the cutting edge

Over the weekend, I went to the sporting goods section of my local Walmart to buy a sturdy, sharp knife in order to carve a set of bamboo pens for my third graders to use. An employee was helping a young man (with an adorable baby wearing a bear-shaped hat) who was trying to return some sort of car GPS system, so I waited by the glass knife case, looking at the different options.

A manager was also behind the counter, and after a few moments he looked up at me and said "ok, do you need some keys made or something?"

When I explained what I was looking for, he was very friendly and helpful, but it is frustrating to me that the first question he asked to a customer wasn't "can I help you?" or even "I notice you have your hands on the knife case, were you interested in buying a knife?" but was "ok, do you need some keys made or something?"

I am curious to know what it is about me that makes it seem so improbable that I would be interested in buying or using tools.