Midwest troutbum,
When some blow-hard is talking about his time share in Aruba just remember this -- it's a freakin' time share! All you need is a pulse to get into a time share. Just ask my brother-in-law. Getting out of one is what takes talent. Anyhoo -- why does it matter anyway? Some people got more stuff than you do. Relax -- it's just gonna be that way.
You gotta lose that inferiority complex, man. When you tiptoe into a flyshop all mousy and feeling like you're out of place, it's gonna show. I bet you headed right over to the close-out bin and started picking through it. Maybe even grabbed a packet of pink marabou or tried on a pair of last-year's Red Balls.
You gotta carry yourself like you've already got everything in the shop, but you're looking for some backup equipment to leave at your HOME in Aruba. Hold your head up. Get the dude-atude. Your money's as good as the next guy's.
Or, you just may be happier shopping online.