what about electrics
Were you being pushed, or did you simply say, "I was thinking about getting into R/C airplanes." Many times, clueless newbies ask the wrong questions, and as a result, feel they're being "pushed," when in fact the person in the shop is simply answering the question to the best of his/her knowledge. Of course, the primary purpose of a hobby shop is to sell stuff, so you can't be appalled that they were trying to sell you something.
Remeber that you are not obligated to buy anything. You did exactly what you should've done when a store doesn't have what you want, which is go elsewhere.
What you choose is going to depend on what you want to do, plain and simple. If you, for some reason, don't think glow planes are for you, then get a park flier.
Stop knocking people for sharing what they know. Would you rather they make something up, and have it turn out to be bad advice? At least if they recommend a glow trainer, they can do it truthfully and with confidence. Be glad you were "pushed" toward a .40 glow trainer, at least that airplane would fly. There's still lots of absolute JUNK out there in the electric park flier category.