Let's start with the most recent.....yes, I have a few of them!
The Bee and I went to the book store to have an over charge fixed from when we were in over the weekend. Since we were there I decided to look around a bit. As I was cruising the fiction section I heard a voice from over my shoulder. I turned around to find a very nice employee of the store smiling at me.
Nice Employee: Hi Mam, can I help you find anything?
Me: No thanks, just looking!
Nice Employee: Just hunt me down if you need anything!
Me: Thanks, I'll do that!
As this brief exchange of words went on I was sizing up "Nice Employee." Now, when we meet people we automatically resister the persons gender. You probably don't realize this until you are faced with uncertainty! At that moment I wasn't sure if I was talking with a man or a woman. So I sized "Nice Employee" up.
"Nice Employee" was wearing casual baggy young men's clothing, was a bit over weight, so there for looked kind of soft, had a buzz cut, was wearing a mans watch, and a was sporting a few earrings. Taking in all those clues and adding them up I decided I was talking to a woman who was a total Tomboy! I soon forgot about the quick "solve that gender" moment and continued shopping.
When the Bee and I finish up we headed to the front of the store to check out. I look up to see that "Nice Employee" was now at the register and waves us over. I set down what I want to purchase and then pull out the receipt from the other day. I explain that they charged us for the third book that was supposed to be free and "Nice Employee" happily agreed to give me a refund. Yeah for me!
As I reach into my purse for my credit card I realize that I had left my wallet in the car. So the Bee and I leave our stuff on the counter and quickly dash out to the car. When I got back a few minutes later, "Nice Employee" was helping another customer, and since I left "NE" with all my stuff I had to wait.
While I am patiently waiting another employee says, "I can help you over here," to which I reply......."Thanks but SHE is already helping me." Just then the other employee's gave a sideways glance towards "NE". Rut-row (actually insert swearing in my head)!
As soon as the words left my lips I wanted to SUCK them back in!!! After all, I had just assumed she was a woman! I was horrified at the thought that I might have just called this nice young man a chick in front of his co-workers.
My heart started pounding, my forehead started to sweat. "NE" on the other hand gave no indication that I had just totally insulted his masculinity. So as I desperately scanned "NE" for any signs of male parts, the phone rings. "NE" picks up the phone and all I can think is oh the luck......"NE" will say his or her name and the mystery will be solved.
Phone rings........"NE" picks up; "Hello, thanks for calling the Book Store this is TAYLOR how can I help you!" SERIOUSLY, couldn't you have a name like Candy or Thor?? Crap crap crap, Taylor is a name that both dudes and chicks use! UGH! I was so embarrassed and I couldn't wait to get out of there.
So I left the store feeling like a total heel and kicking myself for possibly insulting this very nice person. I mean really, what do you do in this situation? I could hardly say, "I'm sorry but can you show me your drivers license, so I can know if I need to feel bad or not." What a total dufus!
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The Rest of the story: I did end up finding out the true gender of the "Nice Employee". He was a she that was working towards becoming a he. So technically speaking, I was right on right on the money.......well, sort of?
Got a Mortifying moment? I know you do......let's hear all about it?
