Sorry, for your trouble Chris. I am not a male. However, I am a young quilter, 27. And I often feel the same way. I don't really feel welcomed by most of my guild (only a couple people) and some shops the workers just look at me as a pesky little kid (I look younger than 27). The shop closest to my house I think is the best. They actively try and recruit young people and men. Everytime a young person comes in or a man they want to help as much as possible. They never assume the men are there because the wife is the quilter, unless the man sits on the couch and has that glazed over look-haha. I was there the other day and a man came in with his wife, his wife sat on the couch and the husband started looking around. The owner asked if he needed help and he was surprised-he said he brought his wife as back-up because he's never offered help.