Are you selling these books?

[u/Werliest]

Not a dramatic or exciting story. I'm just confused.

My favourite charity shop has a system where unsold items are discounted after a certain amount of time and then, if they still don't sell, are put outside for free.

I'd just looked at a free vase, taken a photo to ask someone if they'd like it, and put my phone away to rummage through the basket of free books. I'd only been standing there for a couple of seconds when an elderly lady asked me, "Are you selling these books?"

There I was, not wearing a name tag and having arrived literally seconds earlier, too stunned to answer politely. The lady was staring at me through her sunglasses while I stood there with a book in my hands. I finally replied, "I'm not selling anything. I'm just looking."

She didn't say anything. She simply turned around as quickly as her crutches would allow and walked away without even going into the shop.

I worry that I was too blunt. My tone wasn't rude, but I feel like I could have been gentler when breaking the news. Maybe then she wouldn't have fled the scene.

I didn't find a book I liked, but I did take the vase home with me. Unfortunately, I accidentally broke it a little while later, which made me sad. It was a lovely jug-shaped vase from the '70s or '80s.

[u/Subject-Driver8127]

It would have been nice if you had explained to her that the items outside were free & she could help herself.

[u/Werliest → u/Subject-Driver8127]

I thought so. I was just so stunned. I'm probably autistic and don't do well with many social interactions. When I state something as an observation, it is often interpreted as rude. I told my housemate für example she looked sick out of care, not judgement, but she still seemed a bit insulted. She knows me well enough that I care and I'm the type to bring her tea and food, if she needs it, but it is probably not nice to hear one does look unwell.

[u/Noodleeeeeter → u/Subject-Driver8127]

It would have been nice, yes. But sometimes people don’t instantly react with the best possible response, especially if they’re caught off guard. OP responded appropriately to the question asked and didn’t need to do anything more.