Comfort is the main concern.
Clerk: Have you thought about a comfortable pair of padded shorts?
Me: Yes and I do not want to wear them. Fine for others, just not my thing.
Clerk: ( Laughing) Why? Do you think it will make you look gay?!?
___________
I am going to stop here for a moment and interject something I want to say outside the story line here. People choose other lifestyles. I have said it before and I will say it again, that is their choice. I don't agree with it, but I can live with it. Some of my friends are very rough on the subject. Do I joke about it? Why yes I do. BUT! I would not even pretend to judge or look down upon those who choose other lifestyles. It's your thing. I do mine.
Back to the story...
__________
Me: What's that supposed to mean?
Clerk: You know, don't want to look like a sissy?
Me: And what is that supposed to mean?
Clerk: (Red faced and figuring out he may have just $*(%*$# up!) Ummmm....
Me: Let me see you manager.
Manager: What seems to be the problem?
Me: Your clerk seems to have a problem with gay people. (I never said I was or wasn't.)
Manager: (To clerk) Please go away and I will deal with you later. Sir, how can I help and please rest assured that this is not the attitude of this store. If your money is green we take it no matter what your sexual preference.
__________
I've got to finish the story outside the script here and tell you that I have never been treated with more respect and Southern style than this manager showed me after this incident. Respectful, kind, and considerate of others feelings were the words of the day for the rest of the afternoon at that store, I am sure.
Remember, I never said I was or wasn't gay. They merely assumed, and I think that's okay.
There is a gentleman at an REI near here that I think is gay. He also seems to think that I am. He has acted that way twice when I was in with friends thinking that we were a couple. I get this from statements he has made. Always friendly. Never anything derogatory. Apparently, I can't keep a man as both times have been with different male friends. Or maybe he thinks I am just a big ho.
But he gives me the best service when I am in the store and in the end that's really all that matters. Let him think what he wants. Let him live the life that he has chosen to live as long as he's happy.
The end result today was a free seat. I insisted on paying. The manager wouldn't hear of it. The seat post doesn't fit my bike properly, but I have fixed that with a little ingenuity for now.
So what have we learned today?
1) Common courtesy is still incredibly important.
2) Don't assume. It doesn't make an ass out of me, but you, it could cost you your job.
3) The knife I sharpened last night? I did an incredible job! I nearly severed my middle finger on my left hand. (Well maybe not severed, but it could probably use a few stitches.)
4) There are few problems in this world that cannot be solved with a liberal application of duct tape.
I also finally got the lights on my bike so that when I choose to ride at night at least I'll be safe. The wife works some long hours sometimes...
lol, that's a great story ya big ho. :D
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