I may be a woman shopper but I'm not stupid !!

[Teresa]

The background to this story is connected with my laptop and printer . I wanted to print some of my latest pictures out to continue an art project . I'm using the Windows10 basic photo editing package , I'm not happy with it because you can make very few corrections for colour balance and image sizing , I wasted some photo paper and ink without getting the results I wanted so I headed off to PC World to check out some photo editing packages . The male SA saw me and suggested my printer really needs to be replaced even though it's just over a year old , he tried to find my details on his computer system to see if I'd signed up for a replacement deal . I kept trying to tell him I needed a better editing package so I could set up my laptop and printer better but he wasn't having any of it , I was definitely being treated like a woman shopper and even worse a supid one at that !!

I have a full version of Photoshop on CD but I dont think it will work in Windows10 besides I did make a mistake when I bought my Lenovo Ideapad because it clearly showed a disc drive but as I found out the illustration was for the US market , the UK version didn't have the drive fitted .

Please I don't want replies telling me how to edit my pictures , I've been doing it for years .

This thread is more about treating women as non-technical imbeciles , I guess I should be flattered as he obviously thought I was a woman !!

So in the end I did what any woman would do under these circumstances , I popped next door and bought some really nice brown ankle boots and a couple of lightweight turtle neck sweaters , at least I'm, ready for the cooler weather !

[Robertacd]

I wold try to run Photoshop on Windows 10, even if that means buying a cheap USB CD-ROM. I don't understand why it wouldn't work.

For quick photo edits I just use IrfanView https://www.irfanview.com/, but I an not doing anything special, just cropping or resizing maybe a little color enhancement

[Teresa]

Roberta,
It's a very old version something like 2001 era , I know the drives aren't expensive , I should bite the bullet and buy one as I have other programs and files stored on CD. It is frustrating knowing I could have bought my laptop with the drive included and actually paid less for it . It was a replacement item for an Acer laptop which crashed after three weeks from new , I should have asked for my money back but chose the replacement option . I was in a desparate hurry as I had just separated from my wife and needed to get my online banking and many other problems sorted , as we all know life comes to a standstill without online facillities .

[bridget thronton]

Your 2001 Photoshop should work on Win10 - sorry about the condescending SA. I use a female character in SL and I used to get treated like I just did not understand how computers work all the time (I am a software engineer in RL). A USB DVD drive would cost $40 USD in the colonies.

[Teresa]

Bridget,
As I say at least he treated me like a woman so it can't be all bad !

The nice SA in PC World showed me drives for about ?20.00 and naturally offered to install it for the dizzy blond for another ?35.00 . The dizzy blond was beginning to think of a less than lady-like reply !!

Sorry there's a problem with formatting , they should be pound signs and not question marks , I believe there is a software problem on the forum .

[Jean 103]

I find that I know more than most SAs. It really doesn't matter what the store or product is.

I offen will let them help me for the fun of it if I have the time. I have even given them like a lesson on whatever they are selling. The one that sticks out is this young girl wanting to help me pick out lipstick. She didn't know anything other than the one she used. She was very sweet so I took the time to explain all the differences between the different products.

[Teresa]

Jean,
As far as makeup is concerned I usually keep all my packaging so when I need a replacement I take it with me , otherwise I do get the same treatment on occassions with the SAs . I can honestly say I've only had one who gave me a difficult time but I just accept she was having a bad day and possibly brought her domestic life to work .

[Micki_Finn]

Welcome to the wonderful world of micro-aggressions. Try being a female shopper of color!

[JenniferMBlack]

Devils advocate here. Maybe he was giving you his best knowledge. Or he gets a nice commission on that new printer, and didnt care if yours was fine.

[Shelly Preston]

Teresa.

I have use the experience the other way to get my items carried out to the car for me.

Sometimes playing stupid can be useful. You learn how bright your sales assistant is.

[CayleeMarie]

Well Teresa, I?m with you... when there is nothing else to do, what?s a girl to do but go shopping!

[autogirl]

Should have told him his clothes are sooo last season

[char GG]

Hi Teresa,

Don't be surprised. Most women are used to being treated like they don't know technical things. Since you are presenting as a woman in the RW, you will have to learn to let these things go.

[Jean 103]

Teresa the lipstick thing was years ago, before I was out. I had forgot it and was to far from home to go back.

I'm always treated well , really never have any problems. I think it is nice how everyone is always trying to help me.

I think your problem is that software is all sold on line. Even if you were to buy it in a store you would have to go on line and down load it.

