This article is so funny. The reality is: when patrons don’t know the name of the author, let alone the title, even the mighty search engine of the online bookstore cannot help. I’m not saying browsers at the local bookstores are stupid (because I’m one myself). The truth is: those savvy folks (that means they are readers themselves, but not taking another job) behind information desk actually listen to all the crazy questions and requests and are still able to nail that book about the lady who baked some scones this morning on Today’s Show. A big toast to the indie bookstores. They exist for a very valid reason: to make the lives of readers better. Miss Swan (from MadTV) would be surprised she’s not alone on this one. “Madame, what does the book look like?” “Yeah, yeah, yeah, I will tell you evey-ting. It looks like a book.” “What kind of book?” “It’s blue…”
Filed under: Babble, Madness, Personal, Reading Tagged: | Babble, Bookstore, Humor, Personal
I used to work in a bookstore and people were always looking for a “blue book.” I usually followed up their stupidity with embarrassing questions… “Oh yes, you mean The Anarchist Cookbook? Or Playgirl Confessions? I think it’s blue. What about Anal Pleasure and Health? Oh wait, that’s more black in color than blue. Grey really. Illustrated Guide to Masturbation, perhaps? It’s blue. There’s water on the cover, but it’s still blue. Papa Smurf’s Sluts, maybe? Definitely blue! No? I’m sorry. Those are the only blue books I can think of.
I’m sure your attitude in handling these inquires make your work more bearable and the situation less tedious.
Here, here … we librarians often experience something similar.
Amen! “I know the book is red” was a question I got once. Amazingly enough, she narrowed down the topic after much discussion and we found it!! And it was red!
@morandia: Librarians must have great critical thinking and analytical skills!
I always admire and respect librarians, who are the most patient and kind people.
That is a great article, but I’m afraid I have been guilty of the same crime in the past. It is so annoying when you listen to a great piece on the radio, but don’t have a pen to write down the title. I just have the slight hope that someone else might have been in there before me talking about the same book
The great thing is that some staff are amazing and actually do know which book you are talking about!
I used to have the same problem when I don’t have time to write down name of the song or the artist. Books sometimes pose the same problem when I listen to NPR. I am so grateful for staff at my local bookstores. They are very knowledgeable on books.
My SO works at one of the big bookstores and he comes home nearly every day with another example of customers who just don’t have a clue. Titles such as “Clan of the Care Bears” have a place on the employees’ wall of shame. I think my favourite is a toss-up between the guy who wanted a book for someone who didn’t really like to read or the person who insisted that Henry V was pronounced Henry Vee. *facepalm*
LOL. I once heard a man saying to the bookstore clerk: I heard about this book that has to do with a mystery and I don’t know the author or title or anything else. Last week I overheard someone referring biographies as “religious stuffs.”
Another fav of mine was people looking for the nonfiction section.
Umm….do you see fiction over there?
Yes.
Nonfiction is the rest of the store!
This is a great one!
i can’t imagine working in a bookstore and answering all of these stupid questions. I think I would never be at a loss to tell a funny story about what happened at the “office”!
I think these questions might make my day go faster!
Hahaha I bet most people pick option #3 – Buy Oprah Book. Because obviously if Oprah read it, then it must be good!
Her audience sometimes don’t agree, as in One Hundred years of Solitude and Anna Karenina.
ha ha it must be hard to not get annoyed with that kind of customers
I think of it the other way around. Those questions could be a laugh that makes your day go faster.
Matt, you should check out Bookstore Bingo at The Huffington Post – compilations of stupid questions booksellers get. Hilarious! The most recent installment is at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/15/bookstore-bingo-7-crazy-things-heard_n_763241.html
Thanks for the link, that makes my day! I cannot stop laughing all day at work.