I used to work at the front desk of a gym. It was a super basic and cheap gym, focusing on having the machines but none of the fancier facilities that more expensive gyms have.

A man came in, looked around, and walked up to me.

Customer: “How much is a membership?”

Me: “$40 a month.”

Customer: “And how much if I just come once?”

Me: “We do a day pass for $12.”

Customer: “So if I came once a week, that’d be $50 a month.”

Me: “…Yes. Just a little more than the membership.”

Customer: “But with the day pass, I’m not locked in.”

Me: “That’s true.”

Customer: “I’ll do the day pass.”

Me: “Sure. Do you want to take a look around first?”

Customer: “I’ve been meaning to join a gym for a while, actually.”

Me: “Well, we’re here.”

Customer: “What’s the pool like?”

Me: “We don’t have a pool.”

Customer: “Sauna?”

Me: “No sauna.”

Customer: “Hot tub?”

Me: “We have treadmills, free weights, and machines.”

Customer: “Hmm.” *long pause* “Do you think I’ll use it?”

Me: “Sir, I’ve known you for ninety seconds.”

Customer: “Yeah, but you’ve seen a lot of people join.”

Me: “I have.”

Customer: “And?”

Me: “And I think the people who ask me whether they’ll use it are conducting research they already have the answer to.”

He took the day pass. I did not see him again.