I suspected it was going to happen, but I talked myself into believing that it wouldn’t. I decided to be optimistic and charitable. This is 2015 after all. I’m talking about shopping… with a man… at an outdoor equipment store.
A month ago I started preparing for my Camino; I had a mountain of gear to buy and money to spend. I’m a novice, admittedly, and have a lot to learn; I don’t know shit about backpacking or hiking and I certainly don’t know anything about gear. Research on the internet only gets me so far. I need to see the equipment, feel it, touch, and most importantly, talk to someone with expertise. That’s the beauty of going to an exclusive outdoor store; the sales people actually know what they are talking about. The employees are outdoor experts who get paid to share their wisdom with others… and to sell gear of course.
A month ago I started preparing for my Camino; I had a mountain of gear to buy and money to spend. I’m a novice, admittedly, and have a lot to learn; I don’t know shit about backpacking or hiking and I certainly don’t know anything about gear. Research on the internet only gets me so far. I need to see the equipment, feel it, touch, and most importantly, talk to someone with expertise. That’s the beauty of going to an exclusive outdoor store; the sales people actually know what they are talking about. The employees are outdoor experts who get paid to share their wisdom with others… and to sell gear of course.
I walk in with my friend and we saunter through the store. I’m starting at the beginning; base layers. I have a lot of questions- How do I know which type of base layer to buy? What is the difference between the cheap ones and the more expensive ones? And of the brands that are the same price, which one is better? And what does 150 versus 250 mean and when would I use which? Help! Luckily, my friend and I pause in one place long enough that one of the employees on the floor recognizes that we have absolutely no clue as to what we are doing. He asks if we need assistance. “Yes!” I ask questions, one question leading to another and to another and eventually the whole story comes out. I tell him that I am going to be hiking the Camino de Santiago in May and I’m getting all my gear together for this trip. He’s intrigued, but he keeps explaining everything to my friend. My male friend.
After fifteen minutes, I’m irritated. I’m the one going on the trip. I’m the one asking the questions. I’m the one who is about to spend a ton of money here. Why does this guy insist on not talking to me? Finally, tersely, I say, “I’m going on the trip, SOLO! HE is not going, just me.” Now I have his full attention even though I’ve mentioned this to him three times already. My friend walks away, right on cue. I’m finally left alone with the gear specialist and he has no choice but to deal with me and me alone.
This will not happen again. From this point forward, when shopping for equipment, I shop alone, or with another woman, but never, ever, with a man… After all, this is 2015…
After fifteen minutes, I’m irritated. I’m the one going on the trip. I’m the one asking the questions. I’m the one who is about to spend a ton of money here. Why does this guy insist on not talking to me? Finally, tersely, I say, “I’m going on the trip, SOLO! HE is not going, just me.” Now I have his full attention even though I’ve mentioned this to him three times already. My friend walks away, right on cue. I’m finally left alone with the gear specialist and he has no choice but to deal with me and me alone.
This will not happen again. From this point forward, when shopping for equipment, I shop alone, or with another woman, but never, ever, with a man… After all, this is 2015…
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