A Bit Of Light Reading And Heavy Pronouncements
Due to the iffy public transport where I live, I usually have to wait about half an hour after my shift ends before I can catch the bus home. Therefore, I usually bring a book or two, and after my shift is done I read at one of the tables by the window.
One day, I’m done with my shift, so I sit at the table. I’ve got two books, one that I’m just finishing and one that I’m about to start. About five minutes later, two young men come in.
Customer #1: “I’m telling you, man, the only people who work in stores like these are kids or idiots! Or special needs weirdos.”
Customer #2: “Dude, you’re being an a**hole. Not everyone can afford Uni on their own. Most people need jobs like these.”
Customer #1: “Uni? Nah, no way any of these losers is at Uni. I’ll prove it.”
Sure enough, [Customer #1] walks up to me. I mentally sigh.
Customer #1: *Ridiculously loud and slow* “What are you reading?”
Me: *In a normal voice* “It’s an analysis of the opioids problem in the United States.”
He suddenly speaks in a normal voice, sounding a little put-off.
Customer #1: “Oh. But what about this one?”
Me: “My other book? An exploration of the use of submarine warfare during the Cold War and how it affected the evolution of submarines.”
Customer #2: “Wait, what kind of history degree are you doing?”
Me: “None? I’m doing primary teaching. This is just fun reading.”
Customer #1: “No way. No one reads these sorts of books for fun.”
My coworker, who is on the front register, decides to speak up.
Coworker: “Oh, this is nothing. Last week she was reading up on medieval torture devices.”
Oddly enough, the guys decided to leave me alone after that.
