This is something I’ve noticed lately. A lot of hifi shops and hifi manufacturers have helpful staff, but just as many are extremely rude and arrogant.
I’ve had people speak condescendingly about my amp when I’m demoing speakers. Same thing for my speakers. I’ve even had someone, and I kid you not, tell me my streamer has shit sound quality.
It seems like hifi shops are either extremely helpful or just downright awful. The same with manufacturers, they either recognise that there exists alternatives or everything sucks ass compared to their product.
My experience with arrogant, self-righteous snobs (aside from online groups) was at a knife store.
I was asking a question about a type of steel, got the number wrong and the three guys, and I’m talking borderline mall ninja nerds, started to actually snicker and the one guy walks away from me. This is the best part. He actually walked over to my wife and was trying to hit on her. I love my wife to death, because without missing a beat. She says “dream on little dick. You are lucky I don’t knock you out and let my husband rape you in front of your friends.”
We walked out laughing out asses off.