I am a curvy girl, and I’m at the merchandise booth of a music festival. A couple of my friends and I find an empty spot at the counter and wait to be helped. The employees are in the midst of helping other customers when we walk up, but even after money has been exchanged, none of the employees move on to me or my friends. I figure they’re still in the middle of a transaction, looking for other merchandise for their customers, etc. But after a few minutes of them wandering around the merch area and no other festival goers at the counter, it’s obvious they’re not waiting on anyone else.
I’m just about to get someone’s attention myself when one of the male employees finally sees me.
Employee: “Can I help you?”
Me: “Yeah, that blue tank top, second in from the right on the bottom row?” *Points* “Can I see that in a large?”
He takes a long look at the merchandise wall.
Employee: “Which one?”
I point again and try to be as clear as possible with my instructions since the shirts aren’t numbered — “right above the purple top on the table,” “the middle of those three tank tops,” etc. Finally, after several attempts at describing the location of the tank I want, the employee walks over to the wall and points at the one next to the one I want, which is also blue.
Me: “The one right next to that… Yeah, that’s the one.”
Employee: “The crop top?”
I didn’t realize it was a crop since it’s quite a flowy, boxy style, so I’m a little surprised.
Me: “Oh, it’s a crop?”
The employee gives me a sympathetic look and speaks with a dejected tone.
Employee: “Yeaaaah, it is.”
He begins walking back over to the counter without the top, which annoys me a little since I never said I’d changed my mind.
Me: “Oh. Okay, well… can I see it in a large?”
He returns to the merch wall and glances into the box where they have the tanks I want.
Employee: “We’re out of that in a large. We have it in an extra large… or just small or medium.”
He begins walking back to me again.
Me: “Can I look at the medium?”
He finally brings me the top. It’s definitely a loose-fitting style, and it looks very similar in cut to a few crop tops that I already own. Plus, I know the brand, and I already own a size medium tank from the same company, so I decide to get it.
Me: “Okay, I’ll take it.”
The employee folded the shirt while I got my money out. He didn’t tell me my total but just waited expectantly for me to hand over my cash. I did so, and he gave me my change and my shirt without another word.
After that pleasant encounter, I still had to wait almost five more minutes for my friends, who’d had to move to another part of the counter before they were actually waited on.
To those several unhelpful employees: I hope you were just tired that day, because every single other festival employee was outperforming you by miles. If you aren’t going to give the great service that’s expected at this event, please consider working elsewhere at the festival.
