When Retail Is Educational and Fun

Ten years ago, I worked at an adult boutique. Of course, our customers covered a wide range of of tastes and lifestyles. That didn't surprise me.

What did was the essential cluelessness of some of my co-workers.

It was the new girl's second week when one of our regulars came in. He asked me if any new lines of lingerie had come in since his last visit. New Girl jumped in and offered to help him.

Now, we didn't get commissions, but obviously New Girl felt the need to prove herself.

Our customer made his selections and asked for a couple of other items. And despite his requests, New Girl is still not putting two and two together. She offers to gift wrap the lingerie and other accessories for his wife.

Luckily, this customer is a total gentlemen and politely declined.

New Girl offers again. I lean over and whisper to her, "He doesn't want them wrapped. Let it go."

But, no, New Girl has to prove she's a better salesperson than me. She asks once again about gift wrapping the  items for his wife. At this point, our customer smiles and says, "Honey, they're for me."

New Girl turns beet red and starts stammering. I end up having to ring up the sale because New Girl hits so many wrong keys that her register freezes up on her. I apologize profusely because New Girl can no longer talk. As I said, this customer was so sweet and polite. He didn't hold it against us.

Needless to say, New Girl only lasted a couple more weeks before she quit.

I, on the other, got a boatload of material for stories out of this job. *grin*