Interesting Quote from Book
From A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby:
People go on about places like Starbucks being unpersonal and all that, but what if that’s what you want? I’d be lost if JJ and people like that got their way, and there was nothing unpersonal in the world. I like to know that there are big places without windows where no one gives a shit. You need confidence to go into small places with regular customers - small bookshops and small music shops and small restaurants and cafes. I’m happiest in the Virgin Megastore and Borders and Starbucks and PizzaExpress where no one gives a shit, and no one knows who you are. My mum and dad are always going on and on about how soulless those places are, and I’m like, Der. That’s the point.
I find that I really identify with this quote. I prefer to remain completely alone when shopping, in most cases. I don’t want help. I’d rather look for what I want on my own for half an hour than spend the two minutes in the company of a store employee showing me where the item is.
I don’t want to discuss it with someone. I don’t want advice from the employee. I would prefer to buy almost anything online with no human contact.
I don’t want to book my airfare with some disgruntled airline employee who might or might not be an idiot and screw up my reservation.
If I want to buy something and my only option is to call an 800 number to do so, I’ll think long and hard about whether I really want that thing.
I am not really a shy person, I think that the issue is that I don’t really like people all that much. I mean, I like my people, but I am no Will Rogers. I think this is a side effect of working in HR for too long.
I don’t assume that just because some jackass got a job for minimum wage at a book store that he knows anything about books or that even if he does know about books, that I will place any stock in his opinion.
I always assume that when you ask for help in stores, you are just begging to be upsold on stuff you don’t need or want. It’s much easier to look at a price tag and quickly walk away (or click away) without someone standing over you. I find it hard to say no to a person’s face so I’d just rather do my own thing and not be bothered.
I like Starbucks because I can count on it. I know that I can get what I want there and not worry about not liking how it’s been made. I can count on what they have there. And I don’t want to be chatted up while I’m getting coffee. I don’t typically sit and drink there - I just want to get in, get my drink and get out. I don’t care about someone knowing what my “usual” is and getting it started as soon as they seem me walk in the door. So Starbucks serves my purposes just fine.
What do you think this says about me? Am I just a hateful person? Is there anyone out there who identifies with me? Are you a loner when it comes to shopping or do you prefer personal attention? Do you accept or even seek out a person to help you? Tell me, I’m curious.
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As usual, I’m right there with you. I really do not like people because I find them to be, for the most part, assholes. Stupid assholes at that.
BTW, what did you think of the book?
I’m pretty anti-social too. I think it comes from being in sales for so long and having to blow sunshine up people’s asses and being all “whatever you want schnookums.” That and I also find that anymore, people feel as if they’re entitled to everything. There’s no give anymore, it’s just all take. So yes, I love Target, because people leave me alone. I just want to shop in peace. And there are still some big chain stores that will climb up your ass, like
Bed Bath and Beyond. They’re kind of syrupy. But I can’t help it. They pump some sort of frangrance into the air that makes me all loopy when I walk in. Like “mmmmmmmm smells goooood.”
That said, whenever I DO need help, I can’t ever find anyone.
I love being in a bookstore and making eye contact with absolutely NO ONE. I love shopping alone and it gives me a chance to think…I hate having a salesperson standing over me, watching, talking…uggg…leave me alone! And, I am like that at home too…I love to be home, ALONE, and really don’t like talking on the phone either! I’m not a shy person either but I think I am probably more introverted than I ever thought I was…
I generally like to shop alone — by myself and without help from sales folk. When I actually bother to shop, that is. Like Statia said, when I do actually want or need help, it seems like it’s hard to come by.
The last time I remember asking for help was when they moved the black olives at the grocery store from eye level to the bottom shelf only 3 feet over. I went up and down the aisles for about 5 minutes until some poor stockboy practically made me ask him for help. And he knew right where they were. He said it wasn’t bad now, but watch out for Thanksgiving when everyone buys them. Then I started wondering if people actually cook with them or just put them on their fingers like I enjoy doing.
And I digress.
That book is in my pile of books to be read. Should I move it closer to the top of the pile?
Oh Miss Donna, you probably already know that I’m right there with you. I don’t like interacting with the public in general. This includes sales people, customer service agents, people sitting next to me on planes, whatever. Same as you, I think it’s a side effect from working in HR. I find that fact kind of amusing.
It’s ridiculous in Malaysia. On the rare occasion you want help, it’s nowhere to be found. Otherwise, they stalk you, following you around, commenting on every little item that you look at or pick up. Oh, and if you do happen to have a question that they don’t have the answer to, they’ll just make shit up so that they don’t lose face. It’s maddening. M will turn it into a game, randomly walking around the store, never stopping, weaving in and out of the racks, just to see how long they can keep up. We figure if we tire them out, they’ll take a break, eat a much needed burger, and then we can shop in peace.
i could’ve written this myself– i feel exactly the same. i’m anti-social; leave me the hell alone but give me what i want. or let me get it myself.
shit. sarah beat me to the punch. was going to wax poetic about how you’d go nuts here.
Personal space, people. Some need a little, and some of us need a LOT.