Raising Requests

(Next to the registers is our balloon station, where we fill balloons with helium, tie them off, etc. We like to do this with the customer next to us, and many customers love to help out any way possible; holding balloons in place while we tie, helping cut the strings, etc. Today I am helping a customer with a balloon bouquet.)

Me: “Okay, is that big enough?”

Customer: “That’s perfect!”

Me: “Great, now let me tie it off…” *I do so* “And, oh shoot, I forgot to get the string ready. Will you hold the balloon for me while I measure out the string? Just say ‘when.'”

Customer: “Okay.”

(I hand the balloon to the customer, who takes it between their hands. Once I pull out the string they want, the customer releases the balloon and we both silently watch it float fifteen feet to the ceiling.)

Me: “Why did you do that?”

Customer: “I… really don’t know.”