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Google
First time visiting the Aoyama store after being recommended by our friend to check it out. While the concept was refreshing and clean - the service wasn't. Requested to go up to check out the second and third floor of which the reply from an employee wearing glasses was "Give me a moment please". It proceeded to being completely ignored even after he has finished serving other customers. Another friend went back to asked if we could go up to check out what's in store as we were told before we came there was more stuff upstairs.
The same employee in glasses said "Why do you want to go up for?"
To which the reply was "hmm.. shopping?"
To which we were further queried "what exactly do you want to get?"
I was dumbfounded, cos obviously we wouldn't know what to buy if we can't see it. The conclusion was we were rejected anyway with a fake smile.
After sharing this experience with our friend who recommended us this place - the conclusion is if you don't buy any item or make them work 'for free' in the first floor, then don't think about going up to the second or third floors. They were able to go up in their last visit because they purchased something.
I figured the fact that we were gaijins, and that we didn't spend any money on the first level, has immediately branded us as a waste of time and gave us a feeling that we were not welcome there.
Needless to say, we won't be back even if the concept and clothes were clean and refreshing. Perhaps the employee has had rough experiences from gaijins, we are not sure. Perhaps he hated walking up and down the narrow flight of stairs to bring customers who don't buy anything.
Moral of the story: you will be judged, just how and by who. Of course depending on who serves you. However if you spend money, you will be treated with dignity and respect.
