Letter #7

Dear patron,
I realize that you may not understand the difference between what you should have said, and what you said, so I'm going to recount what you said, then how the conversation ought to have gone.

What Was Said
"Excuse me, on third floor they told me that over here I could get some plastic bags to keep my paperwork from getting wet."
"That will be across the room over at the circulation desk, sir."
*Pregnant pause*
"Why is it that the men's key is always out and the women's is not?"
"I don't think about it."
"Do you think they do something sick in there...?"
"I don't know, and I don't care, I'm not a bathroom attendant."
"...how do you become a librarian?"
"Four years of undergrad, and two years of your masters in library science and information technology"
"All that and now you do *this*?"
"you could end up in any number of jobs, historical librarian, archival, here..."
"....and this is what you dreamed of as a little girl?"
"....Sir, I don't discuss my personal life here on the desk. Those plastic bags you asked for are over at the circulation desk."
"Sorry I was just making conversation!"
"Don't worry about it, but what you're looking for is at the other desk."
*Patron wanders off, gets about three feet with his back turned, thens tamps his foot and exclaims "I was trying to flirt with you! Damn damn damn!"*
*I stare.*

Five minutes later the gentleman returned.
"So, sorry about that earlier conversation."
"Don't worry about it, what can I help you with?"
"You're very courteous and polite."
*Insert long stare from me.* "Lots of practice."


What should have happened
"Ma'am, I was told on third floor that you have plastic bags down here I could use to keep my paperwork dry."
"That will be over at our circulation desk just across the room in the corner there."
"Oh okay, thank you!"
"Anything else I can help you with?"
"That's all, thank you!"


Please to be heeding this guideline in the future. Thank you.

Miss Misanthropy,
Library Assistant