That was, until yesterday.
Yesterday, I took a walk on the wild side. Yesterday I was a rebel. Yesterday I challenged authority. Yesterday, I went to a pawn shop.
Little background. Recently, I got a new cell phone. Nice RAZR. Unfortunately, Mrs. WHW's phone started failing her soon after this. Being the gentleman, I offered to trade with her. Since she uses hers much more than I use mine, it made sense. I figured I could handle it until her contract came up for renewal next May. I was wrong.
Being a gadget geek, I couldn't take it. So, I started plowing through EBay looking for a good used phone that I could put my SIM card in. Yesterday, at work, J-Girl suggested I check out a local pawn shop.
Many thoughts ran through my head (most of which I shared with her):
- Aren't there ex-cons at pawn shops?
- Aren't pawn shops dark buildings with tiny windows that have bars in them?
- Isn't the stuff in a pawn shop "hot"?
- Won't there be brawls outside of the pawn shop?
- Won't I, in all my geekiness, stand out and attract attention?
She seemed to buy into the last question.
Anyway, after stopping by a Starbucks, Kirby, J-Girl, and I went to the pawn shop. And, no, I did not take a Frap into the shop with me.
As I entered I tensed up. The building was much larger than I expected. Much better lighting. I was very much aware of everyone around me. Waiting for someone to start a knife fight....which never happened.
as I walked around, I started feeling much more comfortable there. However, I never completely let my guard down. While they didn't have any phones, they did have some neat stuff. This lead to probably one of only two slips I had there.
As I looked around at the TV's I said, "There is some neat stuff here!". That triggered a few of the "regulars" to look at me. Guess you need to keep a low profile in a pawn shop.
My second mistake was laughing too much at a John Schneider album (yes, real vinyl). Again, a couple of the guys working there gave me the look.
All and all, the trip was educational. I learned how tough I can be. Yea, I hang at pawn shops....when I want to. Anyone got a problem with it?
Pretty tough, ain't I? Maybe next time I will go in without the pen in my breast pocket. Maybe then they will embrace me as one of them.
3 comments:
I felt that way about pawn shops too, until my son asked me to check one out with him (he was interested in something in the window). When I told him no, he said, "Why not? Grandpa takes me all the time!"
*sigh*
Although modern day pawn shops are much nicer than they were years ago, you still have to watch your P's and Q's. Words like 'Neat' and 'Groovy' will still get you stares. But way to go tough guy!!
FYI, www.tracfone.com. Just a suggestion. I love mine!
lol.... one of my coworkers has an old dear uncle that owns a pawn shop. She LOVES to go looking there and it just seems strange to me. And, there are definitely "regulars" in those places....
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