ME: Hi, how are you.
CRUSTY: I’M ONLY LOOKING!
(I know you’re only looking but I’m only being polite, please be polite back)
* * *
ME: Hi, how are you?
CRUSTY: (doesn’t even acknowledge my existence)
* * *
(This happens all the time when I’ve been super nice to a crusty that comes in needing some random book desperately and they need it NOW. I’ve looked everywhere, called other stores, checked online sites and even called publishers)
ME: I’m afraid it seems that we don’t have it at the moment at this location but you can try to.......
CRUSTY: (interrupts me) Oh, don’t worry about it, I’m not in that much of a hurry.
(Could have fooled me, WTF?!?!?!?)
* * * 
(There used to be a restaurant on the level above that closed recently so this has happened at least 5 times a shift)
I’m in the middle of serving someone else when somebody yells at me from the door.
CRUSTY: Is the restaurant up stairs really closed??
(No, we’re just kidding, GOT YA........ The elevator is not only not active there are two racks of postcards and books in front of it, same goes for every staircase in the building)
ME: (I have to be rude to the customer I’m already serving and deal with the yeller) Yes, it moved to *other location*
CRUSTY: Where is that?
(Seriously, I’m helping someone else, be polite and wait for fu***** 5 seconds)
ME: It’s next door to *well known local place*
CRUSTY: Where is that?
ME: Do you know where *bar* used to be?
CRUSTY: Yeah
ME: It’s there.
CRUSTY: (walks away without saying thank you or anything)(or says, I’m sorry I’m from out of town)
* * *
There is a Tourist information centre on the second floor in the summer but the sign hangs on the house all year. So when tourists come in and ask for the tourist centre and get mad at me for deceiving them. I don’t own the store, I want the sign down but it’s not my decision. I get really tired of telling people where to eat dinner or lunch or giving directions to sights around the city.
* * *
CRUSTY: Hi, I’m looking for a book written by some guy.....
(No shit Sherlock, this is a bookstore could you narrow it down a bit??)
ME: Ok, do you have the title of the book or the authors’ name?
CRUSTY: No, can’t you look it up in your computer.
ME: not without a title or authors’ name. Do you know if it’s new and what genre it’s in?
CRUSTY: No, you guys don’t anything!!
(Gets mad at me for not knowing anything and being stupid)
Another version of this is:
CRUSTY: I’m looking for the book that was on *local TV show about books*
ME: Do you remember the name of the book or author?
CRUSTY: No, it was on about 30min. Ago didn’t you see it?
(No I didn’t see it I was working)
ME: no I’m afraid I didn’t, do you remember anything about the book?
CRUSTY: (gets mad at me because I don’t watch TV at work)
* * *
CRUSTY: walks to the register while on the phone, doesn’t engage me just keeps talking on the phone.
ME: (I have the rule that if someone is on the phone I don’t talk to him and if there are other people waiting I serve them before the talker)
I handle the transaction as no one was waiting.
CRUSTY: gets his product, receipt and everything in a bag. Still stands there talking on the phone not moving, 5 minutes later he ask if I put a gift sticker on his book.
ME: no, you didn’t ask for one.
CRUSTY: You’re supposed to offer, I shouldn’t have to ask.
ME: (I put a gift sticker on the book) Well even if i had you were on the phone and according to company rules I should have waited until the call was over to serve you.
(He still got mad at me for not offering him a gift sticker, he didn’t hear me when I tried because he was on the phone but it’s still my fault)
* * *
ME: Would you like to keep the receipt?
CRUSTY: Sorry???
ME: would you ..........
CRUSTY: yes. (stares at it for a few seconds, can you throw this away for me/ leaves it on the counter)
ME: (STOP WASTING PAPER!!!!) 
* * *
(where I’m from we use Good day and not Hi, how are you to greet people)
ME: Good day
CRUSTY: Good EVENING!!
* * *
(I work inside, it’s always bright for me and I know social conventions say that after 6 we change from good day to good evening but as I say; I’m inside and I don’t have my eye on the clock)
CRUSTY: Is this marked down?
ME: No, I’m afraid not
(if it doesn’t have a sticker on it advertising a lower price then no, it isn’t marked down!!)
--Bitterbookaddict





















