);

Talking Shop

I work for a softball/baseball equipment company (don’t ask me for a discount). So we get tons of guys that come in and want to talk softball and how the latest bat is hot and how they hit it so far and yada yada yada. It’s basically talking shop, men love to do that and no matter what profession it is, guys will talk.

Well today, a customer came in and started talking about bikes. He knew I liked to ride, and he brought up how he’s selling his Santa Cruz because he wants to buy a new IBIS. He then goes on to explain the parts he has, (obviously he’s trying to impress me) such as Fox Forks and his favorite a “Mavic Hydraulic Brakes.” I just kept nodding and saying “uh huh” and “really”, “that’s cool” and I throw in the occasional courtesy laugh.

When I worked at an LBS, guys would do the same thing, come in “talk shop” and how they rode a certain trail and how they almost ate it and its always topped off with a story about taking a HUGE jump. There’s nothing wrong with talking shop amongst the fellas, but here’s a tip…“BE YOUR SELF.” No need to try and impress people, if you don’t know certain things, then don’t pretend you do, cus’ it will make you look silly. In fact, if you go in not knowing too much, you may actually learn a few things here and there.