Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

The funny reverse of that is working retail at a cigar shop. I did it for several years, from about 22-26 and I occasionally got the reverse treatment from new customers. Generally, my lovable personality and knowledge won them over, but more than a few people questioned me when I started making suggestions and explaining various things.

Snap judgements are useful, but some people let that cloud their own judgement and overuse them.

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

I'm in the same boat. I'm turning 26 and still get carded for smokes. The positives are when you're 40, you're gonna look 25 :)

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

I always had fun when I was working for a fairly high end cigar shop and I had these ignorant old farts coming in thinking they knew their sh*t and I'm just some useless kid that knew how to work a register.....

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

See, that's just funny ... but you were able to give that service the store needs.

I also really don't think that a customer has to earn respect from the more knowledgeable as suggested earlier on in the comments. That would result in a youngster starting out never to know more about cigars because he/she is young and doesn't get the respect. The reverse of a customer questioning the retailer ... well, those are the cocky customers every merchant gets so once in a while.

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

I thought that they would send you over to me in the walker section.:D

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

I am not creepy, I am discrete.:r

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

IMO being a dick in return isn't called for and just makes you look immature. We all get carded, talked to like we know nothing and watched like a hawk in the walk in, it just comes with the territory. I think once they figure out your aren't looking for the phillies to make a blunt wrap or something to commemorate your first pube, their attitude will be entirely different. :2

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

I never had a problem with people talking down to me :sh

Some ironic situations here and there....but that's really about it.

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

Douchenozzle...best word in the English language, so many uses :tu :lr

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

What a great word, Squid! :tu

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

As someone who works at a B&M I can see where its coming from, but I'd never do that to someone. Typically after a few months you can pick out who is going to buy what based on age, gender, and even how the dress. If I see someone younger in age go into the humidor dressed in say a fitted cap and pants half way down their ass I'll be watching them like a hawk, but were I to see that same person come in in a somewhat presentable attire(ie, khakis, polo, etc.) they'll have a lot more leeway and won't have me in the humidor with them the moment the step in. That said, if I see the guy with pants halfway down his ass come straight to the counter for some cigarettes or go look at the zippos I won't be so sketched out.

On the other hand, it is fun to see the reactions of people when I(a 20 yearold) can give you a rundown of strength and flavors of any cigar in the humidor.

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

Moe is wise, Aqualung.

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

my thought is that if I owned a shop, and 99% of the clientele of a certain demographic buy X item, Im going to recommend X to that demographic. its not a slam to the few people in that group that want Y product, its simply called good business. now if you come in and let me know that you want Y product instead of X, then I hopefully would remember this the next time you come in.

now if the shop owner is just rude about it, then I have no reason to put up with that. I went into a shop in Las Cruces New Mexico and the owner was just rude to me. Everytime I asked about a certain stick he would act like I was an inconviance and not want to stop watching his little TV long enough to help me. He finally drove me out when he said that a young guy like me would be better buying some of the flavored cigars from 7-11. Needless to say i never came back there.

Found a different shop and every time I went in there and asked about a stick this guy would tell me a bit about it, he remembered sticks that I had already bought and would tell me how the one in question differed or compared to them, and would make recommendations. Some sticks that I asked about he would just tell me straight up that i probably wouldn't like them. To me, this makes for a great customer experience, and of course ended up me spending WAY to much money in there.... But i spent it happily.

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

I'm not sure there is a demographic for cigar sales. I've seen young kids buy Padrons and I've seen them buy CAO's. I've seen middle aged people by ACIDS and then some buy expensive non-flavored cigars.

I don't believe there is any correlation with age and what brand or type of cigar they like.

I tend not to make any prejudgments. Sometimes the 18-19 year old kids will really surprise you. Other times they might waste your time. Same with people of any age.

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

+1( on the other hand I have seen video on youtube of a middle-aged couple absolutely cleaning out a B&M (This one)) I guess you just can't trust anyone these days.

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

Wow, I'm 53. It must be great to be 25 and know everything :)

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

I witnessed this first hand when I started smoking. Im 22 now and things have changed drastically. Usually if you wait it out, people will warm up eventually.

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

I never said I knew everything haha

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

Let me tell you, its awesome! :r

Re: People underestimate you because of your Age?
 

I was not 22 when I started smoking cigars. But being a female it was always interesting to see the reaction when I came into the shop. I dont like low end flavored cigars, and when I started they still thought that was all women smoked. That has changed. It will change for you too.