Like it, and I think it cuts both ways. There’s a coin laundry near my place that has a well placed 80s game arcade next door. I don’t care that I already have a washing machine - I want to go wash my clothes there so I can get at those oldskool boxing games. Gawd bless Japan.

Spin offs on the mechanics and manicure theme that spring immediately to mind - fast food and colonic irrigation for that all-you-can-eat/ass-douche experience, lapdancing barbershops (”work that candystripe pole, gramps”), and of course the crackpipe and web 2.0 conference combo.

By Michael Pick on Oct 4, 2007

pcakes you always wearing the same outfit ?

By shoemoney on Oct 4, 2007

You’re right Michael, it goes both ways. And generally I am not a fan of everyday things geared towards women. I don’t need news to be pretty for me to read it and I don’t need you to dumb down politics for me to get it. But, I think catering to the sex of a target market works in a lot of places.

By Pam on Oct 4, 2007

Haha no Shoe! I just have a lot of black shirts. That one was actually a gray turtleneck tho. Tell me your favorite color and I’ll wear that next time

By Pam on Oct 4, 2007

Er…the next one is a gray shirt.

By Pam on Oct 4, 2007

Pam, totally agree with you. Actually paying attention to your customers and acknowledging that they aren’t one-size fits all is something a lot of companies need to get sorted.In the UK (where I’m from, but don’t hold that against me) good customer service is when they refrain from spitting in your face. A way to go yet, but you’re totally right, if someone actually put together what you’re talking about, they’d rake in that cash.

By Michael Pick on Oct 4, 2007

I would never hold being from the UK against you. I’m a sucker for an accent.

But I did experience your fabulous customer service over there a couple of years ago. And I couldn’t get ice in my drink to save my life.

By Pam on Oct 4, 2007

Lol, indeed - the perils of a self consciously class riddled nation with inadequate ice making facilities.

It seems we are better at plundering nations, enslaving people and sneering sarcastically at anything that crosses our paths than making customers feel that they aren’t somehow snatching away the best days of our lives with their irksome requests.

Good old Blighty, I do miss it so.

By Michael Pick on Oct 4, 2007

I think this idea of having women working on cars is terrific, actually. I disagree that this needs to be solely marketed to women. I see a lot of potential here.

Oh and my favorite color is bikini.

By jvon on Oct 5, 2007

Pam, you make a great point. Too many times at the mechanic people feel completely at a disadvantage. It’s the equivalent of being at a doctor’s office…although these days we’re taught to challenge doctors, but not mechanics.

Bigtime customer service would get LOTS of business. Talk to people like adults. Sounds like that’s what your dad did. Makes sense to me. And I think women would especially like to chose a mechanic who listened.

BTW: I always wanted to get my care repaired by Click and Clack, the Tappit Brothers from NPR. They sound like cool dudes on the radio. I wonder if they’re like that in their business in Cambridge, Mass.

By Frank on Oct 5, 2007

>Tell me your favorite color and I’ll wear that next >time

send me your address ill send you a shirt to wear

By shoemoney on Oct 5, 2007

That is a great idea, you should totally do it. Although, I am sure its been done. There is a Toyota dealer here, Phoenix, that has everything you just mentioned and more. The thing about great ideas, everyone has them, very few act on them. If everyone acted on their ideas, dreams, desires, and fantasies (as long as its legal and stuff, right?), I think this world would be a much better place. But, most people are lazy and unwilling to do what it takes to be successful. I know I have had a lots of ideas for business, web sites, and my life, that I have never acted on. I think there is a plethera of ideas, but very few to carry them out. Out! :@)

By serge on Oct 6, 2007

Yah I am sure there are some places that have done what I said. But it hasn’t been done on a national scale…or at least in all major cities. I did some research before opening my mouth to make sure I hadn’t just missed that it was already being done in my back yard!

By Pam on Oct 6, 2007