You would think a "shop rat" would educate themselves on something they didn't know about. The LBS I worked at sold some recumbents, for example, and they really weren't my cup of tea but I tried to do some research and find out as much as I can about them. Same with fixed gear. Back around ten years ago I put together a fixie when almost NO ONE had even heard of them.
Some customer asked me about recumbents and I didn't know alot about them but I helped him as best as I could and I would see if another employee knew any more about them than I did. He really appreciated it.
Why do people want to be ignorant if they work at a shop unless they hate it and are just going through the motions?