Chris,
I'm with you buddy!... you don't have to be male to get that type of attitude in a quilt shop; I find the shops in my area very stingy with the help unless you are busy paying for something.
I've gotten all of my help from, magizines, you tube, this board, and trial & error. I would LOVE to have a quilting group with a mix of men & women , I think that would be a blast!