More Mall

The same evening at the mall that I stumbled through the dark of a Hollister store, I visited a Hot Topic store. The Hot Topic has been in that mall for years, and I’ve browsed through it many times. In fact, I’ve bought a couple things there — they have some great t-shirts.

Some of the clothes and gear in Hot Topic is very goth, yet the store is bright and open. It’s a stark contrast to the dark Hollister store selling beach-style clothes and gear. Also, every time I’ve been in the Hot Topic, a sales person, dressed in black, spikes, and make up (even the boys) has spoken to me. “Can I help you find anything?” On my only trip through a Hollister, I received not one greeting or acknowledgment.

I like the Hot Topic shopping experience, (although I prefer my regular, everyday clothes from Eddie Bauer). I like looking through the stuff: “Cool, a vintage Optimus Prime on a t-shirt.” “Hey, I’ll have to remember those boots for Halloween.” “Iron Maiden is still making records?” Etc. (For the record, I’m not at all a metalhead. I just can recognize a classic of a genre.)

I once saw a teenager shopping at a Hot Topic who had a t-shirt that read:

You laugh at me because I’m different. But I laugh at you because you’re all the same.

I wanted to put my hand on the kid’s shoulder and say, “Sorry son, but we’re not laughing at you because you’re different. We’re laughing at you because you’re typical.” Oh, the narcissism and delusion of the teenage years.

Bullgrit
bullgrit@totalbullgrit.com