A Late Realization

(As a single twenty-something with no spouse, kids, or pets, I’m usually assigned the night shift at our shop: one to nine pm. It’s an hour to closing and the bell chimes, letting me know there’s a customer up front. I leave my two coworkers in the back, finishing up a project, and greet the customers, a mother and daughter.)

Me: “Good evening, welcome to [Shop]! How can I help you tonight?”

Customer: “Oh, my god, it’s so late! What are you doing here?!”

Me: “Er… we’re open until nine, ma’am.”

Customer: “But it’s so late! Do you have to stay here the whole time?!”

Me: “Yes, ma’am.”

Customer: “When do you close?”

Me: “Nine pm, ma’am.”

Customer: “Oh, my god, that’s so late! Why are you open so late?!”

Me: “…”

(And then she and her daughter left, without buying anything.)