Consumer Culture Has Infected Them All

I work in one of Philadelphia’s hundred museums. It’s not unusual for visitors to ask for directions to other museums when they’re done with ours, especially one made famous by a certain fictional boxer.

I am stationed in a room that people normally visit just before they’re ready to leave. A visitor makes the most confusing request I’ve had to deal with to date.

Visitor: “Can you give me directions to the museum?”

Me: “Do you mean the [Popular Art Museum]?”

Visitor: “No.”

Me: “Okay, which one are you looking for?”

Visitor: “There’s more than one?”

Me: “Yes… there are a couple of dozen museums in this city.”

Visitor: “I guess I’m looking for the [Our Museum].”

Me: “Ma’am, that’s us. You’re already here.”

Visitor: “Yes, can you give me directions?”

Me: “Are you trying to get back to the main room?”

Visitor: “No, I’m just trying to buy a shirt! How hard is that to understand? Where is the museum?!”

Me: “Oh, you mean the museum store.”

Visitor: “Yes! The museum!”