Safety Pins... is it that diffiicult?

I stopped by target to run a quick errand this morning.  I just needed safety pins.

hahahaha ya right... like I could ever go to target and leave with only safety pins.  

Anyway, after walking enough aisles for it to be considered my morning exercise,

I finally decided to just ask an employee so the errand could still be considered "quick."

Me:"Hi, I was wondering if you might know where the safety pins are?"

Target lady: Blank stare. "Um, uh, I don't, um, no english, sorry sorry."

I double checked to make sure that she was wearing a target tag and her khakis and red shirt 

just in case I had lost my head and happened to ask a random customer.
hahhaha ya right...like I could ever lose my head, not me.

Me, in super ultra nice mode: "Oh sorry, Its ok, thanks."

I am still wondering why I said sorry and thanks? 

Edna: "Something in spanish with a nice smile."

I was in a hurry and was probably going to be late

but I was more bothered by how someone could get a job, in customer service, 

in AMERICA, 

without knowing how to speak even a little english. 

but were moving on and were smiling people, smiling.

located another target lady... 

Me:"Hi, I was wondering if you might know where the safety pins are?"

  Target Lady: "Pens? Pens right here." as she pointed to all the writing utensils on the next aisle over.

Me:"No, not a pen to write with,  a safety pin."

Target Lady: Blank stare.

Me: "S a f e t y  pIns. You know...

(imagine me here using my hands to make the shape of a safety pin)

the sharp pointy kind...

Blank stare.

silver... 

with a clippy thingy on the end?"

I know, but you should try describing a safety pin.

Target Lady, while staring at the pens hanging on the wall with a sort of look-of-longing on her face as if hoping the pens could talk, said "That kind, um, pen, um don't know, these... all we have."

Right about then, 

I began rethinking my earlier consideration that just a little english would be helpful,

AND no.  

It's not.

UHG.

Really? Safety Pins. Is it that difficult?