Scuba Christine
Registered
I live in the middle of landlocked PA. Two nearest shops are within 45 min but I drive an extra 75 min to a shop that treats me well and doesn't give me sexist macho diver attitude. Ive bought my entire startup setup from that shop, from from BCD to computer -- visited after a inital phone call with the owner. On the first visit an instructor offered to lend me her BC while I was dithering. I was sold on the shop after that and they have always treated me well.
I keep trying to like the shop closer to me, I'll buy small things there and take folks there for basic stuff but something is said each visit that makes me uncomfortable. Most of the guys who are clued in don't feel comfortable around that level of sexist bs either. Frankly it stinks, because we'd like to support a shops closer to home and see them do well but being in the shop and diving with them can be uncomfortable.
I keep trying to like the shop closer to me, I'll buy small things there and take folks there for basic stuff but something is said each visit that makes me uncomfortable. Most of the guys who are clued in don't feel comfortable around that level of sexist bs either. Frankly it stinks, because we'd like to support a shops closer to home and see them do well but being in the shop and diving with them can be uncomfortable.