Tweet
I work for a large corporation pet store. I won't mention the name of the company, but it rhymes with BLETCO. Now, as some of you may know, we sell African emperor scorpions (harmless) and rose-haired tarantulas (also harmless). Though I've already stated that both of these animals aren't dangerous, that's not to say that a bite or sting isn't unpleasant. It sucks.
Now, about a month ago, a man approached me and stated that he and his son were interested in a tarantula. I followed him to the reptile section (I know tarantulas aren't reptiles, but that's where BLETCO keeps them) and he pointed out which one they liked: a rose-haired tarantula. So I unlocked the cage and picked it up to show them. They studied it, interested. Then the boy's father said, "Do they bite?" I replied, "Rarely. you have to really anger them to make them bite." He said, "What happens if they bite?" Now, I've been bitten by a tarantula before, so I know what happens from experience. "It's about the same as a bee sting," I said. Then I lost all respect for this particular customer. He said, "Can you make it bite you so we can see what it's like?"
At first, I thought he was joking. He wasn't. When I told him I wasn't going to intentionally get bitten by a large arachnid, he asked why. I said, "Would you?"
He replied, "No, but you work here. I'm not going to buy a tarantula unless I know for sure that the bite isn't dangerous." I said, "Sir, I myself have been bitten by a tarantula before. It swells up for a day or so, then it's gone." He replied, "Well, if it's that mild, why don't you make it bite you?" I said, "Sir, I'm sorry, but I simply am not going to make this tarantula bite me just so you can see it." I put the tarantula back in her cage. The man said, "Fine, we'll go someplace else then."
About a week later, one of my coworkers said that a woman tried to get her to do the same thing with a scorpion. I loathe sucky customers, but man, are they amusing!
Now, about a month ago, a man approached me and stated that he and his son were interested in a tarantula. I followed him to the reptile section (I know tarantulas aren't reptiles, but that's where BLETCO keeps them) and he pointed out which one they liked: a rose-haired tarantula. So I unlocked the cage and picked it up to show them. They studied it, interested. Then the boy's father said, "Do they bite?" I replied, "Rarely. you have to really anger them to make them bite." He said, "What happens if they bite?" Now, I've been bitten by a tarantula before, so I know what happens from experience. "It's about the same as a bee sting," I said. Then I lost all respect for this particular customer. He said, "Can you make it bite you so we can see what it's like?"
At first, I thought he was joking. He wasn't. When I told him I wasn't going to intentionally get bitten by a large arachnid, he asked why. I said, "Would you?"
He replied, "No, but you work here. I'm not going to buy a tarantula unless I know for sure that the bite isn't dangerous." I said, "Sir, I myself have been bitten by a tarantula before. It swells up for a day or so, then it's gone." He replied, "Well, if it's that mild, why don't you make it bite you?" I said, "Sir, I'm sorry, but I simply am not going to make this tarantula bite me just so you can see it." I put the tarantula back in her cage. The man said, "Fine, we'll go someplace else then."
About a week later, one of my coworkers said that a woman tried to get her to do the same thing with a scorpion. I loathe sucky customers, but man, are they amusing!
On the other hand, the owner of the store ( a complete @#$$@ - insert various insults here) would probably try and get me to do it too. Anything to make money. Blah.
Comment