The Art Of Knowing When To Shut Up

It is the early 2000s, and I am working at a customer service point in a store for a large retailer. Two customers approach the counter wanting to return a CD. Our return policy states that as long as a CD has been taken out of its cellophane wrapper, we can’t return it unless it’s faulty, in which case we exchange it for the same title. This is done to counter the effects of unlicensed copying.

These two customers approach the counter, hand the CD case and the receipt to me, and begin talking to each other whilst expecting me to give them their money back. I open the case and find that there is no CD.

Me: “Sorry, ma’am, but there’s no CD in here.”

I am about to mention the policy when one customer suddenly snaps at her other half.

Customer: “You idiot, you left it in the PC when you were copying it!”

I hand back their item and log their receipt.

Me: “Thank you for shopping at [Retailer]. Bye-bye now!”