“But I was surprised at how efficiently it went. The store had been set up differently, with tables strategically placed where purchases could be made. Rather than face a long queue at the back of the store, shoppers worked with store clerks who swiped credit cards on a mobile device and printed out a receipt,” Silverman reports. “What I thought would be serious hassle was almost pleasant.”
Silverman reports, “In fact, an African-American gentleman who had to have been in his late 70s was in line beside me, and finished his transaction. He looked at me with a big grin and said, ‘The best damn retail experience in America!'”
Full article here.
@HughB, I sensed a hint of agism in your statement. You went out of your way to mention his age. /sarcasm
Another point of view:
A person that’s seen more then their fair share of BS in their lifetime states that THIS is right.
Geez, political correctness is running amok. Life’s too short to run around looking for things to be offended by.
LIghten up.
I am reading this on an iPad. The link to the article opens in a window rather than launching safari – is this a relic from pre-multitasking? At any rate it is hard to navigate and I resorted to my Mac to email a link to the article… Am I missing something?
A 70yr old African American was born in the 40’s, in an era when, in many parts of the country, he was obliged to ride in the back of a bus and likely to enjoy a secod rate education, and a significantly lower standard of living than his white counterparts. Perhaps the author was surprised, even delighted, to find an elderly African American both in an Apple store, and loving it. Or perhaps he was just adding detail to his story… Would anyone have commented if he had described an aged woman with a thick Jewish accent? Or a young Mexican migrant?
restaurants in Europe have long had the ability to bring the kiosk to the customer… the thing is, the only need for the line is for cash transactions… otherwise, a gentleman in his 70s hanging at an Apple Store… NO WAY he would be in a Microsoft Store.
Apple is The Greatest American Company Ever!
…”A 70yr old African American was born in the 40’s”
Actually, if he was born in the 40s, he still wouldn’t be 70 yet. Not important, though, as the point is still valid.
The author of the text has explained what made him specifically describe the guy as a black old man. Here’s his response (quoted from his blog):
I used his ethnicity for two reasons: To paint a word picture of the scene, and to emphasize that he was not the stereotypical Apple Store customer – i.e., a hipster who’s more concerned about cool than price. I probably could have told the tale without it, but it framed the scene with more detail to have it.
I’m reading this on my white MacBook
Kill all da whitey.
You know, stating the gentleman’s race only reemphasized the fact that there wasn’t any stereotype at all in the treatment that he received. Everyone should be treated as an equal unless they otherwise choose not to be. Stating that the article was racist or that race shouldn’t have been brought into it is as stupid as saying what I did in my previous post. It only helped describe the scene with more detail. I wasn’t offended, why are you? I think some people are just looking for an argument.
He could have just said he was an old guy with a big dick, he didn’t have to mention race.
Just waiting to pounce on someone whose political correctness sensitivities do not match mine.
Watch out . . . here it comes . . . . . . .. GOTCHA!
Now bend over and flail yourself with a cat-o-nine-tails, you racist bastages! (said with dripping sarcasm)
@ Rob:
“I went to KFC today and bought all white meat lunch. Does that make me racist?”
Short answer: yes. You didn’t know?
Peace.
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Olmecmystic
“He could have just said he was an old guy with a big dick, he didn’t have to mention race.”
Just saying he had “a big dick” would automatically imply that he was black. What the hell is wrong with you?
Don’t you see? The South just can’t get past the race thing. I think they need another smack-down, if you ask me. The one from 1862-65 didn’t take.
I always get great service at the Apple store, even though I am easily twice as old as the Apple store employee serving me and usually not the same race either.
I must say though that Apple is the world’s technological Jennifer Aniston darling of sorts right now. They can do no wrong.
I’ve been looking for an opportunity to tell this story. My folks are in mid 80’s, Dad a long time PC user, Mom – computer phobic. Bought her a PC laptop with hopes she’d at least learn how to email with Dad there for support. Never touched it 🙁
One day while on phone with Mom, she says, “guess where I’m going tomorrow? To the Apple store for my first Apple lesson!”
But wait there’s more…
Turns out my Dad decided out of the value to get an iMac! And brought Mom along to pick it up. Initially she was terrified with all the activity in the store and found a place to stand away from everyone.
But a helpful blue T-shirted Apple rep approached her. She burst out with, “I know nothing about computers, they scrare me, I’m just here with my husband picing up his new computer.
The rep was either trained or just a genius in dealing with older comp-phobes and switched modes instantly and asked, “do you have a lot of family photos?”
She said, “yes and they’re all in boxes and one day hopefully I’ll get to organizing them,”
The rep said, “want to see something really cool.” To which now warming homage said “yes” and he escorted her to an iMac and demo’d iPhoto for her. It was instant love at first site. Fear be gone!
Mom signed up for the $99 one-on-one lessons and got a MacBook Pro!
I was/am blown away with how intuitive and effective the rep was in overcoming my 84 yr old mother’s fear and ushering her into getting a Mac along with lessons.
I fully agree with the gentleman’s comment that Apple is the best damn retail experience in America.
And with all the PC users that have purchased an iPod, iPhone or iPad, they now get tomexperience either an Apple Store and/or AppleCare customer service or the Genius Bar or Discussions Forum on the Apple Website all of which are top notch in knowledge and customer care… So when it comes time to buy their next computer they just might want the same level of care they have been exposed to for their iDevice(s).
This how Apple is increasing market share: making delightful to use hardware and software and providing excellent support at a ridiculously low price and even for free at the Genius Bar.
Plus… No viruses!
Silverman reports, “In fact, an African-American gentleman who had to have been in his late 70s was in line beside me, and finished his transaction. He looked at me with a big grin and said, ‘The best damn retail experience in America!'”
Was it Samuel L Jackson?