New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-06-30


IN far more offensive form. Not long ago the
writer was walking behind two ladies who mad JUST
come out of well-known shop They were we'll
dressed refined looking women. with the handbags
and hurried air OF the suburban shopper
oh dear" exclaimed Of them in dismay,
1--WE forgotten that shirtwaist! II don't get II to-
day shall have to make another journey into town
just for It,"
well I'm afraid you will" replied her companion.
for you can't go back now. It's nearly o'clock.
and you know how they'd act: they'd not show you
anything. and they'd be positively insulting about
II, too"
This incident illustrates the condition OF dread
II not OF awe. to which many women shoppers are
reduced by the ladies behind the counter for ladies
young ladies-these saleswomen insist upon being
considered however much their manners may con-
tradict their claim. The persistence with which this
much abused title IL d.nned into shoppers ears is
often ludicrous in the extreme as, FOR instance,
when such n self-styled young lady at the same
time turns her back customer as a real lady
would never do and let's her walt while she DIS
cusses with the other young ladies the cut OF new
gown or Toms attentions TO Jennie at the dance
last night
Another common dsproof OF such a salcswoman's
claim to this title the reception she accords to the
appeal so familiar in crowded shops: "Wi you
wait on me next please" lady answers when
she is addressed, at least glances an acknowl-
edgment to the person addressing her Not so the
saeslady; she might be statue or a deaf mute
for all the sign she gives Of having heard Some
times the walker himself when appealed TO by
weary or impatient shopper is met with the same
churlish stolidlty.
THE FLOoR-wALKER's UNHAPPY LOT.
Indeed. the noor-waker who is set over women
has not a happy lot They defy his authority or.
in submitting to 1t. do so in a way man would
not dare. Occasionally they co1uet with him. but
AZ a general rule they neither 10 like nor -
fear him.
few days ago the writer stood at the same
counter with a gentle-looking elderly woman. who
had brought back article she wished to change.
The saleslady whom she addressed herself inter
rupted her explanations CURLY with See the haw-
ker."
The rawker?" said the customer. in a puzzled
tone.
Yes: that's him over there" jerked out the sales
lady pointing with her thumb at the hoor-waIKer'
who standing near
In fact these police OF the trade seem % be re-
garded at least BY the women under them, very
much as are the marines by the sailors on n man
of-wsr; the difference In adding apparently 70
the difficulty OF maintaining discipline on the one
side and to the presumption with which the a.
,empts to do so are deAei the other AT least In
one large shop In this city where this function Is
performed by women in every department in which
women serve only Is the service exceedingly
good but the understanding between overseers ana
overseen IS apparently much better than In those
establishments where such overseers are men.
|, is not usual. however. ind women in this
position or indeed in any other OF importance and
authority except 81 course. where they are az the
head O. Establishments OF their own. In shops
whore both men and women are employed. the
position OF women is almost invariably inferior ana
subordinate II is and not women who sell the
silks and fine dressgoods that women wear
why said gentleman prominent In the dry
tn n repOrter'S
ZION '.Why because t. sell silk or any other fine
goods something more Is required than merely To
tell the price AMI measure on the material !,
takes judgment II takes skill. IT takes knoweige
and information. and a certain feeling FOR color
that women don't seem 20 get"
II II men and not women who sell the jewels that
women more especially prize. II is men and not
women IN Short ~ho 10 the n1c. the b Thcr grade
dealing IN every branch OF trade. except millinery
and lrrssmaklag The reason for this as FOR TIE
worse manners - saicswomen az a class when
compared - -nIerm-n class. Is best given In
the words OF the gentleman quoted above;
WHY WOMEN 30 NOT EXCEL.
The trouble with women IL that they don't take
enough Interest In business TO excel IN It, They
resent being under the necessity Of taking II up.
even A. the temporary makeshift they consider II.
Tncy all want % marry. they all mean 10 marry.
Their minds arc Distracted with that idea while they
are In business, and AT the hrst opportunity -
they 10 not take tho sam" interest or 10 az well as
W. man 81 s,ioeu,n knoyg ,haf his manners
are an Important part oi his equipment for HIS
business the means ~ drawing custom 10 him.
Fyerv gooi sa..sman builds up d clientele for him
self out 81 his employers custom. II stands 10
re- son that II a man or woman IL well served and
well suited I'm a certain shop when they want any
thing In the same line sgain they are likely TO 10
back 10 the same shop and the same person. such
a clientele IL the beginning FOR an ambitious
young man OF n business OF his own. Women as
a rule lack that sort Of ambition ertlrely; they
don, exert Themselves IN a way - succeed OF
course there arc exceptions to this rule. aal where
a woman STAYS IN business I'll she's too old to mar
~ or where FOR any other reason she has got that
idea OF marriage out OF her head she IL apt to
lie down into a nrs; rate salcswomin such women
are Invaluable IN business and you will generally
ind them in positions OF trust and very well paid "
This gentleman. whose experience certainly makes
him an authority on the subject. also maintains
That the sales personnel OF establishment. as a
mass il a reflection OF It's chief and that where
The former rs not up 10 the mark It's because
.there's , screw loos. some where higher up"
This cantrol however so far at least as manners
are concerned would seem 70 be indirect, n matter