CTB: I don't think it's a gender thing. Shops get pissy about that, period. TiresPlus in St. Pete didn't like me asking them not to use an impact gun, to only put my lugs on hand tight and that I would torque them after the car was rolled back.

I'd asked for non-OEM alignment specs too.

"So, basically you want to just do the job yourself."

"No, but if it's too much for you to target alignment specs that aren't in The Book and if it's a big deal that I don't want my lug nuts cranked down NASCAR-style, I'm happy to go somewhere else."

Not another word, and they did the work, but I'll never go back.

The techs were actually cool and had no problem with it. The office jackass was the one with attitude.