Re: Going to Guitar Center for the first time!
Expect some salesperson to come around and shake your hand with an intro and an offer of assistance. Take them up on it, and ask to see whatever you feel like playing. If it's common, in-production stock, no problem ...if it's something from the vintage section, expect them to watch you.
Once you've chosen an ax & amp, just show a little respect. Don't rub your jeans rivet against the back of the ax, don't crank a stack to "11," don't attempt to engage in head-cutting contests with the other customers .... just chill and enjoy the guitar in your hands.
They're in the business of making money. They don't know if you have two cents or two grand in your pockets. Even if your pockets have only two cents at this time, you may someday have a few bucks to burn ; they'd like you to remember how well you were treated on your prior visits. As long as you treat their property ( and it's still their property until you ring it up at the counter) with respect, you should have no problem.
One last word ...unless it's a deal that your local shop can't match, do try to buy from your local independant dealer. Most of these guys are hurting, and it's the big shops that are squeezing them. You have the right as a consumer to seek the best price, but you should consider that the extra few bucks that you may spend with your local shop might just help them stay in business. In the future, do you want to have to mail-order strings ?
Have fun, and be prepared to pick your jaw from the floor.
I also got sick of all the Metallica **** I used to play, so I probably won't be the annoying guy that plays every popular guitar tune there ever was 
