So I’m standing in the men’s suit depeartment of the Bay (the place where I worked during the summer), and I’m covering one of the other associates breaks. Before she leaves she tells me that theres a man in the change room trying some things on and that the merchandise on the counter is his. I say yeah okay and let her go on her way.
So I’m standing there by the changeroom, and the man comes out and says to me, “I want to try on some trunks.” I assume he means the swim trunks, and I nod and say okay. So he walks away and I don’t see him for 15 or so minutes.
I finish cashing through a customer and the same guy comes up to me and says he’s ready to purchase. I’m like okay let’s cash you through. I have my head down looking at the cash register mind you and I don’t see what it is he’s holding. Then out of no where he says, “Is this for gays?” I imediately look up shocked and I’m like what?? Gays? I look at him and he’s holding what looks to be a man thong in his hands. I don’t know what to say and I imediately start to ramble on about I dont know what gay guys where for underwear and what not. He eventually says he’ll take it. And I quickly cash him through and hand over the bag. But I can’t help but keep thinking about if he had tried that thong on and what exactly he left behind in the change rooms...
I loved that story! I can't really relate to that particular situation, but awkward moments are my forte. What do you do in a situation like that? What do you say? Especially while working, you can't say anything to bring a negative name to the company. Also, you don't want to offend the costumer and say "umm thats womens wear!" Great idea for a blog, I like the personal touches you have added (especially with that story!)
ReplyDeleteI thought this entry was hilarious, especially when the man asks "is this for gays?". I feel like if I were YOU I would have thought he was saying "guys". Also, why was he so curious to know if it was for a gay man? It makes me think that he was shopping for his gay grandson or something. On a more sophisticated note, the fact that he says "gays" and is open about it with a retail worker means that our society is progressing towards are more liberal mindset. I know the "gay" issue is kind of out dated now, but to think we live in a country where freedom of expression is encouraged is awesome.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading more stories about your encounters with customers!
This made me laugh so much! I have to say its easy to relate to your blog. As students, we've all had some experience in the retail service industry, and we've all dealt with the odd customer here and there. I work as a waitress, and I know I get comments and questions here and there that leave me standing there, slack jawed and at a complete loss for words. I mean, what can you really do? The service industries depend on a polite, customer friendly attitude to get that paycheck. So its not like you can just speak your mind freely, as much as you want to know what exactly was going through that person's head. I love this idea for a blog, you'll never run out of stories and I cant wait to read more!
ReplyDeleteTHIS IS TOO FUNNY!
ReplyDeleteI work at a clothing store too and one time a customer asked me what kind of underwear her husband should wear if she bought white linen pants. She began to ramble on and said that her husband hates wearing underwear. She said she'd come back with her husband so he could try them on...In my mind I though, I REALLY hope they don't come back.