I work in a discount store that sells a little bit of everything, clothes, toys, books, some basic tech, etc. A mother and her young daughter are checking out with me and it’s apparent that the daughter is making a purchase using her allowance.
Mom: “What are you getting with your money?”
Daughter: “This!”
She places an age-appropriate adventure book on the belt. It’s only $2.
Mother: “Ugh! Another book! Seriously, what’s the point of reading a book you’re not going to be tested on?”
For some reason, the mom saying this plus the face the daughter makes upon hearing it spurs me into action before I can think about it.
Me: *To the daughter.* “Oh, children’s books are buy one, get one free! You should go get another book!”
Daughter: *Huge smile.* “Really?”
Me: “Really!”
She runs back toward the book section before her mother can stop her.
Mother: “That child will read and read and read! I don’t know where she gets it from!”
I ignore her as I ring out the rest of the items. The daughter comes back with another book, this one priced at $4, and I press some “magic buttons” to put both through for just $2.
Me: “There you go! Enjoy your books! You know, the books are always on special so make sure you find me when you come back and I’ll make sure you get the best deal!”
Daughter: “Thank you so much! I will!”
She left very happy, and I made sure to put $4 into my drawer before signing out so that everything was squared away. That girl came back a few more times and, wouldn’t you know it, each time there was a buy-one-get-one-free on kid’s books when she was there! Uncanny!
