Dirty old man or sleazy shop clerk? YOU DECIDE.

So...a few days ago this 82 year old man came into the store and was shopping for jeans for his 50 year old daughter. Being the retail sales professional that I am, I screamed, 'no person can buy jeans for a woman!!!! it's not possible!!' (ok, i just thought that). We picked out some, but he didn't like them because they looked faded and he threw out the old 'back in my day' line. So, whatever. I thought he was a cute old man for trying.

Today he comes back, still looking for his daughter. He pretty much ruled out the jeans and after looking for a few, he picked up a dress. The dress was a size six and he was wondering if it would fit her....ummm, how am I supposed to know? Men--this is a common problem...either know your lady's (or daughter's in this case) sizes or don't buy clothes. As a good retail sales professional, you have to somehow try to imagine this person and figure out what size they actually are....at all costs you try to avoid saying, 'how is she in comparison to me?' (that sets you up for being looked over and most likely feeling huge afterwards). So, I asked, 'how tall is she?' The man goes, 'well, she's about like you---maybe a little shorter.' Great--no comparisons please. The dress was one that was fitted through the top and not through the bottom, so bottom size didn't matter...so, stupid me asks, 'is she smaller through the top?' Then, he asks a question that I'm not even sure Ross knows the answer to..."what's your bra size?" (ummm...excuse me? I think I immediately crossed my arms and didn't move them for the duration of his time in the store.) What else was I to say...I answered him...why, I have no idea. I can't even remember the conversation seconds after that, but he didn't get the dress.

So, he found some random lady in the store once I started helping someone else and she worked more magic than I and convinced him to buy a logo t-shirt with crystals on it for $120. (way to go lady!) During the check out process, I'm required to ask if they want their items delivered to their room. (we give it to a bellMAN and they deliver it)....anyways, the man didn't quite understand the question. so, a younger man said, "she's asking if she can 'deliver it' to your room.' In a loud voice, the 82 year old man says , 'I've been married for 59 years and I'm not about to screw it up now.' I was completely mortified...stupid job requirements! I'm never asking that question again EVER to a man purchasing anything by himself. I hope I never see that guy ever again. Cute old man, huh? Sicko.