Oh I'm sorry, did you mean me?! Standing a shop away from you?

[Lulu]

Not especially sucky, just...REALLY irritating, cos manners cost nothing do they and I seem to be seeing more and more of this recently.

So this couple with a toddler come into the shop, it's quiet, so I'm taking a few minutes to catch up on the paperwork at the counter, head down. They go straight for the children's section with the kid in tow, right to the back of the shop.

I'm halfway through working out the weekly totals when I hear this voice getting louder and louder, my head lifts, Idiot boy is standing CLEAR down the other end of the shop floor from me, that's a GOOD 30 feet, shouting,
"I SAID....DO YOU HAVE ANY MR.MEN BOOKS?"

Somehow, I manage to resist the urge to raise a brow tho it damn near killed me, instead, I politely walk to the end of the shop, point out the books in question (approximately 5cm's from his eyeline), and walk BACK to my counter since he seems happy.

Not even a minute later, still standing where I'd left him,
"I SAID...DO YOU HAVE ANY MORE MR.MEN BOOKS OUT THE BACK?"

*sigh* Yes...yes that's right, call me like your dog again, I love it so and it makes me want to help you OH so much more. I politely inform him that everything we have is out, again resisting the urge to point out that since his hand is currently on the shelves attached to the back wall of the building, "out the back" would have to be a magical land somewhat akin to Narnia and only accessible through a mysterious doorway formed of folded copies of Harry Potter.

He looks slightly pouty at this, but apparently decides he'll live, gathers up the kid and the woman he was with and heads for the counter. Half way up the shop, the kid escapes his grasp and proceeds on a rampage of terror (if you're a book) in the art section. Give the idiot his due, he did pick it all back up again...sort've...but at the same time, he was actually informing the child that:
"The nasty lady'll get you if you wreck her shop!"

So now I'm not only your dog, but also apparently one used to terrorize your child into behaving well. Excellent. I love my job on days like this.

[XCashier]

he was actually informing the child that: "The nasty lady'll get you if you wreck her shop!"

He screams at you across the shop, and you're the "nasty" one?!

[Shabo]

I think I would have ignored him until he came up to yell at me. Then he would have a reason to yell!

[Best Made Tacos]

It would have been amusing if you had responded to his shout by shouting back "I'm SORRY...I CAN'T HEAR YOU" and see how long before he took the hint and moved up to the desk. Sorry, not 'how long before' I mean 'if'.
I know, 2 screaming people doesn't make a bookstore look good but geez, some of these people need a taste of their own medicine.

I wonder how long he would have just repeated his yelling if you just stood there and cupped your hand over your ear in a "Say again?" gesture. Probably would have yelled himself hoarse and then tried to complain about how you caused his sore throat!

[Becks]

"The nasty lady'll get you if you wreck her shop!"

The boogeyman has NOTHING on retail workers.

[Hon'ya-chan]

"The nasty lady'll get you if you wreck her shop!"

And I would've replied "This nasty little lady will call the cops on you for harassment and libel!!"

[BookstoreEscapee]

I love how when little kids are around I suddenly become "The Lady" and I'm apparently quite mean...

[AnaKhouri]

I once had a customer whistle at me. Yes, like a border collie. I ignored her. Finally she came up to me.

SC: I was trying to get your attention!
Me: I'm sorry, I didn't hear you speak.
SC: I whistled at you! (you admit this??)
Me: Oh, I thought someone's dog had gotten loose.

I also ignore the customers who come up and hover around like a vulture. If you want my attention, you will speak to me like a human being.

[Pagan]

I had a lady combine two sucks in one. There were a couple of blouses that she wanted to buy, but had to go downstairs for some reason. No prob, hung them on the side of the register (she saw me do this). Well, sometime later she comes back and is all worried that I put her clothing back. Nope, I pulled it from the side of the register, where she saw me put them, remember? And here is what she said to me, "Good girl!" Um, excuse me ma'am, but I am a 37 yr old human goddess and do not possess floppy ears, a wagging tail, or a wet nose! Ugh, what is it with them treating us like dogs? And I don't mean to disparage dogs, I love 'em!

[Aldous]

I woulda pointed to my ear and mouthed "I can't hear well." See just what shade of red he turns. I'm guessing a nice blood-red, since the blood that obviously isn't occupying his brain would come rushing to his face.

[Catwoman2965]

I once had a customer whistle at me. Yes, like a border collie. I ignored her. Finally she came up to me.

SC: I was trying to get your attention!
Me: I'm sorry, I didn't hear you speak.
SC: I whistled at you! (you admit this??)
Me: Oh, I thought someone's dog had gotten loose.

I also ignore the customers who come up and hover around like a vulture. If you want my attention, you will speak to me like a human being.

Oh good answer! What makes people think its ok to treat us like we're pets? That's just plain rude, but you handled it well...I would have loved to have seen her face when you said that, and did she have any response to your comment ?

I hate that too...and if i'm in the middle of something, chances are, i either don't see or hear you, as i am concentrating...so SPEAK! spit it out! Just tell me what you want/need, and I will be happy to oblige, but don't just stand there, as i am NOT a mind reader, and have no clue what you want.....

[air914]

I think I've probably stood near someone and waited for them to notice me - or waited for them to finish their task..... but I probably wouldn't stand there forever and ever - I'd finally pipe up with an "excuse me"..... usually I just wait for them to notice though b/c I figure they are busy.... I guess now I'll say 'excuse me' and THEN wait.....

[Banrion]

If I approach someone who is obviously in the middle of something, I try to wait until they are done with that task before saying Excuse me. I know how hard it is sometimes to finish filling out that one stupid piece of paperwork that should only take about 30 seconds, but ends up taking all day because you get interrupted 170000 times.

[Noelegy]

If you want my attention, you will speak to me like a human being.

A good friend of mine once had a thoroughly obnoxious boyfriend who was a trust fund baby and who acted like it. I seriously don't think this guy had ever worked a day in his life, and he was in his 40s when I knew him, some 10-12 years ago.

The three of us were in a Wal-Mart one evening, and he tried to get the attention of an employee by snapping his fingers at her. "Don't do that," I hissed at him. He looked at me as though I'd grown horns or suddenly begun speaking in Urdu.

[aurelemsrealm]

I just ignore them or give them a dirty look and stand my ground in response when they do this. If you want my attention, you will have to speak up and state what you want in ENGLISH.

If I'm busy with something when you walk in, don't be surprised if I ignore you. I ignore everyone when I'm concentrating, especially those who don't get the point after the first 5 seconds. In fact, I might start thinking out loud or turn away to make my point. You are the customer, not God. Take a number, and wait your turn.

I had a line the other day, and this crochety old fart comes right up beside the customer at the counter and blurts out that his receipt at his pump didn't print. Sure, it's a simple request, but I was already busy with a line of customers. I completely ignore him until my line is down to the point where he walked up. I think other customers in line knew what I was doing because some of them shot him that indignant look as they approached the counter. So, when his turn came up, I asked him what he wanted. He huffed, and told me again. I clearly heard him the first time, but chose not to care. So, I printed his receipt and handed it to him without a word. He made a comment about poor service. I responded that poor manners deserve poor service. The customer behind him started laughing. I don't care about stepping on an SCs toes, and my manager never says a word about it. Like she says, if they don't like the rules here, they can go where they like the rules. We have plenty of good customers willing to do business with us. We're one of the busiest locations in town, so we must be doing something right. My own philosophy is that I give respect where I get respect, and everyone who doesn't want to show respect can go to hell.