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I suppose that I have yet to meet a hobby shop staff that mistreated me. Keep in mind that where I was raised there were many LHS's back in the 70's and 80's.. a rule was you drop it you buy it. Therefore my father was always with me and the staffs apparently realized that there would be no problems even if I disappeared behind the Blue box and roundhouse kits. Now that I am a bit older, I enjoy the services of Hobby Stores nearby and have yet to meet a grouch. Occasionally they would be steaming about something that poped up before I walked in the door but would quickly assure me that I have no problems there. The best chance of meeting grouches is at Train meets and shows. I find it amazing how occasionally there is a dealer who is always in a bad mood and glowers at everyone at his or her table while peeking over a newspaper and coffee; daring even one to pick up a item or ask a question. I like to walk up, pick out a item and ask questions about it after a "Sunny" greeting. Eventually they get up and deal with the situation with short and shorter answers. See if I buy that item =( Now what is amazing to me is that occasionally you enter a store (any store mall or whatever) and find a disgrungled crew eyeing the clock, yaking on the phone or worse in the back while small items walk out the front. We have had repeated situations that we are going to get a specific item and wanted to ask questions and examine it... the cold shoulder usually kills the potential sale on the spot. This is more common in the North east and down into some areas of the midwest. More so in urban areas (with a few exceptions) and less so in rural areas that do not experience the problems created by a "Undisciplined" younger generation. I realize this thread will have advocates and naysayers fromm all thru the hobby. I encourage any young folks who are in the hobby store to greet the staff with eye contact and a list of wanted things in hand. Sometimes a display of willingness to do some buying of specific items over several visits may warm them up to you. One of the issues that has been unspoken is Spray Paints. Some children use these products to get "High" and it is easy to either steal the item or actually consume it on the spot. A few stores in areas with high rates of inhalent abuse probably will be even less inclined to do business with children. Try to seek out a good store and establish a relationship. It may take several visits. I realize this has turned into a "editorial" and a [soapbox] but these issues must be faced head on and dealt with so that the Hobby may be better for it. Good Luck on your next visit! Lee
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