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When you just don't fit in....

October 14, 2017 01:33AM
OP - I had the same experience at the comic book (graphic novel) shop. I was surprised how much I didn't fit in, even as a legit parent.

I can sympathize with all who had the 'you can't afford this!' line in their 20's. My wife and I walked out of a high end furniture store, but not before telling the manager we were ignored. The manager actually said to us, "I'm going to give you another chance to buy something in our store!" We walked out mystified. 15+ years later, they went out of business. Karma. Give US another chance? Sure.

BTW, we both had Mercedes in our mid-20's and again, treated rudely by many dealerships. It's definitely different as we age....too bad. Many young people have expendable income.
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October 14, 2017 05:27AM
I've long called my personal style "goth with a job" and wear as much leather as is socially acceptable along with my long hair (on a dude). In New York where I'm based that just makes me a little eccentric or even trendy. The second I go into the suburbs I start getting weird looks.

I've eaten, as both a mystery shopper and private customer, at three Michelin star restaurants in New York without anyone taking umbrage with my style (heck, the pastry chef at one even sent me a note asking where I got my mouse-skull cufflinks, which were made by a friend). I go out to suburban Connecticut and eat at a wannabe high end Capitol grille and the manager actually asked me to put my hair up!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/14/2017 05:34AM by Misanthrope.
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October 14, 2017 10:20AM
Profiling only leads to trouble lol. This happens to me too.
I am getting to ready to retire from my first profession. Since I mostly work from home now, I tend to dress casually, but of course, neat and clean. Apparently, bankers don't expect to see many women, especially women my age, retiring as a single person. At some point during the discussion that leads up to this point, they go from a mild-mannered, filling out forms kind of demeanor, to jumping over the desk and wanting to be my best friend. It's somewhat insulting, but this is the reality we live with. They must get one heckuva commission to act that way.

Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 10/14/2017 10:24AM by BarefootBliss.
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October 15, 2017 02:03AM
I have the same predicament. I'm a 25 year-old who looks under 21. I tend to get a lot of attention wherever I go, (Yikes, that sound conceited.) I'm a white girl with long blonde hair so I've just adopted the persona of "dumb young girl with Daddy's credit card." Works pretty well, actually. You get a lot of information from "expert" employees like what dandelions look like, (landscaping shop) and how to check your tire pressure... Ugh. But it does really limit what kind of shops I can take. I tend to stand out in a hardware store which, actually, I'm in the middle of building something, so I'd enjoy it.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/15/2017 02:07AM by Soylatte.
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