I'm going to be taking some welding classes this summer and I wanted to get ahead of things and buy some supplies I know I'll need. I know very little about welding, but I do know I will need protective gloves and things to protect my clothing, face, etc. I had pulled up a lot of things on Amazon and elsewhere that I was about to buy, but dug into the reviews and felt I should probably buy these things in person where I could handle them and make a better determination. I looked up "welding supply" and found this location & I raced there after work so I'd have some time to look around before they closed.
I got there at 4:35. They close at 5. The store is not very large in the front (it may be huge in the back for all I know - but their storefront is modest) and they had about 10 full-grown men standing there that worked there, all shooting the breeze, no one actually "working" or doing anything work-related.
No one greeted me when I entered. They all glared at me as though I was an unwanted element. Not too welcoming. I didn't catch on at first - I thought maybe I was interrupting some coworker bonding or something, so I just kept my head down while looking at welding gloves. A few times I turned toward these men to ask a general question, and as I did, they averted their gaze/glare at me and went back to talking amongst themselves. Still, I didn't "assume" anything, because maybe they're just shy and will be chatterboxes when I check out? It was also hard to comparison shop since nothing had a price tag.
Then 2 guys walk in and these employees were tripping over themselves to help these men. "Can I help you? Sir, do you need any help?" Over and over. And I'm standing there looking at them like, "seriously? I've been here for 15 minutes and you act like I've got leprosy," but I kept my thoughts to myself as I looked at face shields. As I walked around a corner to see what might be there, I was looking at head caps for under the hoods, a young man with Harry Potter glasses comes up to me and says in an annoyed tone, "is there something I can help you with?" Definitely not the same friendly, inviting tone used w/ the men who had come in moments earlier.
I told him, "I don't know what I don't know. I've signed up for a couple of welding classes this summer and I'm looking for some hand and face protection," and as I continued, he looked extremely annoyed that I was still talking. Then he says, "I don't want to sound rude, but these guys have been working all day long and we need to wrap this up." These fat slobs never offered to help me as I wandered cluelessly around their store. They were helping NO ONE. The store did not close for the day for several more minutes. I was keeping no one there by just "shopping." I went there with the purpose of finding specific gear, buying it, and leaving.
I've been a legal adult for over 35 years - and in that time, I've never been treated like I was beyond contempt before at a place where I wanted to conduct commerce. It took me about 20 minutes to figure out the problem - I was in a man's territory, and while my money is just as green, these guys did not want women-folk in their establishment - they made that quite clear.
About 30 years ago, I took some automotive classes. I was the only girl in the classes, and not one person treated me in the fashion like I was treated at Metroplex Welding Supply yesterday.
I understand that there are places where men want to hang out with other men, just like women sometimes need a ladies' night out. But this is a store. If there was a sign on the front door that said, "men only," I would have moved on - but it didn't say that anywhere. I'm not trying to displace men in their roles, take anyone's job, or destroy Western society. I want to learn a new skill and be able to help my husband around our property and also make some things with my soon-to-be newly acquired skills. But I was greeted with contempt, impatience, and just a revolting side of humanity. I did not go into this place with a chip on my shoulder. I love alpha men and what they do for our culture and society. These beta males were not that. They were just pathetic. Not one of them stood up to be a man and assist me. They just wanted me gone.
I put all the stuff I had in my hands, which I was prepared to purchase, back on their respective shelves and pegs and left. I did get to examine a number of items and took note of which brands I like, so I will now be able to order what I want online instead of giving my hard-earned money to ungrateful knuckle-draggers that are too busy clucking to each other like a group of hens than to help a customer that was ready to make this establishment a regular part of future buy of supplies. I will be buying at least one welding machine for my own personal use. When I get into a hobby, I go all in. But I won't be spending a penny here or darkening the door of this men's-only clubhouse ever again. read more