me: i can't believe you guys are a sporting goods store and don't have a bike rack.
clerk: blank stare
me: do you have any sandals that aren't made by slaves?
clerk: those chacos are made in colorado
me: oh. trendy, but too lightweight for anything but driving.
shoe store:
clerk: can i help you sir?
me: i need hiking sandals.
clerk: i've never even heard of them. *turns and walks away*
second sports store (also no bike rack):
me: do you have any sandals that aren't made by slaves?
clerk: embarrassed stare at own feet.
me: you might mention that people like me would pay more for them.
redwing store: the gay, tattooed, and pierced clerk (i wonder what all the construction workers buying redwings think of him?) is extremely helpful and searches both the yellow pages and the internet until he finds me a store in the mall of all places that sells sandals by birkenstock, ecco, and doc martin. got some eccos for $100. made in portugal. quite comfy.