(I work at a very popular authentic garden in Portland. Even though it is August, it has been raining hard lately.)

Customer: “Hi, I would like two adults, two kids.”

Me: “That will be $$$.”

Customer: “So what happens if it rains?”

Me: “How do you mean?”

Customer: “What happens if it rains? Do you refund everyone’s money or something?”

Me: “Not really. This is Portland after all. We’re famous for heavy rains.”

Customer: “Yes, but what do you do? There‚Äôs no tent or anything that you set up?”

Me: “Well no, ma’am. This is a garden. We‚Äôre still outside, even though you’re paying to get in. And most of the time the rain doesn‚Äôt bother anyone…people still walk in the rain.”

Customer: “They what?! They walk in the rain?! Don‚Äôt they get wet?”

Me: “Well yes, but this is Portland. We’re used to the rain, and besides, the garden is very lovely in the rain.”

Customer: “Oh my! Oh my! This cannot do. This is my vacation! Why does it have to rain? Don‚Äôt we get a rain discount or something?”

Me: “No, sorry. If we gave discounts for every time it rained here, we would be well out of business. And this is a garden, so it needs rain.”

Customer: “Oh God, oh God! The rain…it hurts!”