"Vox Humana" > wrote:
> It is my observation that WS has turned into a place that caters to
> people looking for status. The clerks at the store where I browse
> seem to be from the same pool that works at the higher end cosmetic
> counters at places at Nordstrom's -- sort of unhealthy, detached
> people with mahogany died hair who look completely bored with life.

Reminds me of a time I went into a WS store (Tyson's Corner, VA) looking for
a Perfex salt mill to go with my Perfex pepper mill. I didn't see it on
display, so I asked one of the clerks and gave a description of it. I
mentioned it was made of cast aluminum. She said in a rather high falutin'
tone of voice: "Oh, you mean the French PEWTER one!" Whatever... I do think
I know my metallurgy a bit better than she did. I guess aluminum is for the
unwashed masses... forgetting about All Clad for the moment.

On occasion I do find some useful, reasonably priced things at WS, either in
their catalog or store. Last thing I got was a paillard meat pounder, which
I like a lot. A couple of years back I found their oyster knife worked very
well for me, so I got a few. An oyster lover never stops looking for an even
better oyster knife... so I have quite a collection at this point.