Good evening folks.
I have a language question.
June and I was just at Kohl's, and I was looking for soles to put inside the shoes. And could not find it. So, I asked a lady there that was wiping up some dust, "Excuse me, do you guys have soles, (and then I realized she might be only a cleaning person so I continued the question without stopping) or are you just cleaning here". The answer came rather quick when I had finished my question. "No" was the answer.
I did not get very wise from her answer, so when we came out I asked June, is it uncommon to ask a question the way I did, with an "or" in between ? Because I have had this happen to me before that I asked an either or question and get a no or a yes back which obviously does not make much sense. June then says, yes, we do not like questions like that, we want a question where we can answer only yes, or no. And that's it.
In fact, the first thing June said, "you set her up". What ?????
So, I am quite puzzled. She has earlier told me that people in stores here does not like to be asked questions and dislike having to help people. And, I have seen that maybe especially at Home Depot. It is almost impossible for me to get help there. The staff do whatever they can not to have to walk by me, and the more and more I walk around trying to find a thing, and they obviously see that I am looking, and the more and more people disappear. It is quite frustrating. I am not used to such behavior.
And, when she goes to a store she walk around until she find it or give up and go to a different store, rather than ask anyone for help. And it is like that no matter what store it is.
So, now I wonder if this is a universal United States thing, or a California thing, or even more local, limited to around here ?
Bill