The Great District of Confusion
(I am a student working in the on-campus bookstore. A customer comes in and approaches me.)
Me: “Hi, can I help you?”
Customer: “Yes, I need a map of Washington.”
Me: “Washington state or Washington, D.C.?”
Customer: “What do you mean?”
Me: “Do you need a map for Washington state or Washington, D.C.?”
Customer: *confused* “What’s the difference, and what do you mean by D.C.?”
Me: “Well, one is a state above Oregon on the West Coast, and the other—Washington, D.C.—is an area on the East Coast. ‘D.C.’ stands for District of Columbia.”
Customer: “No, not in Colombia! In America!”
Me: “Ma’am, Washington, D.C. is in America. That is what it is called.”
Customer: “I don’t think you know what you’re talking about. I just need a map of Washington for my political science class.”
Me: “Ah, then I’ll get you a map of Washington, D.C.”
Customer: “I think you’re wrong. I am going to tell my professor you guys are giving out maps of Colombia!” *walks away looking very annoyed*
