I used to work in a store that specialised in clothing/footwear/equipment for outdoor pursuits such as hiking and skiing.
I’m very good at customer service, and my favourite customers were the ones who were shopping for technical clothing for the first time; I liked having a chat with them and making sure that they got the correct things to make their trip as comfortable as possible.
I have always been known as being very good at customer service. Friendly, knowledgeable, and respectful. This is the story of when I almost went very, very wrong.
A couple of late teen girls in Hijabs come in and start looking around, so I approach them and get chatting.
Me: “Hey ladies! Are you shopping for something in particular today?”
Customers: “Oh, yes, we’re going on a trip to hike up Snowdon, so we probably need some waterproofs and boots.”
One of them picks up a pair of white snow pants (trousers) from a sale rack next to us and holds them up.
Customers: “I like these! They’re really nice and they feel like they would be waterproof.”
Me: “Um, yes… but they’re also designed for snow, so they will make you very warm. For your trip, you’ll want maybe two light layers for warmth, because then you can remove a layer if you get too warm. If this is your only layer, then you won’t be able to do that. A Hijab and no pants give very mixed messages…”
Suddenly I think: “Uh oh. Did I just say that out loud?”
Customers: “…”
Me: “…”
The customers burst out laughing and put the pants back.
They take on some of my recommendations and then come to the till, where it turns out that they know one of my sales assistants and regale them with my hilarious joke.
I have never been more relieved at a well-received joke!