Do I Look Stupid?

[mandysee_mandydo]

So, I had an experience on Saturday that I admit both annoyed and perplexed me. Kathy and I went to a local sporting goods shop that sells among other things bicycles and bicycle parts. We needed a new tube for the front tire on her bicycle and we preferred to shop local instead of going to WalMart. We went in and looked around, couldn't find the tubes, so we asked. It turns out they had them in a display case tucked away in a corner of the front of the store. No problem. They asked for size, I told them, and the younger man working there grabbed the tube for me. The older man working the counter (and I believe the owner) asked something like "Aren't you going to need help putting that on your bike?" I responded that it wouldn't be a problem, that tubes are easy and I've replaced plenty in my life. He chuckled and gave me this look that dripped with incredulity that almost made me want to put the tube back and go elsewhere. It got me thinking: was it because I'm fat? Because I'm a woman? Something else? Just annoyed that I wasn't willing to give them more business?

Because I'm fat?
This seemed the most obvious. Just because I'm fat doesn't mean I've always been fat or that I don't have some experience with trying to get in shape. While I've struggled with my weight to some degree since high school, most of my obesity stems from my college years (excessive eating, poor food choices, reduction of activity, onset of sleep apnea). Before college I actually walked and biked a great deal to most of my destinations around my hometown, which let me tell you is a lot easier to do in a populated city than it is to do in rural areas.

Because I'm a woman?
I would hope not. It seems like such an antiquated notion that someone would think a woman can't change her own bike tire or tube these days. That notion is just plain stupid. End of thought.

My point is not so much to overthink the situation, but to wonder out loud at what seemed to be a reaction based on an assumption of some sort. And in the process, haven't I made assumptions? Crud.

Comments

[quantumswordsmn.livejournal.com]

Just shooting in the dark, I'd say it was a combination of your weight, and cloths. The clothing I've seen you wear more recently makes you look more 'sedentary', as opposed to an 'active' person (at least in my opinion) and I'd guess he doesn't have too many sedentary looking people who don't have more questions or request personal service on things like that.

Could be totally wrong though, and maybe he was just trying to drum up some easy repair business.