The conversation went something like this:

Man (in suit with strange tie and slicked back hair): I need a black mascara – LANCÔME, non-lengthening.

Me: Okay, let me see what I can do (flipping out because I don’t know where half of my own products are in Clinique, let alone LANCÔME). And the LANCÔME rep was off for the night.

Man: Well, I have to run over to grab something else, so I will be back in a minute.

Me: Frantically looking for something in the LANCÔME line that does NOT lengthen. Found it. But darn, it’s black-brown, not just plain black. Run upstairs to stock and grab a black mascara for dear man with strange tie.

Man: Oh, yes, that’s the one.

Me: Did ‘she’ need anything else (man was wearing wedding ring)?

Man: Oh, you think this is for my wife; it’s for me (joking tone). I do treat people with that ‘disorder’ though…I’m a psychiatrist.

Me: Well, that’s perfectly fine too (rephrase to “Do you need anything else?”)

Man: Nope; she’s got me trained. I bet you have trained your husband well too, haven’t you? I will go out and get my wife anything she wants. It’s easier that way. (and here’s the kicker) You know, A TRAINED HUSBAND IS SORTA LIKE A FORM OF RETARDATION. I’M KIND OF RETARDED LIKE THAT, YOU KNOW. PERHAPS I NEED SOME TREATMENT.

Me: (stunned that this was coming from a doctor) Oh, like Down syndrome, that type of mental retardation?

Man: (knew that he had hit a cord) Um?

Me: My son has Down syndrome. He’s two. I prefer to use other terms when referring to a delay in cognition.

Man: Well, I’m sorry for that – I was only joking. I’d better get home with the mascara for my wife.

The man was the heck out of there quicker than I could turn around to ask him if he needed a flipping receipt.

I have to say that this ruined my entire night. This man was a professional. A professional who treats people with mental disorders. He ought to be ashamed. I suppose I can “almost” tolerate it when it comes from someone who doesn’t think before saying it (although I generally correct people in that instance as well). But, a psychiatrist?

“The customer is always right.” NOT ALWAYS!

I’m going to go and get myself fired. Do I care?