Dear interrupting customer,
The other day at work I was helping a teenaged girl find a couple books she was looking for. She didn’t have a lot of information on the books but since she was nice and understanding, I went the extra mile to try to find what she wanted. See how that works? We give as good as we get.
You, on the other hand, gave crap. I was at the info counter side of the register and the girl was standing a few feet away from me. We were talking a bit and I was typing a bit. I saw you walk up to the desk out of the corner of my eye and so I looked up to make eye contact and give a quick nod to let you know I saw you. Then I asked the other customer if I had gotten the right series. You waited about 12 seconds and paced about in front of the counter the whole time.
Then you came over, closer to the girl I was helping so I know you saw her, and interrupted me. Impatient much?
“Do you have Catcher in the Rye?” You demanded. I said we were currently out but had more on order for the store. You looked shocked and more than a little confused. I tried to tell you I could help you as soon as I was done helping this other customer. I got as far and gesturing toward her and opening my mouth before you interrupted again.
“Well, when will it be in?”
I smiled apologetically at the girl and told you it was on backorder so I didn’t know when we would get more copies. Normally I would offer to order you a copy so you wouldn’t have to keep checking up on our stock. But since you were rude to another, very polite and understanding, customer I didn’t ask if you wanted to special order. Not that I had the chance. You stalked off in a huff, immediately leaving the store. Asshole.
You know, you can read books before the author dies. Don’t be so surprised when a classic is out of stock a week after the author passes way. Reading the Catcher in the Rye isn’t exactly a unique idea right now. Plus, J D Salinger wrote other books as well. I would have shown you those if you had been nice. Or maybe we could have looked in used books to see if a copy was over there. Tens of thousands of people are picking up Catcher in the Rye right now, it looks like you’ll have to wait your turn.
Sincerely,
Kelly
