| Interesting experience
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Had an interesting experience yesterday that I thought I would share for a few chuckles.
I went to my local music store yesterday and when I say local were talking about an hour or so drive but it's the closest one to me (I need to move out of the sticks). I asked the long haired, patchouli smelling gentlemen behind the counter where I could find strings for a bass. After a good five seconds of staring at me he turned around and started walking to the other side of the store. I followed him, not knowing what else to do, and he lead me to a portion of a wall that had packages of strings hanging from the peg board. Seemingly at random he pulled a package off the wall and handed it to me.
"These are guitar strings." I said. "I need strings for an electric bass. Flatwounds, please?"
I handed the strings to him, he hung them back on the wall (in a different spot than they had came from) and he reached for another set of strings and handed them me.
"And these are to a double bass. I need flatwound strings for an electric bass. Please."
I handed the strings back to him and he stared at me another few seconds. Now, please note that to this point he has not said one word to me. Me, being me and thinking too damn much, got it in my head that maybe he was deaf. (And working in a music store...I know...) I repeated my request but this time I not only spoke it but signed it.
"I would like a set of flatwound strings for an electric bass, please."
"Huh?" was what I got as a reply.
Without saying a word I asked, in sign, if he was deaf.
"What are you doing, man?" came the clerks slow, drawling question.
Now, as comical as this exchange has been my patience has just began to dry up and as such my next statement came out a little bit more...lets say "curt" than maybe it should have.
"Oh, you do speak? Outstanding. May I PLEASE have a set of flatwound strings for an electric bass guitar?"
"Hey man, no need to be rude. I know what you're asking for." was his reply.
"Then may I please have the strings I've asked for?" was mine.
"I go to college you know."
Random, but okay, I'll bite.
"What's your major?" I asked.
"Political science, man."
Shocking.
"Good luck with that. Now, please, may I have a set of strings?"
Future California Senator turns around again and hands me a set of flats that are actually for an electric bass. I was so happy at finally just getting what I asked for that at first I didn't notice the price tag on the front of the La Bellas I'd been handed. When I did, however, I about ****.
"$80.25???"
"Yeah, man. We can string them for you too, if you want."
"Oh? Whats that going to run me?"
"Five dollars a string. Got your guitar with you, I can do it for you right now."
I handed the strings back to him. "I'm good. Sorry to waste your time but there's no way I can afford eighty dollars for a set of bass strings."
"Oh. K. Well, have a good day then. Peace."
At that I left. Now, I may not know nothing about nothing but eighty bucks seemed a little on the excessive side for a set of strings.
Sorry it was a long story, but I thought it was worth sharing. | 
