Conversation I just had with an elderly male patron, in its entirety:
Him: I think I just offended the African American culture.
Me: Oh. Um, well . . . I'm sure the culture will be willing to forgive you.
Him: Perhaps. I often have trouble understanding what we determine to be right and wrong in these modern times.
Me: Hmm. Well, I think a lot of us do.
Him: People dress to express their inner selves. Wearing yellow and gold signifies cowardliness. I will leave you to ponder that thought.
Me (wearing a yellow shirt and goldish-orange cardigan): Thank you. Have a good day.
3 comments:
At least he left you to ponder. Most of those kinds of patrons want to stand there and ponder with you.
Very true! When I was first librarianing, I would probably have made the mistake of asking him how he had offended the African American culture. But I'm wiser now.
The next time you see him, ask him what it means when someone's entire wardrobe comes from Target. My, um...friend...wants to know.
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