The Science Is Not Sound

(I work in an electronics store. One day I see a man looking at small Bluetooth speakers, so I go to see if he needs help.)

Me: “Is there anything I can help you with today, sir?”

Customer: “Yes, I’m looking for a noise-canceling speaker.”

(I’m confused, so I ask him to clarify.)

Me: “What exactly do you mean by noise-canceling?”

Customer: “You know a speaker that drowns the noise out around you, but as small as these.”

(He points at very small Bluetooth speakers.)

Me: “Oh, you mean noise-canceling headphones.”

Customer: “No, I mean a noise-canceling speaker, so that when I’m listening to music I don’t hear anything.”

Me: “That type of technology does not exist.”

Customer: “No, it does. I’ve seen it before.”

Me: “Sir, it is physically impossible for a speaker this size to drown out all the sound around you.”

Customer: “You obviously don’t know what you’re talking about. You need to find a new job.”

(At this point I just walked away.)