What Is This Culturally Monolithic Country Coming To
Me: “Good evening, sir. How may I help you?”
Customer: “I want a good movie.”
Me: “Of course. I recommend Pan’s Labyrinth; it was excellent.”
Coworker: “You are aware that this movie has subtitles.”
Customer: “What the f*** is that?”
Coworker: “The words at the bottom you have to read. It’s in Spanish.”
Customer: “What the f*** is that? We’re in America; we don’t speak Spanish! I want it in American!”
(He storms off and promptly returns with ‘Apocalypto.’)
Me: “Sir, you do know this movie has subtitles, too?”
Customer: “What the f***? What is this country coming to? When did we become another country?! I want a god-d*** American movie! Where are the American movies?”
Me: “The store is full of movies made in America.”
(He walks back up about ten minutes later with ‘Letters From Iwo Jima’ in his hand.)
Customer: “This is the movie by Clint Eastwood, right?”
Coworker: “Yes, it is.”
Me: “And it’s really good, too.”
Customer: “Clint Eastwood is a real American. He knows what I like!”
(I gave a look to my coworker who didn’t say anything that time, and we rented him the movie. Too bad ‘Letters From Iwo Jima’ is all in Japanese with English subtitles.)
This story is part of the Scared-Of-Subtitles roundup!
Read the next Scared-Of-Subtitles roundup story!
Read the Scared-Of-Subtitles roundup!
This story is part of our Japan roundup!
Read the next Japan roundup story!
Read the Japan roundup!
Question of the Week
Tell us your story about a customer who couldn't understand the most simple concept.
