(I’m working the overnight shift and a man calls from Oklahoma to order some uniform shirts.)

Me: “It will just take a few minutes for the computer to process your order. It doesn’t always go through, so I would appreciate you staying on the line until I get confirmation.”

Customer: “I’m really glad you’re there to put this order in for me. I need those shirts as soon as possible, but I was worried it would be going to a machine by 10 PM.”

Me: “Yes, there’s always someone in the office. It’s actually 11 PM here.”

Customer: “Oh, so y’all are on the west coast?”

Me: “No, we’re located in Colorado. I think it’s 10 PM on the west coast.”

Customer: “What are you talking about? Colorado has the same time as we do here!”

Me: “I believe that Oklahoma is in the Central time zone, sir. Colorado is on Mountain time, which is an hour behind Central.”

Customer: “There’s no such thing as Mountain time!”

Me: “Sir, having lived here all my life, I can assure you that there is. The Mountain time zone covers several states in the U.S.”

Customer: “No! There’s Eastern time, Central time, and Pacific time!”

Me: “Yes, there are all of those, but there’s also Mountain time. The United States covers four time zones. Between your state and Nevada is the Mountain time zone.”

Customer: “You’re not fooling?

Me: “Not fooling. There is definitely a Mountain time zone, and I live in it.”

Customer: “Well, I never heard of Mountain time!”

Me: “Right. Well, all I can tell you is that it’s been that way as long as I can remember, but I’m only 22. Your order is complete, sir. Have a nice night.”