Mastodawn

I was long overdue for a new bike helmet, so I went to a cycling shop today. I wish shopkeeps would listen to me. I told the guy I have an enormous head and need a big helmet. I pick up the XXL helmet, but he takes it away from me and tries to put a size medium on my head. But since I’m not Cinderella, that tiny glass slipper ain’t gonna fit unless I get trepaned.

So then he goes for a large one and puts it on me. Yes, it went on, but no, it did not fit. It was pressing into my temples uncomfortably. When I told him it was too small, he didn’t believe me. Then he tried to tell me my N95 mask was what was making it too small, but that’s ridiculous. A thin elastic strap around the back of my head is not going to make a significant difference.

And finally, he put the XXL one on me, and guess what? It fit me just right. Go figure.

This is just another example of what it’s like to shop for things when I don’t have a dick. So annoying. I’m sure he would’ve believed @Knightky if he’d said he needed an XXL helmet, and we have the same sized pumpkin heads. #cycling #BicycleHelmet #helmet #Shopping #CasualMisogyny

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Shantell Powell May 30, 2024

This reminds me of what happened the last time I went to get running shoes. I went to a running store run by runners. (Runny!)

A young man was working there that day. I told him I wanted a pair of running shoes which had a very stiff toe box because I have hypermobile toes. I told him I did not want thick cushioning because I am often on uneven ground and that reduces my stability. I also told him I needed men’s shoes because women’s sizing is too narrow.

So of course he grabs me a pair of women’s Hokas. They are everything I don’t want. The soles so thick they’re like platforms. The toe box is very soft, and the shoes are too tight.

I reiterate what I’m looking for, and he goes looking for more of what I don’t want. In the meanwhile, I start looking through the men’s shoes and find a pair that seems ideal. They have a carbon insert which makes the toe box very stiff, and they are otherwise a minimalist shoe.

I ask him why he didn’t show these to me, and he says, “oh, those are for competitive runners.”

Fucker. I regularly competed in races. Just because I don’t look like whatever he thinks a competitive runner is supposed to look like doesn’t mean he shouldn’t give me exactly what I’m looking for.

I have no plans on ever returning to that store again. #RunningShoes #running #runner #RunnersOfMastodon

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cpsask May 30, 2024

@Shanmonster I had a similar experience years ago. I was looking for running gloves. I asked a clerk where in the store they would be. He told me that they only have gloves that are suitable for people who run and walked away. As I was leaving, the owner saw me and asked if I needed help. I explained, he apologized, helped me find the right gloves and gave me a discount. I also know he spoke to the employee.

I gave then another chance since the owner did everything he could to make it right.

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