Dear helpful customer,
You walked up to the counter and after some awkward eye contact you said,
“Valentine’s.”
It wasn’t even a question. My co-worker and I stared at you, hoping you might give us another clue.
“Valentine’s?”
This time it was a question and you were irritated. It would be helpful if you used more words. We asked if you wanted cards. You said, “For kids.” Okay, more words is helpful, but not by much. I told you we didn’t have the packs of cards for classroom exchange. This made you more irritated. My co-worker piped up, probably to stop you from saying Valentine’s again. “We have books over in the children’s section for Valentine’s Day.” You looked confused at the suggestion.
“Books?”
Great, we were back to one word questions. Yes, of course books! You are in a bookstore! It’s in the name of the store, look around you. Those rectangular things on the shelves, they’re books. We sell other items as well, but you have to give us more to work with. I said yes, books and single cards, but no card packs. You muttered that what you really wanted was some sort of Valentine’s activity for your son. How the hell was I supposed to guess that from your “Valentine’s” demand?
We told you there were no Valentine’s kits or activities in the store. Truth is, there might be, but we had lost interest in helping you when you lost interest in expressing yourself in full sentences. No one here is a mind reader.
Sincerely,
Kelly
