It's Nice To Be Independent

[Mnemjian]

Don't really know if this is a Brain Burp, per say, but it's not really sucky

Often enough a customer will come in, I'll smile at them and say Hi from behind the counter, and they ignore me... oh well, it happens. Then I watch them as they wander around the store aimlessly, reading the signs on the shelves (btw our store is pretty big, like 4,000 square feet or something). Eventually they come back all frustrated and say something like "I give up! Where is the <section>?" Like we're playing some sort of game. Just ask me your question right away! That is pretty much why I am here. Also to take your money.

It's nice to wander around a bookstore but if you're looking for something specific in any store, it's always easier to just ask an employee right? Especially when there is one right in front of you waiting to help. No need to get upset about it

[Chromatix]

Actually, I tend to find my own way around large stores rather than asking. Only if I need something quickly and it isn't obvious, or if I've looked thoroughly and can't find it, will I ask.

Once I did that in a chain computer shop (which usually have bad reputations in Britain) and was pleasantly surprised when the assistant immediately knew that he *didn't* have what I was looking for, but could suggest somewhere that did.

[Samaliel]

Yeah, of course, when I ask where something is, half of the time, it's obviously right under my nose.
Not so much of a Brain Burp, but more of an Optical Failure. I will usually jokingly state that it's time for me to get another appointment with the optometrist or to purchase some new eyes, along with a bashful apology.

[Kullervo]

If I am going to look around the store I tend to do it before I get what I need.
So I will usually look like I am lost for a good while before I ask where to find something.

[Sparky]

I hate asking for help in bookstores. Partly because I'm afraid the clerk will not share my taste in literature and will think I'm shallow or something, but mostly because the question is "I'm trying to see if there are any more books available by the same author of the book I just read. But I can't remember the author's name. Or the name of the book. I think it was Something Fire of the Something Something or something. It had werewolves in it. And the main character's name was Mariah or Missy or Marjorie or ... no wait! The main character's name was Beulah. Yeah."

I'm not ignoring you, I'm just trying not to embarrass myself.

[Mnemjian]

I hate asking for help in bookstores. Partly because I'm afraid the clerk will not share my taste in literature and will think I'm shallow or something,

Nothing you can read will surprise me I just finished the Twilight series myself and I'm 24. Yes I said that proudly!!

But really, I don't have a problem with people looking around or even ignoring me (well ignoring me is kind of annoying..) But I just hate when people get MAD at me because they couldn't find something by themselves. I would be so happy to help them find what they want rather than have them get mad or frustrated.

[Ironclad Alibi]

Partly because I'm afraid the clerk will not share my taste in literature and will think I'm shallow or something, ...

If they're going to think you're shallow or something for wanting to buy a book they sell, what does it say about them for selling it?

[Mnemjian]

If they're going to think you're shallow or something for wanting to buy a book they sell, what does it say about them for selling it?

QFT Plus any reading is better than no reading at all. If you choose to read a book over watching a rerun of Family Guy you've seen ten times then I'd say you're pretty darn smart! Doesn't matter about what you're reading

Sorry about the

[EricKei]

watching a rerun of Family Guy you've seen ten times

I do love me some Family Guy, but damn...that would make their "jokes that get repeated ad nauseum" even harder to tolerate. Now I've got an image of Peter singing The Bird stuck in my head.

Thanks. Thanks a LOT

B-B-B-Bird bird bird, bird is the word...

[BookstoreEscapee]

I generally try to find stuff on my own, first, but if I can't I don't get all huffy at the people who are there to help me. I don't even mention that I was unsuccessful in finding it, I just ask "Where can I find X?" Life is more pleasant that way, I find. (I have enough stress otherwise without bringing it on myself while shopping.) And it's not their fault I didn't ask in the first place. Unless I just want to get in and out, I'll usually wander a bit in most stores.

I hate asking for help in bookstores. Partly because I'm afraid the clerk will not share my taste in literature and will think I'm shallow or something, but mostly because the question is "I'm trying to see if there are any more books available by the same author of the book I just read. But I can't remember the author's name. Or the name of the book. I think it was Something Fire of the Something Something or something. It had werewolves in it. And the main character's name was Mariah or Missy or Marjorie or ... no wait! The main character's name was Beulah. Yeah."

As much as we complain about "those" customers, a lot of us actually like the challenge . (I've even been successful in the "it's blue" category...) And you'll generally find a wide range of interests among the employees, so you never know what someone might know. And if the person you ask doesn't know, they'll likely know who else in the store might know. You know?

As long as you don't yell at us when we can't figure out your vague descriptors, we're good.