WWJD (What Would J'all Do?)
In early 2007 I dropped off an arc of Before/After at an independent book store near me. The person I spoke to was very excited, particularly since the story takes place in Cleveland, and also because I was the author. She asked me to sign it. We chatted. It was a nice experience for both of us, a) because she got to meet an author, and 2) it was first time I felt like an author. I was blown away that she was so excited.
Yesterday I stop in same book store. Guy/manager/whatever-he-is is peckpeckpecking at his computer as I approach with an arc of STW. He barely glances at me, then barks, "Go to the other side"--meaning that to purchase my item, I need to get out of his personal space and hit the register on the other side of the desk.
You putz, I think.
I introduce myself and explain that I'm here to drop off an arc to the YA buyer who may be interested in reading it. I also mention Before/After, which is still on the shelf there.
I hold out the arc. Putz takes it and squints. "You say it's young adult?" He drops it on the counter. "I'll see she gets it." And instantly goes back to his peckpeckpecking without another word.
I am, like, so dismissed.
???
OK, I don't expect people to fall all over me. But I do expect courtesy. A thank-you would have been nice.
It's one day later. I'm still steaming over this. Should I:
1. Blow it off?
2. Call the store and ask for the person for whom the arc was intended to make sure she got it?
3. #2 plus mention the sheer rudeness of Mr. Peckpeckpeckerhead?
4. Just assume she got it (which she probably did) and keep my mouth shut because of course I'm just looking for an excuse to complain about the putz who I'm sure is as rude to the customers as he was to me?
Yesterday I stop in same book store. Guy/manager/whatever-he-is is peckpeckpecking at his computer as I approach with an arc of STW. He barely glances at me, then barks, "Go to the other side"--meaning that to purchase my item, I need to get out of his personal space and hit the register on the other side of the desk.
You putz, I think.
I introduce myself and explain that I'm here to drop off an arc to the YA buyer who may be interested in reading it. I also mention Before/After, which is still on the shelf there.
I hold out the arc. Putz takes it and squints. "You say it's young adult?" He drops it on the counter. "I'll see she gets it." And instantly goes back to his peckpeckpecking without another word.
I am, like, so dismissed.
???
OK, I don't expect people to fall all over me. But I do expect courtesy. A thank-you would have been nice.
It's one day later. I'm still steaming over this. Should I:
1. Blow it off?
2. Call the store and ask for the person for whom the arc was intended to make sure she got it?
3. #2 plus mention the sheer rudeness of Mr. Peckpeckpeckerhead?
4. Just assume she got it (which she probably did) and keep my mouth shut because of course I'm just looking for an excuse to complain about the putz who I'm sure is as rude to the customers as he was to me?