I've worked in retail before. It's not easy. It's not easy displaying items to catch people's attention. It's not easy coaxing people to buy $100 jeans. It's not easy 'deceiving' people. Although to Johnny Bosworth (Terkel, 224), "I don't enjoy taking advantage of people" (226). Instead, he puts himself in his customer's shoes (225).
Deceiving is a harsh word. It's almost like lying. Well, truthfully, it is considered lying. But when the customer is willing to spend money, then why not give them the best?
I've been to several car dealerships at one time. My dad was considering getting me a new car, but all I wanted was one that worked. Well, being a psychology major, I was very alert and attentive to the behavior and words of the dealer. I was fascinated by their friendliness and yet they asked us questions that really they didn't need to know. For example, they would ask us what kind of cars we've used and are using. With this information, I found that they would make comparisons to their type of car and made themselves look good. Not surprising. But it is easy to get fooled.
Deceiving others is a harsh act. According to the narrator in the short story "Edison, New Jersey" (Ford, 151), he mentions, "I've been caught roaming around plenty of times but you'd be surprised how quickly someone believes you're looking for the bathroom if you don't jump when you're discovered, if you just say, Hi" (153). In order words, he and his counterpart, Wayne, looted houses that didn't tip them. Is that how business runs nowadays? If so, how we can trust anyone who sells us things?
I appreciated reading this story because the character is Latino. I recognized the Spanish words even though they were swear words. This is the first time I've read a short story done by a Latino author that incorporated a Latino character and/or language and how they have blended into society whether good or bad.
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