That Son Has More Than A Wall To Climb
I’m working at the desk at a climbing gym. A mother comes over with two boys (one her son) and starts talking to me in an admonishing tone.
Customer: “Hi, yeah, I need to speak to someone about the wall.”
Me: “Sure! Is there a problem?”
Customer: “My son couldn’t get to the top of the advanced wall. I want to know why you let kids on it if they can’t finish it.”
Me: “Well, it’s an advanced route. Most adults can’t finish it either.”
Customer: “Then what’s the point of it? He was embarrassed in front of his friend! You should’ve warned us.”
Customer’s Son: “Mooom! The only embarrassing thing here is you!”
Customer: *To her son.* “Be quiet. I paid for you to climb the wall, and I expect to get what I paid for!” *To me.* “So, what are you going to do about this?”
Me: “Was he unsafe?”
Customer: “No! But he couldn’t win.”
Me: “Ah. Well, the wall’s not there to be won. It’s there to be earned.”
Customer: *Blinks at me.* “Ugh, I should have known this place was full of fortune-cookie liberal nonsense!”
She then huffed out, the two boys sadly trailing behind her.
