A Sad Reflection On Common Intelligence

I am working in my boyfriend’s store. He’s a freelance photographer and sells camera equipment and prints. He also takes photos for visas and IDs.

This morning, a nice gentleman in his forties walks in.

Customer: “Can you take an ID photo?”

I lead him into the studio where there’s a chair for him in the centre, with a background and lights all around. There’s a bit of a wait, so I tell him he can use the mirror first (some customers want to check themselves out before the photo) and then take a seat.

He goes over to the mirror by the customer bathroom (no lights, no background, no chair) and stands there looking into it, focusing. I shrug and leave him to it. Maybe he’s doing some sort of meditation?

I go back to the office and fetch my boyfriend, and we wait another five minutes for this man staring deeply into the mirror.

Finally, I ask if he’s ready and he looks at me, confused.

Customer: “There wasn’t a flash or a beep… How do you know I’m done?”

He thought the mirror was a camera.