There’s a definite pattern to the people at Home Depot that I noticed over the years because I used to go a lot at all hours to a 24h one.
At 6am you have the pros. The guys who are working a job in the area and need supplies for the day.
Around 9am, the DIYers show up, all bright eyed and bushy tailed, determined to replace that water heater themselves.
At 10:30, the same people are back to buy a different plumbing fitting. They’ve got it this time, though.
At noon, you see those same people again- still enthusiastic, but a little disillusioned. This time they’re buying five of every plumbing fitting so they don’t have to come back.
At 4pm, the same people again, now staring at the plumbing aisle in bewilderment.
At 9pm, the same people again, and they look like they’ve been to war. Cold, wet, dirty, tired, and no longer understanding why anything in the world is the way it is.
At midnight, you get the hardcore. Nobody is gonna tell them when to call a plumber, goddammit.
At 2am, you get the people with nothing left to lose. Don’t talk to them. Back away slowly, making no sudden movements.
