Real Numbers, Imaginary Common Sense

(Our store recently installed numerical locks on our doors due to vandalism. They are a minor annoyance, but usually not a huge issue.)

Customer: “Can I get the code to your restroom?”

Me: “Yes, sir, it’s 81818.”

Customer: “I’m sorry, what was the number?”

Me: “It’s 81818.”

Customer: “I’ll never remember that. I need to hear it in real numbers. Can you tell me the code using real numbers please?”

Me: *confused* “It’s eight-one-eight eighteen.”

Customer: “No, that’s still not a real number. I need it in real numbers.”

Me: “Why don’t I just write it down for you?”

Customer: “No, it’s eighty-one thousand, eight-hundred and eighteen. Was that so hard?!”