Stupid questions are exhausting.
I'm sure everyone has had this conversation, but I've got to share it.
Stupid questions are exhausting.
Me: You know your items are a day overdue.Whoever said there are no stupid questions has never worked a public service desk. I hate when I get a question so stupid that for a second, I don't know how to answer. I have to quickly review the conversation up to that point and make sure that yes, the question really is that stupid. Then I have to quickly vet my response in my head to make sure that it isn't sardonic, sarcastic, or just plain rude. I have to school my features into the blankest expression possible and refrain from rolling my eyes. I remind myself that I can't touch the student no matter how desperately he needs a Gibbs style smack to the head. And I have to maintain this composure until the student leaves the area or I do.
Student: Really? When were they due?
Me: Uh...yesterday.
Stupid questions are exhausting.
Labels: Reference Questions
posted by Vampire Librarian at 10:22 PM
11 Comments:
Vampire Librarian post and an NCIS reference. Day has been made!
The variation I have of that is having to explain the difference between 'can't' and 'won't' to people
'I am sorry you printed the wrong thing and used up your money. But I have neither the means to add money to your card nor the cash to reimburse you. I'm not say I won't help you with this but that I *can't* help you."
Of course, I also find myself thinking "why should my institution have to pay for your mistakes, but that's another story altogether"
Ever see the movie Clerks? You know that scene where Dante and Randal talk about their stupid customers and it's all questions like "How much is this" or "Where are the new movies" and each time the price or movies are right behind them? That's very much what life at my library is like.
And I just "love" the people who think they shouldn't have to pay their fines because they returned the item. Yeah, a MONTH past the due date!
I sometimes think of quiting my job and having libraries hire me as a fake patron who'll yell at other patrons who are being stupid.
My all time favorite: "Do you have any books?"
Asked, not at the entrance of the Library, but at a service desk that is reached by walking through the entire first floor down the stairs.
And unfortunately, in the words of Ron White, "You can't fix stupid!" So we are pretty much stuck with those folks.
All I can say is the website Notalwaysright.com is a total God-send. Because it shows we're not the only ones dealing with idiots!
Thanks everyone for your comments. :-)
The thing I always think about with stupid people it that "these are the people who can FIND the Library and then CHOOSE to come on in" that part always makes me both sad and a little giggly.
Hi there,
I'm a primary school librarian from Singapore. I stumbled on it by accident whilst taking abreak at work. Your blog is hilarious.
your wry observations make me smile (smirk?). thanks!
Laila,
Canberra Primary, Singapore
Laila,
Welcome to my little corner of the internets! Glad you're enjoying the site!
Excellent
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