Throwing Myself into SC Hell

[WoodenSunshine]

<bg> For some unknown reason, the apartment that Mr. Wooden and I are moving into does not include a stove, so we've been looking around at brands, prices, shipping/installation, and warranties to decide the best one. </bg>

Yesterday, we decided to go to a large retail store that opened up recently. I was rather impressed that their sales personnel greeted us right when we got in the store. When we told him we were looking for an electric range, he steered us in the right direction and just happened to work in that area. He starts pointing out some of the different models of glass tops, so I start heading towards the coiled ones.

We were telling him what we were looking for in a stove/oven and he turns to me and says,

"...well, since you'll be doing the cooking."

My brain to mouth filter faulted slightly and I replied back,

"Aside from that sexist remark, I'm going to go and look at those stoves."

Oooh, boy did he backpedal like there was no tomorrow. I admit that I giggled. The salesperson was actually a decent guy, I just think he brain burped and my response was far from polite.

So, throw me to SC Hell and add to my donation jar, so I can buy a new Brain to Mouth filter

[tollbaby]

Errr no, his comment was really sexist. I would have objected too.

[Kittish]

I've gotta agree with tollbaby there, the saleman's remark was entirely improper. Your response was, if you let it go when he backpedaled and apologized, in my opinion not out of line. You called him on the mistake, which needed to be done.

See, a truly sucky customer would have just totally flipped over that one improper remark and started demanding a manager, the saleman's job, ridiculously deep discounts, to be given the range of their choice completely free... etc, etc. Unless you simply neglected to finish your story here, you didn't do any of those things.

[WoodenSunshine]

The rest of the story is that he showed us the stovens/microwaves/toaster ovens we were looking for, discussed the payment options that the store has, talked about bundling and discounts and gave us some really fabulous ideas for our new place.

It's just that everything he said sounded hesitant and I felt really awkward. I'm just worried that I came off as an ass because I spoke before my brain kicked in.

That situation definitely didn't warrant a manager's help...

[Pixilated]

If you are worried that you spoke before your brain kicked in, don't feel bad ... he did too! Unless he's older than I am (e.g. pretty much in retirement age, LOL) he's got little to no excuse for a comment like that. It might have been, as you kindly suggested, a brain burp, but it was one that needed to be called to his attention, and you did so. I didn't find your comment SC at all. It was pointed, but it also sounded to me rather humorous. If he sounded 'hesitant' afterwards, he might've been worried that at some point you might still morph into a raging SC ... or he might've been worried about putting his foot in his mouth again.

[Phantasmagoria]

My friend had a similar experience with an estate agent who was showing her and her hubby an apartment. He proudly showed them the lift down to the laundry room... turned to her husband... and, without a trace of irony, humour, or self-consciousness said "so your wife won't have to carry all your laundry up the stairs!"

I fear that if she hadn't been stunned into silence things might have turned violent.

At least your salesman had the grace to apologise! Definitely inappropriate though.

[WoodenSunshine]

Slight detour, posting this reminded me of a time back in October when I was looking to buy my first car.

The manager was pulling the car I wanted around, so I could test drive it. While I was waiting I was looking at another [more expensive, hybrid, brand spanking new 2012] car. I had an interest in a hybrid, but I was not interested in the 6 cylinder engine. So, when the manager comes up with the keys for the original car I wanted to test drive, I joked that I was interested in the hybrid. His response was,

"Oh, that's WAY out of your price range."

Really? I know I'm young, but the car wasn't so ridiculously different in price. That time I didn't say a word to him.

[PawnPrincess Ardra]

reminds me when my mom was looking for an SUV type vehicle, years ago now. She wanted a standard 4WD, preferably gray. the salesman listened to my mom, looked at my dad and was speaking to him when he said... and I quote... "well right over here we have a red station wagon for the little lady"

My mom was LIVID! Oh, and a bonus? It was an automatic LOL
IIRC, she did in fact give him a piece of her mind. I was only maybe 10 at the time so I was most likely shooed out of earshot :-)

[WoodenSunshine]

If I didn't desperately need the car I got (which has everything that I needed) and the manager didn't get credit for my purchase (he passed me off to another salesguy), I really would have given him a piece of my mind and walked off.

Of course, I say that, but if it happens again, I'll just stew in my irritation and not actually say anything...

[telecom_goddess]

Can I request that you make another thread somewhere about the fact that your apartment doesn't have a stove? I'm curious about that end of it.

[WoodenSunshine]

With the kitchen getting completely redone, new ceiling in the kitchen, new drywall in the bathroom, softwood floors getting redone and the fact that it comes with a fridge, I don't really mind buying a new stove. Plus, we're being gifted a lot of stuff from Mr. Wooden's family so we really don't have much to buy

[Moosenogger]

Your situation reminded me of the Futurama episode where they go back to the 1950's and the salesman shows Lela a stove with a built in foot bath "since [she'll] be standing in front of the oven all day."

From what you've described, I can't tell if the salesman was ashamed of what he said or simply afraid he'd lose a sale because he let a sexist remark slip.

[WoodenSunshine]

If that foot bath also has a vibrating massage, I'll take it!

[thatcrazyredhead]

I don't think you were sucky at all. You didn't swear, use abusive language, make threats or impossible demands. You simply pointed out his rudeness. You even pointed it out to him, and not to his manager. Don't feel bad, feel proud!

[ArcticChicken]

If you were taking the lead in talking about the stove, I would have made the same assumption, otherwise there's really no excuse for that kind of remark.