What Kind Of Day Have They Been Having?!

I have signed up for an exercise class that is conducted in a martial arts dojo. To protect the floor of the dojo, we are required to wear only shoes that have never been worn outside. I don’t have any shoes like that, so I go to a discount shoe store, since I don’t want to spend a lot of money on shoes I will only be wearing for a few hours per week.

I find a pair I like, try them on, and notice the price on a tag that is inside the box. It is even less than I expected to pay, so I buy them. When the cashier scans the box, a higher price comes up on the register.

Me: “That’s not the right price. There’s a tag inside that shows that they cost [price].”

I show her the tag.

Cashier #1: “I’m sorry about that.” *To [Cashier #2]* “Can you check the price on these shoes?”

Cashier #2: “Sure.”

He walks away and comes back a few minutes later.

Cashier #2: “The price is ringing up correctly. The tag that was in the box doesn’t match this style; it probably just fell off another box. I’m sorry, but these shoes are already on sale so we can’t give you the lower price.”

I am disappointed by this, but I do like the shoes and the higher price is still reasonable.

Me: “Aww, okay, I’ll still get them.”

Cashier #1: “Wait. You aren’t mad?”

Me: “I mean, I’d rather pay the lower price, but if you can’t do that, then…” *Shrugs*

Cashier #2: “Why are you so calm?”

Me: “If I throw a fit, do I get the lower price?”

Cashier #1: “No, sorry, we can’t.”

Me: “Then there doesn’t seem to be a point to getting angry, does there?”

Both cashiers give each other a “WTF?” look, but we complete the transaction. In the meantime, another employee comes over, wearing a “Manager” nametag. [Cashier #2] explains the situation to him. Another “WTF?” look passes among all three employees.

Cashier #2: “She’s too calm.”

I am not telling this story to show off my ability not to throw a tantrum; I am telling it because of the strange reaction of the employees to normal behavior!