@Patrick & @Cari: it’s funny that often it seems patrons just want you to decide for them – they don’t care what they end up with, they just don’t want to make the choice.

@laura: that is most definitely the thing that will always set me off.

@sharon: I don’t know that I’d call that a waste of time. I’m sure it was helpful and the patron is better off for it – it becomes more difficult to justify when the patron comes back for months on end asking the exact same questions.

@Liz: I know, in general this doesn’t bother me. But when your whole job is to answer questions, I just wish people knew they didn’t think they needed permission or that they were bothering me – it’s why I’m there!

I do have to take issue with one of your comments though.

As a reasonably polite person, I don’t just walk up to people and demand answers or information; rather, I ask “Excuse me, may I ask you a question?” to give them the opportunity to say “I’m sorry, I’m working with someone else” or “In just a minute please – I’m finishing something important.”

Quite frequently, however, my polite entreaty is met with “You mean ask me TWO questions?” or “Sure! Question answered – have a good one!” after which the person laughs or beams proudly as though I haven’t heard this a dozen times before and only their rapier wit could conceive of such a witty retort.

I still ask, though, to be polite and because almost as frequently someone does reply that they are unable to help me but that they will in a moment, and I hope occasionally they’re glad that I didn’t just start prattling on with my question, forcing them to either interrupt me or suffer through my concentration-breaking diatribe.

With so many people these days being brazen and rude (points to museum pass request), I wish people would have more patience for those of us who try to be considerate of them.

I worked at Starbuck’s several years back. One night I asked the next customer at the register what they’d like. “Can you answer a question for me?” she asked. “Sure thing,” I said, “How can I help you?” She said, “Can you tell me the difference between almond and hazelnut syrup?” Before I could stop myself, I said to her, “Well ma’am, the almond syrup tastes more like almonds, whereas the hazelnut’s more hazelnutty.” Embarrassed, I then smiled, hoping to take a little bit of the sting out of my words.

She looked at me, blinked a couple of times, and said, “So there’s a difference?”

I don’t work at Starbuck’s anymore.

A co-worker walked back into the employees-only workroom carrying a box. She said, “Dan, where can I put this box of donations?” Knowing that 81% of our donated books deserve to be there, I said, “If there’s a dumpster nearby, you can chuck them in there.” Of course, the customer who was donating them was right behind her.

Also, I have a strong urge to put these posters up in strategic places in the library:

http://voltagecreative.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/kill-you-and-hurt.jpg