Their Vegan Knowledge Is A Bit Sloppy, Part 2
Me: “Excuse me, do you sell any vegan cosmetics or toiletries?”
Employee #1: “Any what?”
Me: “Vegan products?”
Employee #1: “Um… I’ll go and ask.”
She approaches [Employee #2] and [Employee #3], unaware that I’ve followed her.
Employee #1: “This lady wants to know if we sell vee-gen stuff?”
Employee #2: “What’s vegan?”
Employee #3: “Isn’t it where you don’t eat animals and fish and stuff?”
Employee #1: “I have no idea. I didn’t know what she was talking about.”
Me: “I was talking about vegan-approved toiletries and cosmetics. I’ve been given a voucher for Christmas and I don’t buy anything animal-tested.”
Employee #1: “Well, you could have said you just wanted non-animal-tested products; we have No7 products right here and they’ve not tested for twenty years now.”
Me: “And none of their ingredients are tested, either?”
Employee #3: *Raises eyebrows* “I’m sorry, but do you even know what veganism is?”
Me: “Yes. Do you?”
Employee #3: *Complacently* “It’s when you don’t consume animals, fish, or dairy. This isn’t a grocery store, so I don’t know where cosmetics and toiletries even come into this.”
Me: “Actually, veganism is a lifestyle choice that involves not exploiting animals in any way. This means you don’t eat them, eat anything derived from them, use them for entertainment, wear them, or use anything that’s been tested on them.”
Employee #2: *Nervously* “Oh… okay.”
Employee #3: “Okay, then. Tell me, where does one buy these ‘vegan’ products? What brands can you name that are ‘vegan’?”
Employee #2: *Genuinely* “Yes, what brands are vegan?”
Me: “Have you ever heard of the leaping bunny?”
The employees stay silent.
Me: “What about PETA?”
The employees stay silent again.
Me: *Sigh* “Well, anything with a picture of a little white bunny leaping in the air means it’s vegan, but in terms of actual brands: Lush, Beauty Without Cruelty, JĀSÖN Natural, etc.”
Employee #2: “I’m so sorry, but I don’t think we do any of that here.”
Employee #3: “I’ll give you Lush, but I’ve never even heard of the other two!”
Me: “Well, it’s what I normally buy, so…”
Employee #3: “Look, we do cosmetics that haven’t been tested on animals, but they still contain… like… animal fat or whatever it is.” *Laughs*
Me: “Forget it. I’ll spend my voucher on nuts and fruit.”
Question of the Week
Tell us your story about a customer who couldn't understand the most simple concept.
