Looks Like She’s One Of Today’s 10,000!, Part 2
This happened a long time ago, but will always remain a core memory for me:
Customer: “Where are y’all algebra books? My kid’s starting it next year, and I need them to learn.”
Me: “This way, in the mathematics and sciences section.”
Customer: “Why is it over there? Why isn’t it over here?”
Me: “These are the travel books, ma’am.”
Customer: “Exactly. Algebra, the country.”
Me: “Algebra is mathematics, ma’am.”
Customer: *Thinks for a moment.* “Okay, well, that makes more sense. I was wondering why all the kids have to learn about some other country.”
I bring her to the algebra books.
Customer: “Oh! That’s algebra! All them x’s and y’s.”
Me: “Yes, ma’am.”
Customer: “I was home-schooled, so my mama made me skip a lot of this stuff. She would say, ‘Jesus didn’t need no math so neither do you!'”
Me: “You know, ma’am, this book is perfect for anyone learning algebra from the beginning. It doesn’t matter if they’re in school or not.”
Customer: *Eyes widen.* “Really? You mean I could read this book too?”
Me: “Anyone with very basic math skills could. You could learn it together with your child, maybe.”
Customer: *Eyes widen some more.* “Oh! Cool! Yeah, I’ll take the book!”
I gave her my employee discount and wished her luck on her journey. On her way out, she was very excited about learning to speak “algabrean”.
