working in a lumber store is no different than mcdonalds, just different product.

This was not a big box store and not a kid.

I just see a difference in these type of stores (and HD & Lowes) in how my husband is treated compared to me.

This WAS a big box store ...
I went to the 22-year-old know-it-all passed-shop-class kid and asked where the half-round was. He walked me over to the trim and pulled out a piece of quarter-round. I told him I actually needed half-round.

He very snottily informed me, "This is what is called half-round."

I found a length of half-round, pulled it out, and asked him, "Then what is THIS called?"

Oddly enough, he had no answer. Go figure.

Arrgggggggghhh! In reality, no different that going to a plumbing supply place, or worse, an auto parts store. I usually have a pretty good idea what I need, but I've found that it's just faster to walk with my cupped hands holding the part that I need to replace."I don't know what this is, but I need two of them." Looking pitiful is more efficient, and makes Minimum Wage Guy feel chivalrous.

And Half Round Guy made me laugh. Apparently they don't teach fractions any longer. I was in fabric store recently (admittedly, not a place where you normally find men working.) When it came to ringing up my purchase, he had to consult a chart to tell him that 1/3 yd = .333 so he could punch it in his machine. I thought every fourth grader knew that 1/3 = .333.

try going into hvac supply stores.
if you are the only customer..salesmen
are all on phone.
if you are in line..every male customer
is waited on before you.
I switched supply houses, get better treatment
and better prices.

takes all kinds, but still!

Well, I don't know if I should be glad that it's not just me :)

Fascinating!

I was always slightly intimidated by the bulldykes who ran the big roofing supply company in my end of town. But behind the plaid shirts, brass-rivet jeans and exaggerated masculinity they were knowledgeable and helpful to every roofer or wannabe who wandered in, regardless of their reproductive equipment.

Ok, I shouldn't say they ALL act like that, but I do see a pattern. I have actually been in this particular building supply and was treated fairly.

DH points out that it may be because it was Saturday. He said the "outside" salespeople work the counters in the plumbing supply houses and he calls it "training day". I'll keep that in mind and try to limit my visits to weekdays.

I guess my point would be that I don't get treated that way at the grocery store, department stores, drugstores etc. It is just in areas that were previously male domains. Building supply, auto parts etc. I do visit the plumbing supply houses for him occasionally, but usually don't have problems there because I am picking stuff up on will call.

I wonder too if men have this problem in areas that used to be female dominated? If a man went to a fabric store would the women there treat him differently?

Of course I can't speak from experience. But I'm betting if a man went into a fabric store with an inkling of what he needed, he would be treated like any other customer. Of course, at my particular store, everyone is treated like an annoyance!