Neiman Marcus!

So last wednesday I went to Neiman Marcus right after school. Although I went with my mom I didn't want to enter the store with her just in case that affected my results. So as I walked into the entrance not one worker was in sight. I became part of a group of costumers that consisted of all elderly women and a few men. Many of the workers where really on the floor interacting with shoppers but as soon as I made my way by a group of employees all I received was stares and heard one of them whisper as I walked by "Are schools already out? Or is she just buying presents?" I was a little thrown back at this side remark only because of the fact that that one person only thought that I was there for those reasons, and still being noticed by them not one came up to me. As I was about to start heading to the door a woman came up to me and asked if I was buying for my mother and if I needed help with what to get her...really? Being at this store for this long thats all I got? Ageism I think really struck me at this store because of the age grouping they tend to focus on. It was definitely surprising to realize things i have probably been facing for awhile. The outcome of this store compared to last week's definitely changed and is bringing many curious hypothesis' for my next store visit.

Step one, complete

On Friday I finally started my project at the mall. I went to a very teen oriented store, Forever 21, to see what reactions I would get from the workers. Before I went in I saw that it was pretty crowded so I kept that in consideration, but what for. As soon as I stepped in the store a worker automatically greeted me, but what was more interesting was that a younger girl and her mom walked in before me and, spotted by the worker, weren't greeted...interesting. I realized so many little things I use to categorize as normal within the behavior of worker to costumer and specifically targeted costumers. Since I got such a quick reaction I'm interested to see how the following store will compare!

So here is the plan...

I am really excited to finally start the project! This weekend I will be going to the mall and stopping at Forever 21 and that will be my first step of viewing ageism from a different perspective. I also decided to go to Neiman Marcus next week right after school when it is less crowded and mostly filled with older shoppers. Next will be the Apple Store which I plan to visit either early Friday evening or Saturday morning when the teenagers aren't primarily inside. I have saved Toys R Us for last because with the big holiday coming up I know it will be getting busier as it approaches usually with moms on a mission to check off their kids christmas list, and I think because of this it may change the reaction I will receive. I'm anxious to see what different types of attention I get in these stores and share it with you!