They stopped including cd drive's in laptops years ago. You can buy an external one, they aren't expensive.

[Tracii G]

It was funny when I went shopping for my Jeep the sales guy found out I had done my home work.
I knew the specs and what I wanted.
We went out on the lot to look and he held the door for me which was nice.

[Teresa]

Shelly,
I can't argue with that , a young guy in the same store insisted he carried the printer to the car when I bought it .

Jennifer ,
The point I was making was he chose not to listen to my point about needing software to correct the problem , I really felt he was trying to pull the wool over my eyes but trying to convince me the fault was with the printer .

Jean ,
I can't say for certain , they had several products in fairly big packaging which I assumed still contained a disc and a manual . Only PS Elements appeared to be a download .

Autogirl ,
They wear a corporate uniform .

Char,
It's the first time it's happened , as I say perhaps I should be flattered with what he thought I was .

[Pumped]

Pretty much what I was thinking, he wanted to sell equipment, perhaps not much commission on software.

Years ago I went into a popular electronics chain to buy a computer. A salesman walked up and asked if he could help me. I started pointing out computer stuff, monitors, keyboards and the like that I wanted and he started to try sell me some prepackaged system. I just looked at him and said, "I know what I want, you just won't let me in warehouse to pick it out. It will go a lot faster if you just pull the items I am asking for and drop it in my cart!" I was out of there pretty quick!

[Palaina Nocturnus]

Hello Teresa,

I replied in a similar manner about dating men but it fits here as well.

I've noticed some men are respectful and others very much not so. It really seems like those manly men bro dudes think well if you want to look like a woman I'll treat you like one. And that is a WHOLE other disgusting conversation. Some people's children...... smh lol

I can't tell you how many mechanics look me right in the eye when discussing the vehicle and I'll wait until they're almost finished and look right at my girlfriend and say I'm glad you're here my love because I don't understand all of this but you sure do.

Or getting the check for food when my money is direct deposit to her account so we use only one card but they ALWAYS hand me the check. Even en femme I get the check lol and don't get me started on male sales associates lol

This world is a very funny and contradicting place lol

[JenniferMBlack]

Teresa
That's why I said might be he didmt care, and he might get a commission for selling the printer. If he could convince e you that you needed it at least it shows he sold it. Sure software can fix your problem but this nice shiney new printer is much more expensive and you need it. Looks better when the manager pulls my sales numbers.

[tbryant2k16]

If you went in full guy mode, the SA would not of even questioned you more than likely. But you hear about similar experiences from many women, especially in areas that are more male dominated.

And depending on the photo software, it could cost more than printers. I see Adobe Photoshop is now priced on an annual basis, no more just buy the program on a DVD and that's it. Though I hear the free photo processing program GIMP is really good, it's Photoshop-like.

[Tracii G]

GIMP is ridiculously complex IMO
I watched a tutorial several weeks ago on you tube and was completely lost in the first two minutes.
I'm not stupid by any means and can figure out things pretty easily but holy cats GIMP is way more complex than PS.
Who cares if its free because if you can't use it why have it?

[Amelie]

Sounds like a good validation of being a woman. I don't know if validation is the word but you know what I mean.

Now go to the next stage of being a woman and get the product for free by just batting an eye lid. That's what I would have done, I would have played dumb till I got the product for free.

[tbryant2k16]

GIMP is ridiculously complex IMO
I watched a tutorial several weeks ago on you tube and was completely lost in the first two minutes.
I'm not stupid by any means and can figure out things pretty easily but holy cats GIMP is way more complex than PS.
Who cares if its free because if you can't use it why have it?

Keep hearing it being used by astrophotographers that want a cheaper alternative to Photoshop. I have never used it, so I really can't comment on it's user friendliness. My astrophotos have stayed as they were from the camera.

[lingerieLiz]

If your copy of Photoshop is cs6 you are probably able to run it on Windows 10. You can download a 30 day trial of Photoshop. Adobe offers student discounts. So check them out. If you are only doing moderate photo work you may want to look at Photoshop elements.

- - - Updated - - -


Devils advocate here. Maybe he was giving you his best knowledge. Or he gets a nice commission on that new printer, and didnt care if yours was fine.

A lot of printers have spiffs on them. In todays market printers are a give away because the ink is where the money is.

- - - Updated - - -

I find it in reverse when buying lingerie. I've had to explain sister sizes to SAs. I'm standing there with a bra on and yet they assume I'm unaware of what bra sizes are.

