Why is the shopkeeper so rude?

Why is the shopkeeper so rude? - A Neon Light Text Signage

In downton abbey when bates goes to the limp corrector, why is the shop keeper so rude to him saying "as I make it and advertise it will I say no?" Is it because there was no customer service back in the day or it was English culture working class attitude. I know England is still not big on customer service as compared to American high streets. Just wanna know if it's a old cultural thing



Best Answer

You didn't get the correct quote; according to the wikia it is:

When Bates asks if it works, he flippantly replies "Well, as I make it and I advertise it, is it likely I'd say no?"

The line is particularly relevant in context:

Mr. Bates: I saw this advertisement for a limp corrector. What does it do exactly?

Salesman: It corrects limps.

Mr. Bates: Does it work?

Salesman: Well, as I make it and I advertise it, is it likely I'd say no?

Whilst that answer may be regarded as rude, I wouldn't be offended by it (if I had been Bates) and would shrug it off as a case of "I had to ask a stupid question, didn't I", especially since it was the second "stupid" question in a row. Moreover, the shopkeeper can afford to be rude because it's not like Bates has got an alternative.




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