Excuse me, Sir?

02Dec09

I often get mistaken for many different things; today was no different.

I was out at lunchtime going down to the local Co-op to pick up some food as we had none in the house and I was starving. There was a woman outside it stopping people doing Market Research. I managed to swerve and avoid her on my way in. Did my shopping and left.

I wasn’t so lucky on my way out and she managed to stop me. Normally I preempt researchers and tell them I don’t have the time or that I have no interest in what they are asking. Today was no different; I really didn’t have the time and their topic for research had no relevance to me.

But, as I said she managed to stop me. I tried to tell her I had to get back to work (leaving out the tiny detail that I work from home). “I’m doing research around the area regarding the amount of people who are unemployed for one reason or another. Mainly relating to the recession for a project. Can you tell me if you are currently looking for a job?”

At this point I was quite taken-a-back which caused me to stutter more than I usually do. “Ummm, no, I have a job… The way you phrased that means you think I don’t have one, what made you ask me?” “Oh. I’m sorry. You just struck me as someone who was unemployed because of how you look and you’re out shopping at this time of day…” I kind of glared at her for a few seconds then explained that I do in fact, despite my appearance, have a job and that I was on my lunch break getting something to eat. She apologised for holding me up and trotted off down the street.

I should point out that I was wearing a baseball cap, jeans and had a little bit of stubble… I guess it would look like I was unemployed… The whole encounter threw me off balance though!

A very peculiar occurrence indeed.

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