The Sartorial Sleuth - Mind Your Manners

The way your staff treats people matters, a lot.

Nashville private investigator, Thomas H. Humphreys, goes on a brief semi-rant:

Kim and I love to travel to New Orleans whenever we get a chance. The town, with its Southern charm and amazing food, is one of our favorite places to visit. I've made it a point for several years to make a swing by Aidan Gill on Magazine Street any time we're in town. I especially love their selection of bow ties.

This last trip, I thought it would be nice to feature Aidan Gill in our semi-regular Sartorial Sleuth column. I asked the older lady who was (obviously) in charge if it would be okay to take a few pictures.

"No." She replied. Sharp, haughty - that kind of haughty reserved for use by the truly insecure.

Well, my initial reaction was to smile and noodle around a little bit, feeling stupid and rejected. The older lady said, by way of explanation in her supercilious tone, "He doesn't allow pictures. There are signs." My second reaction was to simply leave. My third reaction, which is this post, is to call the place out.

I understand the desire to maintain artistic integrity, protect your design aesthetic from common thievery. However, Aiden Gill (a store resplendent in colorful ties, hip watches, and a fantastic assortment of accoutrements) is a collection of man-toys arranged in vintage cabinets. What is it about this collection (A store that's open to the public with a storefront, into which passers by can see. Not to mention an online virtual tour.) that is so precious it cannot be photographed?

That rant aside - and admittedly it is a petty issue (an emotive response to rejection) - , the real issue is one of manners. I don't mind being told no, happens all the time. I do, however, mind being told no in a rude, snotty, condescending way.

Anyway...It's likely that their doors will not be darkened by me again, which is a shame because I love the style and feel of the place. It's also likely that I'll not recommend the store to my friends or the readers of this blog. That is the only way I know to deal with ill-mannered help. It's the Deep South, at least fake good manners and grace.