Easily Puzzled
Me: “[Frame Shop], how can I help you?”
Lady: “Hi. I have a problem with a mat I ordered.”
Me: “What is the problem?”
Lady: “Well, I wanted the mat to fit over a puzzle and on the puzzle box it says it is supposed to be 20″ by 28″, so that is what we ordered.”
Me: “Okay.”
Lady: “But I am putting the puzzle together and it is only 20″ by 23″.”
Me: “Well, if there is a problem I can always re-order the mat for you…”
Lady: “But the puzzle is supposed to be 20″ by 28″! Now it won’t fit in the frame I bought from you!”
Me: “Do you have the puzzle all put together?”
Lady: “No, not yet.”
Me: “…then how did you measure it?”
Lady: “I measured the edges!”
Me: “Are there any pieces with flat sides left?”
Lady: “Yes, but they don’t fit.”
Me: “Hmm, I see….”
(I spend the next fifteen minutes trying to explain to the customer that all of the flat pieces belong on the edges of the puzzle, without offending her or snickering.)