(I work at an aquarium. I am petting one of the starfishes in the touch tank when a middle-aged man comes up to the tank. A coworker working the tank is telling us facts about starfishes).

Coworker: “A really interesting aspect about these guys is that if one of their arms was severed, they could grow another one.”

Middle-aged Man: “So, you mean that if I cut off one of its arms it would grow right back?”

Coworker: “Well yes, but—”

Middle-aged Man: “What if I cut off TWO of its arms? Would they still grow back?”

Coworker: “Well, I’m—”

Middle-aged Man: “I know! I will cut off ALL of its arms! Let’s see if it can rebound from that!”

Coworker: *freaked out* “Thank you for all the interest everyone, but the touch tank is now closed for the day!” *moves all the starfish back towards him and closes the tank*

Small child: “Mommy! I just saw a fish that was as big as Aunt Karen!”

Mom: “There is NO fish that’s as big as Aunt Karen.”

Related:
Size Matters, Part 6
Size Matters, Part 5
Size Matters, Part 4
Size Matters, Part 3
Size Matters, Part 2
Size Matters

(I’m helping visitors touch some of the animals on exhibit. One of the boys in the crowd is getting too rowdy with the snake I have out.)

Me: “I’m going to need you to step back so someone else can have a turn.”

Boy: “Why?”

Me: “You’re being a little to rough with the animal. You can come back later, though.”

Boy: “YOU ARE BEING RACIST!”

Me: “Um…how?”

Boy: “It’s because I’m black!”

(Note: I’m white, and so is the boy.)

Me: “Um, you’re white.”

Boy: “Oh, so now you’re being a reverse racist!” *storms away*

(The aquarium I work at is a non-profit organization, so we’re always accepting donations. A well dressed older lady comes up to me, and asks a question about one of the animals in the 2000 gallon tank.)

Customer: “You see the eel? Doesn’t he just look so sad in that small tank?”

Me: “That’s actually just the way they look and act in the wild.”

Customer: “All the fish are swimming in circles. They just look so bored and sad.”

Me: “I agree that it must get boring, but this is all these fish would do in the wild anyway. They would even live in a small area, like this one.”

Customer: “Well, I’d like to just write you a big check. But your fish just look too sad.”

(I volunteer at an aquarium and often work our touch tank.)

Visitor: “Oh look! Stingrays!”

Me: “Actually, ma’am, those are horse shoe crabs.”

Visitor: “How can you tell?”

Me: *flipping the crab over* “It has claws and feet. Stingrays don’t have feet. Would you like to touch it?”

Visitor: “No! It will sting me!”

Me: “No, ma’am, I assure it is safe.”

Visitor: “I don’t think so! You must just be immune!”

Visitors 12 Year Old Son: “Mom! It’s in the touch tank!”