Couple decades back when I was unemployed about a year, I'd make a semi-weekly trek over to GC just to check out their used gear, what new items were being brought in, and what stompbox effects might make their way onto my effects board. For several afternoons a week, maybe twice or three times a week, I'd settle in and practice guitar. I quickly became a common facet at GC. A lot of my time was also spent speaking with better players and asking what they thought about the gear they were playing, and basically what interested them. Most of this was prior to guitar forum days where I was honing my social skills sets as a guitarist.
Eventually, the GC floor manager commented that some of my conversations were detracting from the sales associates' purpose, and unfortunately, it would be necessary for me to curtail my practice sessions at GC. Why at the time I didn't think to ask if they might hire me, but my feeling was the animosity that already existed between sales employees and myself had tinged my reasons for being friendly and inquisitive.
Eventually, I found various other outlets for socializing (open-mics, paid guitar study, online forums). Growing up as a late bloomer in the latter 90's was the springboard for my seeking friendships, and perhaps in order to prevent isolating myself too often there will be a time when music store bring-your-guitar trips will occur again. Except this time, the folks who once knew me then might be surprised to hear my stories from '97 forwards as my self-awareness grew. That, and armed with better social skills this time might contribute to a more enjoyable sales associate interaction instead of the clueless suppositions on my part that identified me as just a stupid old guy who should have known better.
Sweetwater came along about 2002 with my forays into computer usage and online purchases. From about 2002 to 2014 were my most prolific years of guitar practice and playing at open-mics. Since then, I've needed to rein in some of my activities because they conflicted with my disciplined study. Even then, guitar forums served as a source of interest and for socializing. It is here where I agree with modern specialists that say modern generations social interaction is mostly via mobile device and computer. Society needs to open its doors to the outside world more often so that people can interact again. If we live in too isolated a world, our health, including physical, mental, and emotional, will suffer.
We really do need to put the transgressions of others behind us, if we wish to be successful in life. If that means finding something to do when we get bored, perhaps use your hands to do good. Build something, plant a garden, learn to cook well, try something artistic, something that will connect you in the moment to the bigger picture so you find fulfillment and belonging. Find happiness in realizing why the world exists, and how we benefit when we demonstrate our thanks for putting us in the Goldilock's region of the Milky Way galaxy where conditions regulate themselves and provide relative protection from hazards.
I'm very aware of how they work since I used to buy stuff from them but I've never sat and shot the breeze about modelers with them.
