LQS is a little too helpful
02-10-2012, 07:48 PM
#22
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: So Plymouth, NY
Posts: 2,502
You should experience being a male quilter walking into a store for the first time. Things get very, very quiet while they wait for your to realize that you're in the wrong store or that they don't stock velcro or denim. Why else would a male enter their store? Then one brave soul will offer to help. When you tell them you're just looking for fabrics and ideas, business will slowly resume but in a whispered fashion. One male quilter told a story about an exasperated saleslady who finally blurted out, "Didn't she send a list with you?"
The ladies at my LQS know me and I often run into another guild members. Being a male quilter does have the advantage that clerks are interested in your projects and willing to share any ideas or patiently answer any questions you might have. I don't exactly blend in when taking a class but they've finally relaxed and quit correcting themselves when starting a sentence with something like, "Okay ladies,..."
I sometimes get a humorous reaction when I happen to be leaving the store at the same time a lady is approaching. Naturally, I open the door for her. Often they will back pedal, look at the store windows to verify they're in the right place, then chuckle at themselves and enter.
The ladies at my LQS know me and I often run into another guild members. Being a male quilter does have the advantage that clerks are interested in your projects and willing to share any ideas or patiently answer any questions you might have. I don't exactly blend in when taking a class but they've finally relaxed and quit correcting themselves when starting a sentence with something like, "Okay ladies,..."
I sometimes get a humorous reaction when I happen to be leaving the store at the same time a lady is approaching. Naturally, I open the door for her. Often they will back pedal, look at the store windows to verify they're in the right place, then chuckle at themselves and enter.
I never thought about male quilters in the LQS. Must be similar to the reaction I got when my husband asked me to stop in a sporting good store to buy some bait. I was either ignored or the clerks fell all over me. Couldn't we all live without stereotypes!
02-10-2012, 09:02 PM
#24
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: in the heart of the awl
Posts: 1,015
I have been to one store that does that, and I often wonder if maybe they think I am going to steal something. I know it is nerve wracking, but the one store I was in, I know the lady was lonely and maybe that's why she followed me around. I try to say politely that I am just looking, but I like the idea of pretending to be on the phone, but I would probably call my quilting buddy and tell her to keep me talking !
02-10-2012, 09:28 PM
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Washington
Posts: 4,001
I have had that happen and it is so annoying. I don't like someone in my space that close anyway, so it does bother me.
I wouldn't go there. I think I would call her and tell her why so at least she has an option to change. She wouldn't have to know who you are. This one lady I am talking about would never take a hint. I know she losses sales because she has lost mine.
I wouldn't go there. I think I would call her and tell her why so at least she has an option to change. She wouldn't have to know who you are. This one lady I am talking about would never take a hint. I know she losses sales because she has lost mine.
02-10-2012, 10:01 PM
#26
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 141
Oh, this happened to me every time I visited a shop in Colorado. My daughter lives there and we go on shop hopping adventures. When I walked in the door the owner's husband would follow me around. I would make my daughter try to distract him. Nothing doing! He always gave me his business card! I told my husband about him and it became a big joke in our family. So, the next time I went my husband came along to see what the old fool would do. He was laughing so hard he left the store! The owner would come up to him and tell him to please leave me alone.The last trip to Longmont we checked out the shop and it had closed. I really liked their fabric and they had a lot of neat quilts. Just couldn't take the chatter.
02-10-2012, 10:21 PM
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HOME is SE Missouri
Posts: 411
wow if didn't live in Alaska i would think it was my town but we only have the 1 fabric shop the lady follows me every second asking person questions while she is picking out my fabric and thread too
She did pick out some very pretty purple fabric for my quilt block swap this month but now i am not doing a purple block so i may just send my partner a FQ I am doing a block for her that the purple just does not go with. I just mentioned purple to the lady and she started picking it out for me
I am with you I would rather do it myself this lady just does not hardly let you say no
She did pick out some very pretty purple fabric for my quilt block swap this month but now i am not doing a purple block so i may just send my partner a FQ I am doing a block for her that the purple just does not go with. I just mentioned purple to the lady and she started picking it out for me
I am with you I would rather do it myself this lady just does not hardly let you say no
Last edited by annies-best; 02-10-2012 at 10:26 PM.
02-11-2012, 01:33 AM
#30
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Spokane, Wa
Posts: 1,196
LOL! My LQS are wonderful. I know what you mean though. A few weeks ago while traveling I visited one in NC. The lady followed me around and commented on everything I looked at. She really went on about the jelly roll quilts. I picked up a jelly roll and she began explaining to me what it was. I said "yes, ma'am, I love making jelly roll quilts" or something to that effect. Didn't deter her. I was with two friends and they were vastly amused. When the woman insisted we go look at a quilt made with a jelly roll I ignored her. My friend went with her though and came back and told me you have got to see this! LOL, she was so egging the employee on at that point, while my other friend sat down and laughed!!! It was quite hilarious. Odd little shop though. Not much fabric and the jelly rolls had only 20 strips in them. The price was great though, so I took a few home. Had to tell her quite firmly at the end that I knew what to do with them. My friend who had been in the store a few times told me she had never seen that employee before. We were all laughing. Anything can be fun when you are with the VIP's in your life!
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