Dire Education, Part 2

(I’ve transferred from a store in the city where I went to college to a store in my home town after moving back. It’s my first day.)

Coworker: “So, you’re new?”

Me: “I’m new to this store, but I’m a transfer from Burlington, Vermont.”

Coworker: “Where’s that?”

Me: “Vermont.”

Coworker: *blank look*

Me: “Vermont… it’s a state.”

Coworker: “Oh. Never heard of it.”

(Later, I discover that several of my other colleagues also have never heard of Vermont. My manager asks me about my day and I tell him about this.)

Me: “I tried to explain what store I was from, but a few of the other associates have never heard of Vermont. It’s only ten hours away from here.”

Manager: “Oh, well… they are still in college.”

Me: “That’s fifth grade geography.”

Manager: *blank look*