# Do teenagers still shop at Spencer Gifts? Or are my nephews and neices pranking me? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 13, 2016, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-teenagers-still-shop-at-spencer-gifts-or-are-my-nephews-and-neices-pranking-me/762681 "2016-08-13T17:35:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ZPG\_Zealot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e47c2d/32.png) [@ZPG\_Zealot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZPG_Zealot)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-teenagers-still-shop-at-spencer-gifts-or-are-my-nephews-and-neices-pranking-me/762681/1 "2016-08-13T17:35:03Z")
An organization I belong to recently had a back-to-school backpack drive. Since the local Spencer gifts had their backpacks 50% off, I bought what I thought were two nice backpacks for teenagers: one had a wavy spacey purple pattern and the other was Suicide Squad Harlequin merchandise (I know there’s controversy over her dysfunctional relationship with the Joker, but I still found her character interesting). My nieces and nephews assured me that these were appropriate. They wouldn’t be embarrassed to carry back packs like them around. This morning when I dropped I got a lot of dirty looks from the women handling the drive as if I had just donated the most dweebish, stupid items possible. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-teenagers-still-shop-at-spencer-gifts-or-are-my-nephews-and-neices-pranking-me/762681/2 "2016-08-13T17:45:52Z")
FWIW, the last teen I knew (she’s 20 now) got her stuff from [Claire’s](http://www.claires.com/us/). ---
**Author:** ![Waltzes\_with\_Cacti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90ced4/32.png) [@Waltzes\_with\_Cacti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waltzes_with_Cacti)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-teenagers-still-shop-at-spencer-gifts-or-are-my-nephews-and-neices-pranking-me/762681/3 "2016-08-13T18:04:26Z")
Spencer has brick 'n mortar stores? I thought it was a strictly catalogue operation. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-teenagers-still-shop-at-spencer-gifts-or-are-my-nephews-and-neices-pranking-me/762681/4 "2016-08-13T18:10:02Z")
> [@Waltzes\_with\_Cacti](#): > > Spencer has brick 'n mortar stores? They still have some in Texas. I was in one last time I was down there. Come to think of it, a bunch of teens were in there as well. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-teenagers-still-shop-at-spencer-gifts-or-are-my-nephews-and-neices-pranking-me/762681/5 "2016-08-13T18:15:50Z")
There’s a Spencer’s at my local mall, although only the front end would be suitable for teenagers. The back end has sex toys and merchandise of all types with marijuana leaves on it (although they don’t sell paraphernalia). I was there several days ago, because the t-shirt rack caught my eye. They were t-shirts that said “A woman’s place is in the MFing White House” (uncensored 😛 ), “Anyone But Trump”, and others. The girl who was stocking other items nearby said that people were stopping and laughing all the time. Interestingly, they also had a rack of risque greeting cards suitable for middle-aged people, presumably people like me who are not only in that demographic, but also remember purchasing black lights, rainbow wigs, KISS posters, etc. back in their original heyday. Several months ago, I purchased a “Feel The Bern” shirt and never got anything but compliments on it. 🆒 The Claire’s store is just around the corner, and is formatted in a way to deter shoplifters. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-teenagers-still-shop-at-spencer-gifts-or-are-my-nephews-and-neices-pranking-me/762681/6 "2016-08-13T19:17:52Z")
I think the woman doing the drive is the dweeb here. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-teenagers-still-shop-at-spencer-gifts-or-are-my-nephews-and-neices-pranking-me/762681/7 "2016-08-13T19:21:32Z")
> [@Waltzes\_with\_Cacti](#): > > Spencer has brick 'n mortar stores? I thought it was a strictly catalogue operation. They’ve had them for decades. I remember haunting the Spencer’s Gifts store at the local mall over 40 years ago. Every mall I’ve been to since has had one. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-teenagers-still-shop-at-spencer-gifts-or-are-my-nephews-and-neices-pranking-me/762681/8 "2016-08-13T19:30:58Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > They’ve had them for decades. I remember haunting the Spencer’s Gifts store at the local mall over 40 years ago. Every mall I’ve been to since has had one. Yup, I remember a non-mall Spencer Gifts in the 70s. They’ve been steadily supplying novelties over the years along with a variety of regular merchandise. I have no idea what teenagers would want these days but the backpacks described by the OP don’t sound bad in any way. What kind of person sneers at donated goods like that? ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-teenagers-still-shop-at-spencer-gifts-or-are-my-nephews-and-neices-pranking-me/762681/9 "2016-08-13T19:36:15Z")
It’s good to know they’ve lasted this long and have stayed in business when so many other stores have died off. Two of the malls here in town have a Spencer’s Gifts. A solid connection back to my teenage years. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-teenagers-still-shop-at-spencer-gifts-or-are-my-nephews-and-neices-pranking-me/762681/10 "2016-08-13T19:50:09Z")
