[FalconP]

Retailers are more often clothesist than racist. I don't visit hi-end equipment stores than much, but I have been "escorted" out of a store that sold "rare" classical-music records, presumably because of the grab I wore. What the seller did not know was that I most likely had a bigger bank account than most of his clients.

Also, I suppose my shopping behavior falls into the unpopular category of "browsers" -- when I shop, I check the shelves myself. If I see something I like, I take it; if not, I just walk away without a word. Shops much prefer "talkers" than "browsers": they want you to talk so that they can sound you, learn what you like and how much you'd pay, and hopefully talk you into buying. I don't like to be read or swayed.

 

[Jaska]

Quote:

Originally Posted by plainsong /img/forum/go_quote.gif I often switch around letters when I'm typing quickly, my bad.

Eli, mitä tarkoitat?

Sorry for using Finnish here, folks, but I thought it might take some confusion out of this one...

 

[Jaska]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FalconP /img/forum/go_quote.gif What the seller did not know was that I most likely had a bigger bank account than most of his clients.

Congratulations on your wealth. Some sarcasm intended

How were you dressed at the time?

 

[dogday]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaska /img/forum/go_quote.gif Congratulations on your wealth.

I don't find your sarcasm very fitting, seeing how FalconP had a valid reason for stating his wealth - he was discriminated against because he was perceived as poor.

 

[Jaska]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogday /img/forum/go_quote.gif I don't find your sarcasm very fitting, seeing how FalconP had a valid reason for stating his wealth - he was discriminated against because he was perceived as poor.

Nothing in that other person's post mentions anything about being perceived as poor. For whatever reason, the poster thinks that the way he/she dressed wasn't acceptable in the shop in question. That could mean a host of different things. Perhaps describing the manner of dress that brought this about would have been helpful rather than making it a comparative (rich vs. poor) thing.

Imagine a store with the typical "no shirt, no shoes, no service" sign posted on the door. A guy comes in with no shirt and gets escorted out. On his way out, he cries "but I'm richer than most people!" Do you suppose the shopkeeper will decide to let him back in? Or should the guy have just worn a shirt to the store in the first place?

Anyway, in some of these posts from people reporting their experiences of different forms of discrimination, it just seems a bit out of place to add these unneeded bits about having more money than other people. This has a tendency to make things sound quite ironic, like I was discriminated against because I was perceived to be inferior to others, when in fact they are inferior (less "powerful," etc.) to me.

 

[dogday]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaska /img/forum/go_quote.gif Nothing in that other person's post mentions anything about being perceived as poor. For whatever reason, the poster thinks that the way he/she dressed wasn't acceptable in the shop in question. That could mean a host of different things. Perhaps describing the manner of dress that brought this about would have been helpful rather than making it a comparative (rich vs. poor) thing. Imagine a store with the typical "no shirt, no shoes, no service" sign posted on the door. A guy comes in with no shirt and gets escorted out. On his way out, he cries "but I'm richer than most people!" Do you suppose the shopkeeper will decide to let him back in? Or should the guy have just worn a shirt to the store in the first place? Anyway, in some of these posts from people reporting their experiences of different forms of discrimination, it just seems a bit out of place to add these unneeded bits about having more money than other people. This has a tendency to make things sound quite ironic, like I was discriminated against because I was perceived to be inferior to others, when in fact they are inferior (less "powerful," etc.) to me.

I think you are reading to much into this. I don't know about the earlier posts, but FalconP's post does not suggest that he is a better person because of his wealth. It does, however, suggest that being rich makes you a better customer - at least in the eyes of a greedy seller. And that can't really be disputed, can it?

I can understand your interpretation, and I recognise that sometimes (though not often*) discussions on such a materialistic board as this tend to become elitist in regards to wealth, but I don't think that applies to FalconP's post.

* On the contrary, I think it's quite surprising how well people with vastly differing incomes get along on Head-fi, as the pursuit of this hobby is dependent on how much you can spend. No envy, no patronizing - perhaps there's hope for mankind after all?

 

[Jaska]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogday /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think you are reading to much into this. I don't know about the earlier posts, but FalconP's post does not suggest that he is a better person because of his wealth. It does, however, suggest that being rich makes you a better customer - at least in the eyes of a greedy seller. And that can't really be disputed, can it?

Great post. I mean it.

I did actually try to word my previous comments in such a way as to not suggest that FalconP said or thought he was better than other people, but rather more "powerful" in some way (financial, etc.).

Your points, however, are all well taken on this end.

 

[KrooLism]

Quote:

Originally Posted by plainsong /img/forum/go_quote.gif I often switch around letters when I'm typing quickly, my bad. I've also received bad service here, but it was more to do with "Don't bother us about headphone crap" rather than racism, but boy does it ever exist in this country. How else would True Finns get taken seriously? I'm just giving the OP the benefit of the doubt. If he's steamed enough to post about it here, and there's anecdotal evidence to suggest the guy's a prick, then the OP was there, not us, and he can call it what seemed to him. People ask for more evidence, but it's not a court of law. He doesn't have to provide audio and video evidence of the situation. That's not generally asked for in most situations. Hasn't anyone here not in AU seen Romper Stomper? Of course we're talking about a high end audio shop not run by skinheads, but still, movies like that have an impact if there's an element of truth to it. And it seems those headfiers of Asian decent who've spent time in AU are backing that up. They might, just might, know more what it's like.

Thanks for your support but it's really not too bad at all here.

I mean, if it was, I wouldn't be posting this thread.

It would simply be everyday life.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

I can't even remember the last time something like this happened to me and I felt this way. Would have definitely have to be over 5 years ago.

So please please, don't take this post as a generalization about the Australian people and culture. Please come visit some day and you'll see.
Like the United States, and I quote from Henry Rollins here:
"49% of us are very very cool people."

 

[newguru]

Confronting ******* like that will do nothing to aid your cause. You are doing exactly what you should be doing: taking the high road and spending your hard earned money with another retailer.

Nothing good can come from confronting him. Likely, if the guy is actually a racist, he will simply call the police on you and you have a whole new bunch of trouble to deal with there.

 

[Audiofiler]

Have read this thread go up/down and good to bad..and personally most of the decent points have been made to attention already. Not seeing the huge travesty here, as one can often run into contact with varying degrees of D-heads everywhere and anytime out in public, and is not specific (snobs, non-helpful, apathetic, or intolerant people, etc)to HiFi shops.

Be thankful to be able to visit a HiFi shop in person, learn visually from the build materials, quality in components, this kind of thing. There are many benefits to learning in an adverse or hostile envirenment such as the one the OP describes. Even if the lessens are in couth and manners

 

[DocHamm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrooLism /img/forum/go_quote.gif I thought I would go in again to purchase some SACD's. He said that their Linn collection was currently "out of stock", and that "they weren't getting anymore in as SACD's we're slowly being phased out"... and that he couldn't help me. What he didn't know was... ... I was the one who phoned earlier that day and verified that he had them in stock so I wouldn't waste a trip!!

Now, if you had only recorded that phone conversation...
I would have paid money to see the look on his face as you stood at the counter after he said he was out of stock and then played the recording. It's better you forget about him, but I would definitly tell people about your experience. He obviously isn't familiar with the 20+ rule. One person tells 20, who then each tells 20, etc, etc,. Shop elsewhere and spread the word. He'll get the message eventually.