[Jodie_Lynn]

So in the end I did what any woman would do under these circumstances , I popped next door and bought some really nice brown ankle boots and a couple of lightweight turtle neck sweaters , at least I'm, ready for the cooler weather !

I would have gone with this option first, and played the 'poor helpless technologically impaired female' to one of my tech savvy masculine friends and allow him to be the hero of my day.

Knowing my guy friends, they would buy the upgrade package, install it, and buy me dinner. Y'all gotta learn to play your strengths girls!

Yes Teresa, I know you could do it yourself, but there is a certain charm, appeal and definite benefits to letting our men friends beat their chests and be the hero of the hour.

As a GG friend pointed out to me: "Yes, I can change my oil, or change a tire on my car, but, why should I, when there are guys out there willing to be my "White Knight" and do it for me?

It may be slightly mercenary, but... if it works, use it.

[lingerieLiz]

GIMP is ridiculously complex IMO
I watched a tutorial several weeks ago on you tube and was completely lost in the first two minutes.
I'm not stupid by any means and can figure out things pretty easily but holy cats GIMP is way more complex than PS.
Who cares if its free because if you can't use it why have it?

GIMP has been around a long time. I agree that it lacks in the user friendly spectrum. It was mostly used by computer savvy (software engineers) to do certain things. You can download the source code and program mods to do special things. I used it to convert images to the correct formats for a project.

[DanielleDubois]

I switched to GIMP 2.0 a few months ago because my new iMac wouldn't run the old version of Photoshop I had.
Yes, it took me a bit of experimenting to figure out some features but basically I found out GIMP had all the tools I was used to using in Photoshop.
But , full disclosure, I taught advanced Photoshop to high school students for many years so I guess I could be considered not to be just a casual user.

[Palaina Nocturnus]

I love how all the tech advice came out of the wood works lol point missed lol

[Helena]

Palaina, that amused me too.

[Connie D50]

"So in the end I did what any woman would do under these circumstances , I popped next door and bought some really nice brown ankle boots and a couple of lightweight turtle neck sweaters , at least I'm, ready for the cooler weather ! "

Teresa Love it - the best way ever to deal with condescending Male lol.

[SaraLin]

I had to chuckle when I read this thread, remembering my "non-technical imbecile" moment.

I'd had my (current) laptop for about two years - even using a USB drive a couple times, before discovering that it had a CD/DVD drive in it already! Yes, it was well hidden on the side of the machine, but still ...


Talk about feeling foolish!

(and I used to think I was the tech-smart one in the family)

[Ressie]

I switched to GIMP 2.0 a few months ago because my new iMac wouldn't run the old version of Photoshop I had.
Yes, it took me a bit of experimenting to figure out some features but basically I found out GIMP had all the tools I was used to using in Photoshop.
But , full disclosure, I taught advanced Photoshop to high school students for many years so I guess I could be considered not to be just a casual user.

Same here. I took graphic design classes in the late '90s. iMac won't work with my photoshop disc from 1997. Gimp 2 was a huge improvement from the previous version. Doing things like red eye removal are easy once you know how to do it. (just google what you're trying to do) Preview on Mac is also great for basic photo editing.

I've considered buying an old used Mac that would work with my old photoshop version. And I've also seen older macs for sale that have photoshop installed (much newer version than I have). The upgrades to adobe products have been very expensive throughout the years so Gimp works for me.

[xam]

I think photopea an online photoshop alternative (https://www.photopea.com/) is closest match I could find that resemble photoshop.

[Robertacd]

I love how all the tech advice came out of the wood works lol point missed lol

Well some of us like helping others even if we're not asked. Specially when it comes to computers. Because the consumer computer market is ripe with scams and bad information.

This thread is a case in point. She went to the store to buy some photo editing software, but they tried to sell her a printer instead.

That's just wrong on so many levels, we can't just stand there and watch.

[Teresa]

Roberta,
Don't worry inside the dizzy blond exterior the alarm bells were ringing very early on , the guy thought he'd hooked an easy catch !

While I asked not to go too deep with the software issue I must thank everyone for their input .

SarahLin,
I must admit I thought I'd got it wrong and kept poking, pushing and breaking nails thinking a little door should open on the laptop, I found a Youtube video showing how to fit an internal drive but it's got to be easier for the same money to use an external drive .

Danielle,
I take my hat off to you if you can undertstand the depths of PS enough to actually teach it .

Just to return to the problem , I have solved most of the issues , one problem was after not using the printer for some week it needed a double deep head clean . The other is just needing a package to make colour corrections, PS is great for that but my main problem was after doing the work and saving it I could never find where PS had buried it , as for tying all the levels together never did manage to achieve it , the handbook I bought could have been written in gibberish for all the use it was !

