It is an interesting experience to go shopping these days rather than ten years ago. For one, ten years ago the moment you walked in the store people were all over you asking, “Can I help you?” Not actually asking cause they cared to ask but for the simple fact that the manager wanted them to follow you around the store so you wouldn’t steal anything (if you are young, black and ever went to Kings Plaza Mall then you know what I’m talking about).

These days I could only be so lucky as to get someone to help me. Walking into the Old Navy today everyone passes you by. You can destroy an entire shelf looking for a size and with a total count of three employees in the vicinity not one will extend an offer of help. I get it, at Old Navy you don’t get commission. So why should any of them care to help? 

Taking a trek over to the nearest Foot Action I find myself browsing for a new sneaker. Not because I need another pair but it is always good to stay current with what is out. Would you believe I actually came across two pair that I actually wanted? The problem with this dilemma is as I am standing there with a shoe in my hand no one has stopped to ask if I needed assistants. Please note: In retail clothing stores it is always easier to do as you will and get to the register. In foot wear stores you have to wait for help because they hide all the stock in the back.

Finally, after some time waiting and being mesmerized by the music videos playing on a total of twelve monitors in the store someone finally asked if I needed assistance. Side Bar: If you ever want to see the latest videos that hit BET go into your nearest Foot Locker, Foot Action (whatever happened to The Athlete’s Foot?)

After getting my size and selection the young lady makes her way to the supply room on a quest or more like a journey for my selection. I say journey cause four music videos later is when she appeared again, empty handed. As she comes toward me I’m saying to myself, “Great, they don’t have my size. I don’t need the sneakers anyway.” This isn’t the case though. She tells me, “They have your size but I cannot reach them.” She can’t reach them? Why don’t they have ladders or at least a height requirement for sales people? I know that is a another form of discrimination but I feel like I’ve been in the store for an hour already.

Moving along… She finally came back with both pair of sneakers. But I only wanted one of them at that point. She looked so warn out from her quest for the two pairs of sneakers that I ended up getting both. Of course, she tells me she just climbed mountains to get me the sneakers. In my head I wanted to leave… but she was the only one that stopped to help me so I could only be as kind as to help her get her commission. But hells no will I not by any additional items. You know they always try to get you to by multiples. If it isn’t some laces then its some sneaker cleaner.

So would I prefer to be ignored in a store or followed? Follow me any day of the week. At least I know you are but so far away from me that I can reach out and say, ”Hey, do you have this in my size?”