You Can Snake Around But The Answer Will Be The Same
(I am a ranger at a state park, leading a group of tourists on a short hike and telling them about the park, then an activity that involves digging through swamp muck to find critters that live in the swamps. I have a ball running and participating in this program and find that most people from three to seventy have, as well, though it is geared mostly towards younger kids. Among others, I have with me a family of French-speaking guests: a mother, a seven- or eight-year-old boy, and two teenagers.)
Boy: *in broken English* “You will show me snake?”
Me: “If we see a snake I will point it out! I can definitely tell you what type it is and all about it! Keep on the lookout.”
Boy: “No, you show me snake.”
Me: “I… can’t just make one appear. But we do have a good number of snakes in our park! Hopefully, we will see one today.”
Boy: *points* “Snake. You tell snake?”
Me: “Oh, did you find one already? Awesome! Show me where? I can tell you all about it!”
Mother: *expectantly* “No, he wants you to find him a snake out here, right now. We want to see a snake, now.”
Me: “I… can not just make one appear, I am sorry. They are wild animals that live in this park and come and go as they please.”
Mother: *scoffs, then talks to her family in French, who also all scoff* “This is not a good program for teenagers!”
Me: “Okay? It is geared towards younger kids mostly, though all ages find it enjoyable, I have found. I had an elderly couple having a ball with me yesterday! You might have more fun if you participate in searching?”
(They continued to talk to each other angrily in French and shoot dirty looks my way as I continued on with the rest of my program for the others. Next time I turned to them, they were gone. 10 minutes later we spotted not one, but three snakes!)
This story is part of our Snakes roundup!
Question of the Week
Have you ever met a customer who thought the world revolved around them?
