Overheard on Campus: Helpful Parent Edition

Today was a loooooooong day. I had to work at an open house for prospective students, where I and representatives of other student services offices and associations talked to students and their parents about the possibilities available (like study abroad) if they choose to come here. I really do enjoy talking to students and parents, but I slept poorly last night and the eight AM start was just not what I wanted to do on a Saturday. The event was five long, drawn-out hours long and for the last half it took every shred of willpower to keep myself from laying my head down on the table and taking a nap.

My table was right next to the table for the LGBTA center (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender alliance), staffed by a friendly undergrad named Roberto. I felt bad for him, because while my table got lots of traffic, most people tended to speed past his table once they realized what it was for. However, a few people stopped with a question or two. At one point, a father approached Roberto as if to talk in detail about something. Initially, I thought it was great that a dad was showing some genuine interest. Then I heard him ask his question:

My son is interested in musical theater. Can you tell me where on campus I would find that department?

Roberto and I had a good laugh over that. He wasn't quite sure whether to be amused, offended, or perhaps just a little sheepish: after all, in fact, he knew exactly where to find the department, and the name of the department head.