This Teacher Will Keep You On Your Toes

(I’m 19, and look fairly younger than that. I teach at a dance studio. I’m standing at the receptionist’s desk when a woman walks in.)

Customer: “Hi, I missed registration yesterday and I need to register my daughter for a beginning ballet class.”

Coworker: “Okay, you actually lucked out, we have a space open in [Other Coworker]’s class.”

Customer: “Yeah, but I really want her in [My Name]’s class. Can you arrange that?”

Coworker: “Well, okay. Let me…”

Customer: “Hang on.” *turns to me* “Sweetie, what are you doing here? It’s incredibly rude to eavesdrop.”

Me: “Well, I–”

Customer: “Where are your parents? And why didn’t they teach you any manners? You think you can just stand here, eating up this lady’s time. I have a job! I have better things to do than watch you listen to me!”

Me: “Hi, I’m actually [My Name]. You wanted to get into my class?”