I work the front desk at a climbing gym, herein referred to as “Ace Rock Climbing”. Some fun tales of customer shenanigans:
Across the parking lot is a trampoline gym I’ll refer to as “Sky High.” A group of young women came in to Ace Climbing and inquired about climbing. After mentioning prices and waivers, I asked if any of them were under 18. One said yes, so I explained that she would have to have her legal guardian complete the waiver online.
Her: “We already signed waivers at Sky High.”
Me: “This isn’t Sky High. This is Ace Climbing.”
Her, confused: “But we were just at Sky High, and we did our waivers there.”
Me: “Ma’am, there is no connection between Sky High and Ace Climbing. We’re two totally different companies with two different waivers.”
Her, frustrated: “But our parents gave us permission to come.”
Me: “I understand that, but any minor who climbs here has to have a waiver filled out by a parent or legal guardian.”
Sister: “I’m over 18. Can I just sign for her?”
Me: “No, it needs to be the person’s parent or legal guardian.”
Sister, confused: “But I’m over 18.”
And on it went.
Guy comes over, begins speech without any introduction: “Here’s an idea for you, instead of having hard problems and tricky stuff, you should just have everything be really steep and have really good holds that you can just grab onto, so it’s like this.”
Guy begins imitating how one would ascend a ladder."
Me: "I – "
Guy, interrupting: “You know, because if I want tricky stuff, I’ll just go outside, you know? To me, this is just a gym, like a gym where you would go to get stronger, you know? It’s a gym, like a training gym.”
Me: “Well, some people --”
Guy, interrupting: “I already know how to climb really well, so when I go a gym, I just want to get in shape, you know? Like I’m going to a gym. Everything should just be steep with good handholds, you know? Just something to think about.”
Me: “We do have climbs like that.” points across the gym
Guy: “I know, but everything should be like that.”
Me: “Erm, well, I can put you in touch with our head routesetter, if you’d like.”
Guy, no longer listening: “Just something to think about.”
Guy walks away.
I turn to see boss lady is silently cracking up in the office. I just shake my head.
I finish ringing up a woman for a day pass.
Me: “So head on in through that door, meet me at the back window, and I’ll get you geared up.”
Woman, staring ominously at rental shoes: “Do we have to wear those shoes?”
Me: “Yup, no street shoes allowed on the climbing floor.”
Woman, still reasonably pleasant: “Can I go get socks from my car?”
Me: "Sure, go for it. Also, we do spray our shoes with – "
Woman, interrupting, suddenly exasperated: “I really don’t care about that. Can I go get my socks?”
Me: “Um… yes.”
???
