Ah I still remember it fondly. I was seventeen, I was a month away from high school graduation, I had been accepted to go to university in the fall for Computer Science.
I was just finishing up my Grade 12 Comp class, our final project was to go through all the specs on the new laptops on the market and find the one with the best specs with the cheapest price. My comp sci teacher was a genius who taught us all about good laptops and with over twenty students was able to take his pick of which new laptop he would buy that year from our assignments. Whichever he decided on in the end, the person who's assignment he picked it from got the top mark and the rest of us were graded accordingly. He got a new laptop, and we learned the valuable lesson of researching before we buy. A lesson I'm still grateful for.
I'm on a music trip with my other classmates, we're in Toronto and in the mall. There's a science/tecnology expo. Numerous displays and plenty of informed people around to answer questions.
I'm feeling pretty good. We're going to the opera tonight, I have my hair straightened and flipped out a bit, my makeup is nice, I'm wearing contacts (a rare occasion), I have my favourite dress on.
A certain display catches my eye. Laptops. Laptops everywhere. Shiny, new, whirring and humming. I think I can almost feel the buzz of running electricity and technology on my skin, in my veins. A techie at heart, I'm drawn in, and why not? I can peruse, get some updates on what's new on the market before I make my final pick on what laptop I'll buy for the start of my new program.
There's a person there, a worker with the display. He looks not too much older than me. Someone my own age who I could talk to, who could relate with me, I could build a rapport. I'm more comfortable around people my own age right now. I'm only 17 after all. I'm relaxed and excited at the same time. I'm prepared and smiling. I begin cursory introductions and talk about how I'm looking for a laptop. I don't have time to mention about my shiny, new program, my research, and what I want.
The words "I'm looking for a laptop" come out of my mouth and I instantly lose all control of the situation.
They have a newer model on the market, brand new, look at the newness, isn't it shiny? See the size. It's small and lightweight. It's under fifteen lbs, new on the market. It's not heavy at all.
It comes in pink.
Finally reattaching my brain to the rest of my body again I manage enough connection between brain and mouth to stammer "What's the bus speed?".
The reaction is hesitation, a blank stare. I repeat my question. He shakes his head and tells me the answer. I shake my head in the negative and tell him the lowest bus speed I would accept.
I ask him the RAM, tell him again the answer is unacceptable. I need 4GB. What's the chip? He haultingly answers my questions, his face scrunching up in confusion like a puppy. You're kidding right? I want dual-core. What's the laptop size? No, I want 17 inch. Yes I realize it's heavy. I'm aware of this. I want the bigger screen so I can play video games and not have to squint and on that note, what's the graphics card like?
He finally finishes answering my questions. I say thank you for your time, I was just browsing but I thought to check out the new toys on the market before making my pick for the new semester at university for Computer Science.
I watch the look of dawning comprehension. There's a hint of respect as well.
I think of the effort, and the arguing, and the sheer and utter frustration I've just been subjected to, just to finally at the end see that respect I deserved from the start.
I despair.
I've never forgotten.
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