Mark and I were in Whole Foods on Saturday. There was a little table set up in the food area where a man (about our age) was offering samples of an acai juice drink. I avoided the invitation for the sample because I noticed how hard-sell he seemed. I wasn't in the mood.
I stood about 6 feet away and watched as Mark listened to the guy's sales pitch.
I also noticed the woman standing next to Mark...also sipping a sample...and seeming more interested in the product than Mark.
"How much is it?" she asked.
She might as well have been invisible. The juice guy kept right on talking to Mark. He hadn't even glanced over at the woman since he handed her the sample.
"How much...?" she started again, but stopped, realizing the futility
Mark noticed her plight and interrupted Mr. Sales to ask the price. He gladly shared the info with Mark, who tossed it to the woman with a nod.
Eventually Mark was finished and as we walked away from the scene the guy was finally acknowledging this woman (now his only customer). He bent at the waist and leaned toward her to listen, the way one does with a child...or a pet...as she asked more questions.
A couple years ago I might not have noticed this dynamic. It's a strange thing to be on the other side. Not that I didn't understand there would be downsides to not being male. Especially male and white. But I guess I'll have to control my urge to trip that man if I ever pass him in the aisles of Whole Foods. I could probably get away with it, though. After all, I am invisible to him.
Thank heavens for boys like Mark.
