I disagree that the customer is always right. I like this quote:

"The fact is that some customers are just plain wrong, that businesses are better of without them, and that managers siding with unreasonable customers over employees is a very bad idea, that results in worse customer service."

Look at Southwest Airlines and how they are in relation to the other airlines. If an employee feels empowered, they will give the best customer service they can as opposed to an oppressed employee. This quote by Herb Kelleher says it all:

"Herb Kelleher [...] makes it clear that his employees come first — even if it means dismissing customers. But aren’t customers always right? “No, they are not,” Kelleher snaps. “And I think that’s one of the biggest betrayals of employees a boss can possibly commit. The customer is sometimes wrong. We don’t carry those sorts of customers. We write to them and say, ‘Fly somebody else. Don’t abuse our people.’”

I think "the customer is always right" mentality is outdated. I prefer giving my business to a company that backs their employees instead of seeing an employee squirm and then give into whatever ridiculous rant the customer is going on about.

To go back to the original topic, yeah there is stereotyping going on. I've been guilty of it. The best thing you can do is be subtle in education but also call them on comments that are uncalled for. You can't educate the whole of civilization (I wish I could..those people who drive under the speed limit in the passing lane are sorely needing something) but each lesson will impact the person a bit more.

The salon I go to (not to be totally girly here) has a resident dog. She is the owners dog. I have heard people complain about the dog because the dog WILL jump up next to you as you're getting a pedicure. This salon is awesome though and I really like the dog. The customers that complain are advised that there might be a better place for them to go. Go figure, the salon is booked WEEKS in advance. I like the fact that the owner has taken a stance regarding something she believes in and I will put up with waiting weeks to get an appointment Apparently, I am not the only one.