I’m in a large, nationwide office supply store the night before my university term starts, and I’m getting some things I’d realised I’d run out of. My father is with me, but he’s wandered off to look at sketchbooks while I’m looking at folders.
This store has everything you would ever need if it pertained to school, offices, or businesses in general: technology, backpacks, notebooks, sketchbooks, pens, pencils, etc. But it’s only the sort of things you would use in an office or business, not anything specific to what that business may be.
As it’s night, and nearing store closing, it’s relatively quiet. Suddenly, I hear a couple talking from the aisle behind me.
Man: “Hmm…I don’t think they have it.”
Woman: “But they must! This is a supply store!”
She pauses.
Woman: “Oh, there’s an employee! Excuse me! Can you help us?”
By this point, I’m done selecting what I want, but I’m curious what they were looking for, so I stay where I am. The aisle they were in had art supplies, and this store has the biggest range, and was the only place in town that had brands like Copic markers, and when I was younger, I spent many a day choosing the best I could afford when I took art in school. They had EVERYTHING you could ever want.
Naturally, I’m curious as to what they couldn’t find.
Employee: “Yes, ma’am, are you having trouble finding something?”
Woman: “Yes! I can’t find your sewing supplies!”
Employee: “…sewing supplies?”
Woman: “Yes! Like needles and cotton! I thought it would be here, but it’s not!”
Employee: “…I’m sorry, but we don’t sell sewing supplies. We’re an office supply store.”
Man: “Exactly!”
Employee: “I’m sorry, I don’t follow. We sell OFFICE supplies. For businesses, offices, and students.”
Man: “Yes, exactly! You supply to offices! And businesses! What if there’s a business that repairs things? How can you not sell sewing supplies?!”
Woman: “This is discrimination! You need to sell EVERYTHING a business may need!”
Employee: “Ma’am…”
Woman: “What am I meant to do now?!”
Employee: “You could go to [national craft, fabric, and sewing store]?”
Man: “They’re already closed! You sell art stuff, why don’t you sell sewing materials? Some businesses may do sewing too, you know!”
They start arguing with the poor employee, who keeps saying that yes, it’s an office supplies store and NO, they don’t sell, and have never sold, sewing materials. I ducked out of the aisle and found my father.
Dad: *Seeing me trying not to laugh.* “What’s up with you?”
Me: “…I’ll tell you in the car.”
I did. We both laughed. This happened about ten years ago. I still think of it when I go to the store.