[Aunt Kelly]

I'm sorry, young man. I am not interested in new hardware. Now why don't you go and find someone who knows something about the software you sell.

[docrobbysherry]

I know u said u didn't want to hear about your photo program, Teresa. But, I can't agree with your comment, "treated like a woman", because I've been bamboozled by many a salesman because I had no idea about the techie item I wanted to buy. Always in male mode, by the way.:sad:

I was devastated a year ago when my Windows 7 computer failed. Along with it's priceless photo editing system! I tried every system available, including a new Windows 10 computer. Nothing came close to the simple, yet exacting, features on my W7 system! Nor could I load that editor into my W10 computer!:doh:

I finally replaced the W7 operating system in my computer and could load the W7 editor into it! I'm now able to edit my photos easily and perfectly again. I hope u find YOUR perfect editor, too!:thumbsup:

[Teresa]

Sherry,
I've never had a problem with repairing computers or sorting software and certainly no problem dealing with SAs over the technical issues so I know if I was in male mode he wouldn't have tried it on , I know the patter he was dealing me and why .

Aunt Kelly ,
To give him some credit he did tell me not to waste my money on the software packages and suggested giving GIMP a try .

[Palaina Nocturnus]

Well some of us like helping others even if we're not asked. Specially when it comes to computers. Because the consumer computer market is ripe with scams and bad information.

This thread is a case in point. She went to the store to buy some photo editing software, but they tried to sell her a printer instead.

That's just wrong on so many levels, we can't just stand there and watch.

Even in the post she says shes not seeking that advice, that's why it's so funny. I'm not trying to start a fight. We're discussing how men treat women yet here we are giving her advice that was specifically declined. I'm still lol so please just laugh with or at me :)

[Teresa]

Palaina,
I have no problem with the sidetracking , I was half expecting it .

I mentioned this incident to the ladies in my painting group today, one very good friend said , " Well you are a woman what did you expect !" She then went on to tell me how a woman would twist the situation round to her advantage . I told her I decided to go and buy some ankle boots instead , she replied , " Now you're learning good for you girl !"

[Fran-K]

Hi

I don?t go out in girl mode, so haven?t experienced exactly
what you went through. But it happens occasionally anyway
(obviously in boy mode).
Depending on how I feel I?ll either let the SA ramble on, thank
him or her for their time and restate my original request OR
interrupt them in mid ramble and politely demand to see their
manager, repeating it in a loud voice if needed (and then
explaining to the manager what?s going on).

As to photo software ... dxo photolab. It does crop and straighten,
color/etc, distortion correction, perspective changes, film emulation,
and so on. It does not do photo editing. (PM me if you want more
info) (I have no $ interest in the software, I?m just a happy user)

Fran

[Robertacd]

Even in the post she says shes not seeking that advice, that's why it's so funny. I'm not trying to start a fight. We're discussing how men treat women yet here we are giving her advice that was specifically declined. I'm still lol so please just laugh with or at me :)

My mother was an expert at giving out unsolicited advice...

Maybe I'm just like my mother...

[Vickie_CDTV]

I suspect the salesman was on commission and a printer was more expensive (or got a better % on a printer than software.) Why assign to misogyny what is easily explained by self-interest?

I would have returned the laptop when the picture on the box didn't match the contents. Ridiculous that so many computers don't come with an optical drive. A guy I know bought an $8000 gaming PC (yes eight grand!), in a computer case the size of a small refrigerator, and they didn't bother to include a $20 DVD drive. Unbelievable. Many people may not use them daily, but when you need one, they sure are handy!

For what it is worth, I am a male as I have had auto repair places talk down to me and try to pull some shenanigans. An ex girlfriend of mine, however, does know about cars (she knows about everything), and straightened them out quickly.

[abby054]

My daughter tells of a chauvinist who got caught and shamed. When she was a sophomore in college, she went to the Math Tutoring Center for some help with her math homework. When she arrived there, only one other student, a freshman guy, was present. While both of them waited for their tutors to arrive, this freshman guy gave his unsolicited opinion about how poorly women do with math. My daughter said nothing in response, preferring not to argue with a fool. Within an few minutes, the guy?s tutor arrives. They take a seat at the table for pre-algebra. My daughter?s tutor arrives a minute after that. Her table is designated for third semester of calculus. She makes eye contact with the freshman and just grins at him. Red-faced, he had nothing more to say.