My favorite customer, Marlene, first appeared at 10 a.m. on a Saturday. A youthful, 50-something firecracker in mom jeans, she marched in and scanned the shelves. “I have three sons and a husband. I need a vibrator that is completely silent. Do you hear me? Com-plete-ly si-lent.” She looked at me expectantly.

We buzzed around the store, switching 20 vibrators on and off until we found an ugly but quiet plug-in model. She raised her eyebrows. I assured her that aesthetics are not essential to payoff. I revved the motor from behind the storage-closet door. She didn’t hear a peep. When I emerged, she hugged me. “Your mother must be so proud of you,” she enthused. 

Fascinating and oddly touching article, though I would quibble with it being titled ‘confessions’, as there really isn’t anything to be ashamed or even embarrassed about.  This is a job I would quite like to work for a few months, just for the experience and stories.

Original here.

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