I watched this video and I thought maybe you guys would like to know before making purchases at Gap? The Gap? lol Never been in there. Anyway, as someone who is uncomfortable shopping because of unwanted attention, I thought you guys might want to see this and avoid a situation you might not like. I'm not sure if this is a nationwide thing or if this is uniquely that store. Either way, you should watch and see!
In fitting room: "What's your name?"

Boy this would make me more uncomfortable than it seemed to with Allison-- and she seemed uncomfortable. I know of her as I have been following her for awhile-- very outgoing and honest person. I would either say them I didn't like being talked to while shopping (period). I might think twice about going there, though maybe only have been 2 or 3 times ever.

--Jay Jay

I think I'm more bothered by the length of the video. Yikes.

Well Allison is talkative. I think she does a good video but you wouldn't have to watch it.

--Jay Jay

Talkative is an understatement. I couldn't watch the whole video. To me, it was just natter natter natter about every last little detail of a shopping trip--and I have to admit that I hate shopping, so I don't want to watch a video about someone else's shopping experience, in riveting moment-by-moment detail. Ugh.

So I get the picture: if you challenge societal gender boundaries, don't shop at The Gap. Not that I was planning to.

P.S. I see the value of this heads-up, and I'm not challenging that. But she would likely produce a much better video if she put some thought into self-editing. Thirteen minutes is a bit much.

lol i get what you're saying. I love it when they say "I'm gonna make this video short" and it's like 10 minutes. I usually stop watching.

The whole making things personal and everything is part of loss prevention. If you check in every now and then based on how much stuff they have (trying to determine how long you should take vs how long you're taking). By checking in every now and then they're trying to make sure you're not stealing. The other part is trying to increase sales by getting the fit closer to what you're looking for, and the sizes you want.

No part of this experience seemed to be that big a deal, the only problem was the awkwardness of the employees standing outside the door and continually asking how things were going. I hate that too. But if every Gap asks for your name, it's not like you have to tell them your legal name if it hasn't been changed yet, so I wouldn't worry too much, just give them a gender-neutral name if you think you aren't passing, she did say the fitting area was unisex.

I totally dislike being even talked to while shopping and dont' usually shop with anyone or like to. I like to shop and get the heck out. Getting sizes for you would actually probably help, however, I don't exactly feel comfortable wearing guy's clothes so much that I'd want that much attention.

--Jay Jay

To me she was making a big deal out of nothing. If she didn't feel comfortable with the sales people 'invading' or her trying on clothes she should have just said something along the lines of "No thanks, I don't need any help." and odds are they probably would have just left her alone. She made it awkward, not them.