Not only did Microsoft feel they had to go and copy Apple for their stores themselves, they also felt the need to take a page out of the book of Improv Everywhere. If the colorful shirts, store layout, and concepts involved in their retail store (i.e. Genius Bar type help desks) weren’t enough to show Microsoft’s ability to copy, the actions of their employees may help. The video below, in which Microsoft store employees randomly start clapping and dancing the electric slide to a song other than the actual electric slide, proves this. Go ahead, enjoy:
Shouldn’t you guys be helping somebody instead of trying to act hip? Oh, and the worst part is that some customers actually joined in on the dance. Honestly, I’m glad I wasn’t there, I probably would’ve walked out faster than the time it takes to get a Windows blue screen of death. I’m not sure what the point to all this was—if there even was one—other than to try and make working at a Microsoft Store any fun at all.
Via [CrunchGear]
This is exactly what's wrong with Microsoft: they try too hard to be cool & they fail at it.
I just love how that girl shoplifts something at 2:10 into the video. Priceless.
As Josh said, if I'm expecting service and the employees are dancing and singing, that would make mad. It's the same in restaurants when the employees start singing to someone. Get your ass back in the kitchen and bring me my sammich.
To be fair, though, I doubt Microsoft mandated that all their employees put on little pageants. Likely, the manager of this particular store is some kind of dork who thinks this is good for business, and forced everyone to do it.
Wow.. I got embarrassed watching that video. I mean if it was an SNL skit, I'd laugh my butt off, but this was real, that's what makes it uncomfortable.
My take on the whole thing is that Mac deserves a shot at the top spot. MS has had it's time as did IBM way back when. Remember "Big Blue"? Little did I know the only thing that Microsoft really got from "Big Blue" came in the form of the Grim Reaper (Blue Screen Of Death).
SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW, SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING BLUE. Come on MS, get original!!!