A Retail Story

**Jimmy Carter** · 05 Apr 2003, 12:45 AM

I went to Barnes & Noble today to find a couple of books. As much as I like the store, I can't help but feel out of place there. I drive a Ford sedan, I wear clothes I buy at Target/Wal Mart and I hate coffee or any variation of it. In short, I'm opposite everyone in there.

In any case, I went to find "Seven Pillars of Wisdom" by T.E. Lawrence and "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis. In the end, I couldn't find Pillars so I instead settled on Ronald Reagan's autobio. I was able to find Screwtape, however.

So, I went up to the counter with both books. I handed them to the clerk. Screwtape was on top of the autobio, and being that I bought a hardcover version, it was large enough to hide the other book's title.

She was all bubbly and nice. "Hi, how are you? Did you find everything okay?" Smiley. She took Screwtape and saw the book underneath. I swear to you, I almost started laughing when I saw her face. A big frown came over her and her mood totally changed. She got quiet and cranky.

All this over a book. I mean, it wasn't like I was buying pornagraphy or anything.

Any other stories of such things?

**Regus** · 05 Apr 2003, 12:49 AM

Pardon my ignorance, but what is "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis.

**Jimmy Carter** · 05 Apr 2003, 12:51 AM

It's a book about two demons, or tempters. One is sort of new to the job and his uncle (Screwtape) is helping the younger, newer one with his job.

The younger one has been assigned to a newly converted Christian in hopes of making him perform a U-turn and go back to his old ways. It's a very interesting book if you want to look a bit deeper at human behavior.

**station82o** · 05 Apr 2003, 01:27 AM

I guess she didn't like reagan huh? oh well, whatever.

I work at a bookstore as well - a borders, and I try to ignore whatever it is the customers are buying - the few times I am actually at the registers I ring them up and get them out - no conversation, I don't care for those people and have no interest in their reading material. I try to make both my life and theirs easier by just doing the transaction as quick as possible. I've just come home from a particularly fucked day of work and am pretty partial to any criticisms leveled at employees.

well - just reread your post - there wasn't a criticism per say. I think I just overreacted - retail clerk defensiveness showing. Carry on.

**Captain Vegetable** · 05 Apr 2003, 01:48 AM

Originally posted by Jimmy Carter
It's a book about two demons, or tempters. One is sort of new to the job and his uncle (Screwtape) is helping the younger, newer one with his job.

The uncle's name is Wormwood. The nephew's name is Screwtape.

**adol** · 05 Apr 2003, 02:36 AM

I always get funny looks from the clerks at 7-11 when I buy a hot dog with the word "COCK" or "FUCK" written on it in mustard. I wonder why?

**Aurora** · 05 Apr 2003, 03:27 AM

Originally posted by adol
I always get funny looks from the clerks at 7-11 when I buy a hot dog with the word "COCK" or "FUCK" written on it in mustard. I wonder why?

Haha! You're awesome!

**Clash!** · 05 Apr 2003, 03:31 AM

I hate it when I buy a movie/game thats not exactly well known and get the whole, "Never heard of that one! Looks weird." Its fine if you don't know what it is but why make it out as if I am buying something outlandish? But thats just people, lots of clerks could care less what you are buying.