Microsoft Dances Its Way Into Shoppers’ Hearts
November 17th, 2009 at 11:12 AM - News by Jeff Gamet
It looks like Microsoft may have a thing or two it can teach Apple about making an impression on customers through interpretive dance -- or at least the electric slide. The company's Mission Viejo store staff recently got its groove-thing on in attempted to ramp up its coolness factor with a choreographed dance routine for customers.
The entire floor staff in the Microsoft Store broke into dance for over four and a half minutes while several customers watched. The routine looked to be an attempt to show customers how cool and fun Microsoft stores are, although most of the customers appeared to either ignore the employees or offer up looks of confusion. A few shoppers joined in and danced with the staff, too.
Microsoft hasn't said if dance numbers will become routine in its stores, but that isn't stopping us from hoping their next production will be an interpretive song and dance number set to Guys and Dolls.
[Thanks to Engadget for the heads up.]
22 Observer Comments
That is the most annoying thing I’ve ever seen. They are trying to seem hip, yet it is just sad and stupid.
please make it stop
Maybe they were just bored out of their skull’s because nobody was buying anything and they don’t work at the ‘problem’ counter?
Did they all get into the routine, leaving customers to wait until they were done, or was it just the ones who did not have customers? If it was the former, that is bad salesmanship. Never walk away from a customer you are helping to do something else. If it was the latter, what does that say about how few customers they had in the store compared to the number of employees?
Could be worse, at least Ballmer wasn’t dancing with them. ![]()
To be fair a few years ago I danced Shake a Tail Feather with the Blues Brothers impersonators at the Universal Studios tour. I suppose a lot of tourists took video of that, but I have yet to see it on YouTube.
Next they’ll be serving quiche and singing happy birthday.
There is so little people in the store when compared to AppleStore, no wonder they have room to do the dance.
I wonder if they’ll be wearing “flair” next?
I think they do this every time they sell a premium version of Windows 7 or actually solve a problem at the guru bar or sell a computer that isn’t a netbook ![]()
On a more serious note, depending on the time of day it was, there weren’t a lot of people in the store. Would they be doing this if the store was busy? Is this a desperate attempt to try to attract attention and get more foot traffic into the store? Will they count the people who just came into the store to dance as part of their foot traffic? They would seem to have a lot of time on their hands to practice this. If things really aren’t busy, I wonder when we will hear about the layoffs? Will who gets retained be related to how good a dancer they are
?
Neal
You’ve GOT to be friggin kidding me. Please tell me you wrote this article, tongue firmly planted in proverbial cheek. That is the tackiest, scariest event that’s likely happened in any tech store. I’d be tempted to dial 9-1-1 if I was anywhere nearby *that* sickly event.
There’s a 50s style hamburger diner joint called Johnny Rocket’s that used to do this. The staff would break into a 50s doo-wop dance/song thing every now and then, and I thought it was kind of cool. Of course, it kind of fit with the place and atmosphere instead of being a poor attempt at co-opting the flash mob idea.
If you consider “cool” or “hip” as successfully getting the soccer mom and retiree crowd to join in your line dance, then I guess they are wicked cool AND hip.
Is it just me or does the staff look like they are right out of Star Trek with their Yellow, Blue and Red shirts? Watch out Red Shirts you know what’s coming!
“If you consider “cool” or “hip” as successfully getting the soccer mom and retiree crowd to join in your line dance, then I guess they are wicked cool AND hip.”
Retiree crowd! Hey I was retired when I danced at Universal Studios. ![]()
“Is it just me or does the staff look like they are right out of Star Trek with their Yellow, Blue and Red shirts? Watch out Red Shirts you know what’s coming!”
The Apple Retail Store staff wear T-Shirts, usually all them wear the same colored ones though. They also do the clapping and cheering thing when we enter the store at grand opening, release a new OS or something.
They’re all doing the monkey dance!
Retiree crowd! Hey I was retired when I danced at Universal Studios.
No offense intended Harry, I’m not that far off myself.
No offense intended Harry, I’m not that far off myself.
No offense taken, this is all in fun.
When someone buy a computer system there, everyone of the employees start clapping and cheering.
now THAT is really embarrassing.
That is scary. This is the first microsoft store I have seen and I am amazed at the extent they have tried to duplicate an Apple store. Is there not one creative individual in that company? In addition I wonder how many windows users are going to say Apple is trying to copy microsoft with their stores.
I feel sorry for the the employees who are told to dance like they work at Coyote Ugly. Just sad.
Looks like there are way more staff than customers. Maybe they just needed something to keep the staff from suffering a terminal case of boredom.
Recent Headlines - Updated February 9th
- Tue, 3:28 PM
- News - Google Lowers Nexus One “Equipment Recovery Fee” to $150
- 2:27 PM
- Deal Brothers - Refurbished 13” MacBook 2.13GHz Intel Core 2 Duo: $749
- 1:31 PM
- Jeff Gamet's Blog - Macworld Expo: It’s Our Show, Not Apple’s
- 10:38 AM
- Quick Look Review - Texas Tea for the iPhone and iPod touch
- 10:25 AM
- News - Apple Rolls Out Aperture 3 Video Tutorials
- 10:00 AM
- Hot Forum Topic - Backing Up Your iPhoto Library
- 9:35 AM
- Product News - Notebook, iThoughts Add TextExpander touch Support
- 9:00 AM
- Hidden Dimensions - The Killer Surprises Waiting for Steve Ballmer
- 8:50 AM
- Product News - Aperture 3 Adds Faces Support, More [Updated]
- 8:30 AM
- TMO Quick Tip - Fixing iPhone and MobileMe Sync Headaches
- 8:12 AM
- News - Apple Store Offline, Rumors Point to New Laptops
- 8:00 AM
- TMO Appearances - TMO’s Bryan Chaffin and the Atomic Love Bombs Perform During Macworld Expo
The Mac Observer Reader Specials
- TypeStyler For Mac OS X is Now Shipping! Download The Free Fully Functional 60 Day Tryout at www.typestyler.com
RamJet Memory: Mac Pro 8GB Kit $275.99, Mac Pro 4GB Kits $145.99! Sale on MacBook and MacBook Pro 8GB kits $459.99! MacBook, MacBook Pro, iMac Mac mini 4GB Kits for $113.99! 1TB SATA Hard Drives for $109.99! Click here- If you own a car, you need CarMD! Catch problems, estimate repairs and more. Now for Mac. $98.99 at www.CarMD.com Save $10 with code TMO1.
If you're using a Mac, then you've gotta check out Full Tilt Poker for Mac. This Full Tilt Poker bonus code does the unthinkable, it actually rewards!For the latest Apple products use Ciao, a price comparison website, to find laptops like MacBook Air. Then find the best prices on MP3 players and use our comparison tool to evaluate mobile phones like the Apple iPhone.
Laptop Hardware Provided by TechRestore - Overnight Mac & iPod Repairs.



2nd Gen. Refurbished 16GB iPod touch: $199.00 Delivered - Tons of Refurb iPod Deals!
