Holstein Bilter
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2007
- Messages
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Hello SFmembers,
Apologies if this is a rehashed thread. Just wanted to start a new one.
Do you see a significant change in how you are treated with what you wear?
I have some very clear distinctions w/not only what I wore, but who I was.
1)Hugo Boss Store(Glendale, CA)
I went in there, wearing a t-shirt and jeans and just went to look at their line of suits out of curiousity(because I also own one).
The salesguy walks to me and says "Umm..can I help you?"
me - "Yes I would like to look at this pinstriped suits"
sg - "WELL..normally people w/familiar w/our suits know their jacket size"
me - "yes...42 regular"
He reluctantly puts it on, and says "Oh well..what do you know.exact fit."
I did come in the next day IN my hugo boss suit and dropped my business card to the guy's manager and bought some socks =)
That guy was a JERK for profiling me and treating me as such.
2) Alden Store (Union Square, San Francisco)
I was "window" shopping outside, and the sales guy inside gave me "DO NOT COME IN" look. I was dressed in a suit too! (but I didn't fit the complexion he preferred..I'm of mixed descent). This is not 1967. This is 2007.
I proceed to walk in anyway, and I ask the salesperson "I'd like to look at some size 11 cordovan loafers."
SG -"I'm sorry sir, we don't have those in your particular size" (as I notice size 11's all around the showroom...)
Me - "Oh..IC"
SG - "Perhaps, you'd be more comfortable at Nordstrom?'
Me - "I'm comfortable everywhere..thank you"
Elitest and racially profiled snub. Never went back again. No use in complaining.
His boss was like him.
3)Nordstrom(SF Center Westfield Shopping Center)
Went to buy some cologne. 2 of my buddies came w/me.
We all went separately. We didn't intend do this, but after the first part,
we decided to prove a point.
My friends are white, black, and mixed asian(me)(all dressed in suits),
My black friend went to inquire about the cologne. The blonde sales lady in her mid-40s proceeds to tell him there was no special promotion today and that you could only get the bottle. He was taken aback by her abrasiveness.
So my blonde friend went in after him..and he asked for the same thing.
She was ALL smiles and offered him the cologne, plus a 10% discount w/a card and a gift pack w/shower gel. He declined.
I walked in..she offered me the cologne and I only after I INQUIRED about
the gift pack, did she reluctantly give it. I also declined.
Afterwards all 3 of us came into the store together and waved at her.
Never saw a woman turn more beet red.
Overall, in other places, I've been treated better according to my dress.
When I'm in a suit, I've been taken more seriously etc.
But 2 of the three cases above, my ethnicity mattered much more than my style of dress.
Would love to hear your other stories.
Apologies if this is a rehashed thread. Just wanted to start a new one.
Do you see a significant change in how you are treated with what you wear?
I have some very clear distinctions w/not only what I wore, but who I was.
1)Hugo Boss Store(Glendale, CA)
I went in there, wearing a t-shirt and jeans and just went to look at their line of suits out of curiousity(because I also own one).
The salesguy walks to me and says "Umm..can I help you?"
me - "Yes I would like to look at this pinstriped suits"
sg - "WELL..normally people w/familiar w/our suits know their jacket size"
me - "yes...42 regular"
He reluctantly puts it on, and says "Oh well..what do you know.exact fit."
I did come in the next day IN my hugo boss suit and dropped my business card to the guy's manager and bought some socks =)
That guy was a JERK for profiling me and treating me as such.
2) Alden Store (Union Square, San Francisco)
I was "window" shopping outside, and the sales guy inside gave me "DO NOT COME IN" look. I was dressed in a suit too! (but I didn't fit the complexion he preferred..I'm of mixed descent). This is not 1967. This is 2007.
I proceed to walk in anyway, and I ask the salesperson "I'd like to look at some size 11 cordovan loafers."
SG -"I'm sorry sir, we don't have those in your particular size" (as I notice size 11's all around the showroom...)
Me - "Oh..IC"
SG - "Perhaps, you'd be more comfortable at Nordstrom?'
Me - "I'm comfortable everywhere..thank you"
Elitest and racially profiled snub. Never went back again. No use in complaining.
His boss was like him.
3)Nordstrom(SF Center Westfield Shopping Center)
Went to buy some cologne. 2 of my buddies came w/me.
We all went separately. We didn't intend do this, but after the first part,
we decided to prove a point.
My friends are white, black, and mixed asian(me)(all dressed in suits),
My black friend went to inquire about the cologne. The blonde sales lady in her mid-40s proceeds to tell him there was no special promotion today and that you could only get the bottle. He was taken aback by her abrasiveness.
So my blonde friend went in after him..and he asked for the same thing.
She was ALL smiles and offered him the cologne, plus a 10% discount w/a card and a gift pack w/shower gel. He declined.
I walked in..she offered me the cologne and I only after I INQUIRED about
the gift pack, did she reluctantly give it. I also declined.
Afterwards all 3 of us came into the store together and waved at her.
Never saw a woman turn more beet red.
Overall, in other places, I've been treated better according to my dress.
When I'm in a suit, I've been taken more seriously etc.
But 2 of the three cases above, my ethnicity mattered much more than my style of dress.
Would love to hear your other stories.