Should I Give Advice?

[kribensis12]

Well, i was at petsmart the other day waiting to get fish( i know, not always the best idea!), and some ladie just set up a 14g tank. She was looking at the fish and asked if she could get a Balashark for this tank. I was thinking no, get''s too big, need to be in group's, and you just set it up. What does the Petsmart lady say? Yes, only 1, they will be fine on their own by it's self. She is comming in tommorow to get it. I feel very contemplated about this. I coudl ahve given information on this, and cycling, but i didnt. I ma 14, and the chances someone would listen to me are slim, but she might have. Should i give advice next time? Or keep my knowlege to myself?
Krib

 

[Inchworm]

Hi kribensis12

As long as you're polite about it, I don't think anyone would mind listening to your opinion, whatever your age. From what I can see from your forum posts, you know a fair amount already and can probably make some interesting and informative small talk with just about anyone you might meet in a store.

It's easy to strike up a conversation at an lfs because many people don't know others who share their interest in fish or even know there are forums online where they can learn. Writing down our internet address and sharing it is a good icebreaker, if you want to start talking to someone, and from there you could tell them what they need to know.

 

[kribensis12]

Thank's!!!!!!!!!!! What does everyone else think?

 

[Tolak]

Age and knowledge do not coincide with many things, aquatics is one of them. Computers & video games are a couple of others that come to mind.

I see nothing wrong with sharing knowledge, open minded people know age doesn't equal knowledge. It can't hurt to try, I wouldn't hesitate to listen to a youngster with aquatics knowledge, or any other topic where there is a chance I could learn something.

 

[kribensis12]

Well i am going to try to walk with my aunt to petsmart tommorow, so if i see the lady, i might "enlighten" her a bit. Most people i know dont exactly listen to younger people. The lady did sound like she wanted her fish too live. his is what she said" I would hate to have one die and know if was my fault".

 

[Hollymolly4]

What about talking to the person who works in the store? I get my fish at Petsmart only after I have done my own research. The girl there was pretty nice and seemed to know a thing or two. I asked her if there was any classes or things they had to do to be hired and she said she had some books she was suppose to read. That's it!!

 

[Rob.S]

Well i am going to try to walk with my aunt to petsmart tommorow, so if i see the lady, i might "enlighten" her a bit.

Why not point her in the direction of this forum??

 

[the biffster]

i used to go in to petsmart and pets at home and it used to make
me cringe some of the things i heard the assistants say i remember one time
some one buying a 18"x18"x12" tank for gold fish and got told they could keep up to six in that size
tank i you buy a fish and i dies it your fault not there's and they say you can mix all types together
i once saw butter fly fish in with a lung fish it was feeding quiet well on them that's how bad they are
17 years i have been keeping fish and any one can ask me a question if i don't know the answer i know some one who
will but wonders will never cease to amaze me if you have the knowledge and are confident enought go for it there's
no substitute for time and experience



good luck biff

17 years at fish keeping and still willing to learn

next project 18x18x18 nano reef saving up at the moment

 

[kribensis12]

Thank's!!!!!!!!! Dont i need to give her my name on here for who you were referred to?? I wonder if she would join, but sahe did sound like she really cared.

 

[SJ2K]

Just to add, i think id find the urge to speak up too tempting as stated, aslong as your polite.

 

[sarah86]

i have had a similar experience before, not with fish but with rats. i have kept them for many years now and i think i have a very good knowledge about them, however when i went to get my current rat there was a couple there who were looking at buying a pair. the woman had said she had done her research which was fair enough but she was asking questions about them aswell to the girl who worked there. the woman told her that rats dont jump and will sit on the sofa without trying to get on the floor, this in my experience is wrong, if i rat is brave enough and its not too high they will jump and they like to run around. also she was asking if it was better to get male or females, the sales person said it didnt matter. I offered them some advice, such as they will jump and in my experience female rats tend to chew more and be more hyper. the woman who was buying them completely blanked me and walked away, but her partner carried on asking me questions. i was being polite and trying to help, she was very rude and looked at me as though i hadnt got a clue, luckily her partner had more sense and wasnt afraid of taking advice. i think it really depends upon who you are speaking to no matter how polite you are, but i would always try and educate people if i felt it was appropriate and would benefit the animal and the people buying them
sorry for the long winded story!! had to have a bit of a rant lol

 

[kribensis12]

NOw, i need to persuade my aunt to go on a walk to target, and cub food's( petsmart is right between them).

 

[jarcher1390]

y not as long as your polite, people normally go with the oldest person in the shop thinking they must know the most but that not always true.
I had to make a name for ma self b4 people came to me for some advice.
GO ahead you may be lucky one of the workers mite actually be listening.
Jonny

 

[Ian H]

I done it not long ago in pets at home similar story but with a clown loach, even if they dont listen at least you tried!

 

[kribensis12]

I saw the lady who work's there, but she was real busy and didnt even want to talk. I didnt see the lady who wanted the bala, poor thing.