(I am female, in my 20s, and the only employee at this flower shop. The owner is older than me, and also female. An elderly woman calls one morning.)

Me: “Hello, [florist].”

Elderly customer: “Hello, I was looking for an American flag to hang outside.”

Me: “Okay, we have several sizes and we carry both nylon and cotton flags.”

(I run through the sizes for her.)

Elderly customer: “I’m just not sure. Is there a man I can talk to?”

Me: “Excuse me?”

Elderly customer: “A man. I want to ask him about flags.”

Me: “I’m sorry ma’am, no men work here.”

Elderly customer: “I’ll just call back later…”