I'm curious how others, especially coaches, would handle this situation. I was in mall sports-related shoe store (I don't want to name the brand, but one of the big chains, you know where you can buy Jordans but not a soccer ball, that kinda place). A kid, probably around fourteen, was trying one shoes and he and his mom I overheard saying he wanted something for just wearing to school but also for running. Problem is, he was trying on Nike Roshes and things like that—running "inspired" casual sneakers that are not really running shoes, nor intended for running. The store clerk, who was eager of course to sell the $120 sneakers was telling him and his mom that they'd be fine for running as well. They were seated only about a yard from me while I tried on basketball shoes myself, and I didn't say anything but felt like I should have. This isn't a store I normally go to: there are other similar stores which I do frequent where they know I'm a coach and they've even asked me for advice before, but not here. I felt like it would be rude to jump into things but also hated to see a kid encouraged to get shoes that will probably not be very good for him, and hated seeing a clerk either oblivious or uncaring about this.
Thoughts?