A young lad is being trained in a big 'sell everything' hardware store.
The assistant in charge of training tells the lad, "There are only two things you need to know....Always be polite to the customer and always push a sale."
He demonstrates with the next customer to come to their counter.
"Good morning Sir", said the assistant, "How may I help you today?"
The customer replied, "Hello, I'd like some fertilizer please."
"Certainly Sir", the assistant beamed, "As a matter of fact it just so happens we have a special deal on fertilizer at the moment....buy two bags and get £50 off the price of a lawnmower."
"A lawnmower?", quizzed the customer, "Why would I want a lawn mower?"
"Well", said the assistant, "This fertilizer is so good your lawn will be up to your knees by next week and you'll be back to buy a lawnmower.....I couldn't guarantee we'd have the special deal next week though.", pushed the assistant.
"Good point", agreed the customer, "OK, two bags of fertilizer and a lawnmower then please", the customer said feeling he'd just got the bargain of the century.
As the customer walked away the assistant turns to the young lad and says, "There you go, always be polite to the customer and always push a sale.....you try with the next customer."
Sure enough when the next customer arrived the young lad sprang into action...
"Good morning Sir....how can I help you today?", he was almost word perfect.
"Yes, I'd like some sanitary towels please", said the customer.
"Certain Sir....as it happens we have a special deal on at the moment, buy two boxes and get £50 off the price of a lawnmower!", the young lad said eagerly.
"A lawnmower?", exclaimed the customer, "Why would I want a lawnmower?"
"Well", said the lad, "Your weekend's buggered so you may as well mow the lawn!"