MR

Apple Stores vs. Sony Style: Apple By a Furlong

I agree in general. I too visit the Pentagon city Sony Style and Apple Stores (and yes, they are next to each other).

The Sony store is gloomy and the employees do stare at you hungrily, if sometimes suspiciously, even when you're wearing a suit and tie. However, I do see kids having fun in their kid's section and no one seems to mind.

The Apple store is crowded and lively, but I when I needed support once, I waited in line for 10 minutes, Macbook Pro in hand, only to be ignored by by the staff, who either acknowledged that I was there and then disappeared into the back, or just kept leaning over the counter to flirt with a gum-chewing 14 year old who was apparently writing a paper.
When I politely interrupted to ask my question, (Is there an easy way to rotate screen orientation--something I know you can do, and something I could use), the guy said, "What?" and looked at me like it was the dumbest thing he had ever heard. When I tried to explain why, he just scoffed again, said, "No", and then leaned back on his elbows to flirt with the girl some more.

So I guess those stores are a good place to hang out. At least the hostiles at Sony give me their attention...