> [@ZPG\_Zealot](#): > > This morning when I dropped I got a lot of dirty looks from the women handling the drive as if I had just donated the most dweebish, stupid items possible. It seems unlikely that this had anything to do with _where_ you purchased the backpacks. How would they even know? If it was a reaction to the backpacks at all (maybe this was just an unpleasant or grumpy group of women) then it was presumably because of the backpacks themselves. Maybe they don’t approve of _Suicide Squad_. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-teenagers-still-shop-at-spencer-gifts-or-are-my-nephews-and-neices-pranking-me/762681/11 "2016-08-13T19:50:57Z")
> [@Lamia](#): > > It seems unlikely that this had anything to do with _where_ you purchased the backpacks. How would they even know? If it was a reaction to the backpacks at all (maybe this was just an unpleasant or grumpy group of women) then it was presumably because of the backpacks themselves. Maybe they don’t approve of _Suicide Squad_. Who cares? When you donate something it should be accepted graciously. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-teenagers-still-shop-at-spencer-gifts-or-are-my-nephews-and-neices-pranking-me/762681/12 "2016-08-13T20:16:38Z")
The person buying the backpack was fine. The backpacks were fine. The person ultimately receiving it would be fine with it. OP, pay no attention to the Frumpy, tongue-clucking, finger-wagging, judgemental idiots who donate time to charity events. If the drives could collect and give away ‘Holier-Than-Thou-Asshats’, your whole community would be better off… and in every single way. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-teenagers-still-shop-at-spencer-gifts-or-are-my-nephews-and-neices-pranking-me/762681/13 "2016-08-13T20:28:39Z")
also spencers of 30 years ago isn’t the spencers adter the 90s either Before they were purchased by someone who I forget they were mainly catalog selling a wide variety of items mainly the "as seen on tv items and little gadgets (like a vise grip pop bottle opener that I used for years ) they didn’t become the novelty/adult gift store untl they expanded to the malls ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-teenagers-still-shop-at-spencer-gifts-or-are-my-nephews-and-neices-pranking-me/762681/14 "2016-08-13T20:31:06Z")
> [@nightshadea](#): > > also spencers of 30 years ago isn’t the spencers adter the 90s either > > Before they were purchased by someone who I forget they were mainly catalog selling a wide variety of items mainly the "as seen on tv items and little gadgets (like a vise grip pop bottle opener that I used for years ) They had all the traditional novelties that were usually found in catalogs and print ads. I think it was the mall presence that got them to extend the line of merchandise. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-teenagers-still-shop-at-spencer-gifts-or-are-my-nephews-and-neices-pranking-me/762681/15 "2016-08-13T20:37:05Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Who cares? When you donate something it should be accepted graciously. The OP cared enough to ask why these women reacted the way they did, and I offered my best guesses as to why. I neither asked nor expected that you would care about this. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-teenagers-still-shop-at-spencer-gifts-or-are-my-nephews-and-neices-pranking-me/762681/16 "2016-08-13T20:53:34Z")
> [@Lamia](#): > > The OP cared enough to ask why these women reacted the way they did, and I offered my best guesses as to why. I neither asked nor expected that you would care about this. I’m sorry. I was directing my feelings towards the women there, not you. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-teenagers-still-shop-at-spencer-gifts-or-are-my-nephews-and-neices-pranking-me/762681/17 "2016-08-13T22:59:55Z")
> [@Lamia](#): > > It seems unlikely that this had anything to do with _where_ you purchased the backpacks. How would they even know? If it was a reaction to the backpacks at all (maybe this was just an unpleasant or grumpy group of women) then it was presumably because of the backpacks themselves. Maybe they don’t approve of _Suicide Squad_. Yeah–that’s what I was thinking, both that it might be just some unpleasant women or that they might disapprove of Harley Quinn. And, well, you are Roma, and anti-Roma prejudice does still exist, unfortunately. Stupid shit like thinking you must’ve stolen them or something. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-teenagers-still-shop-at-spencer-gifts-or-are-my-nephews-and-neices-pranking-me/762681/18 "2016-08-13T23:10:59Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Yeah–that’s what I was thinking, both that it might be just some unpleasant women or that they might disapprove of Harley Quinn. > > And, well, you are Roma, and anti-Roma prejudice does still exist, unfortunately. Stupid shit like thinking you must’ve stolen them or something. What makes you think the people at the drop off know that **ZPG** is Roma or have any reason to be prejudiced against her? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-teenagers-still-shop-at-spencer-gifts-or-are-my-nephews-and-neices-pranking-me/762681/19 "2016-08-13T23:23:51Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > …anti-Roma prejudice does still exist, unfortunately… Why would that be, I wonder? ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2016, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-teenagers-still-shop-at-spencer-gifts-or-are-my-nephews-and-neices-pranking-me/762681/20 "2016-08-14T00:05:44Z")
I got one of my prize possessions at Spencer’s (40 years ago): a ram-skull candle holder. You put a votive-type candle in the back of the skull and the opaque, marble-ish eyeballs gloooooooow at you. Eerie. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-teenagers-still-shop-at-spencer-gifts-or-are-my-nephews-and-neices-pranking-me/762681.md?page=2)