And...if you're really like me, you have a Barnes and Noble Member Card.
If' you're really, really like me, you never carry your card around because...um, who wants to remember an extra piece of plastic, I have more important things to worry about thank you very much, oh you'll take my phone number and look up my membership that way? Awesome--thank you--I love you.
....
If you're really, really, really like me OMG get out of my head---you frequent at least 4 different Barnes and Nobles (one of which I saw an arrest go down in the cafe--awesome!).
So here's the thing. I buy A LOT of books. And I drink A LOT of soy lattes. And so...I've kind of noticed this thing that the Barnes and Noble employees do when they punch in your membership number.
They STARE. RIGHT AT YOU! They absolutely refuse to look at their registers or where their fingers are hitting the keypads. They just stare and and stand there and you recite your number and wonder if they're going to EVER look away.
I kind of brushed it off at first, and then chalked it up to like a thing, a code, or...an epidemic if you will at one Barnes and Noble in particular (and btw Im friendly with all the people who do this, but I've NEVER mentioned it to them).
But then I started to notice that they do this EVERYWHERE. At all of my Barnes and Nobles!
And...it's kind of weird. Right?
I mean I sort of get it. They punch in so many numbers they don't have to look at the keypad. Their fingers are like Magic! They have the amazing ability to multi-task--get your member discount and stare meaningfully into your eyes. Or...they're just trying to prove to the other employees they can do this neat trick. I don't know. All I know is I'm starting to see this everywhere. EVERYWHERE.
So what do you guys think? Have you experienced the meaningful eye staring? Do you look away? Or are you like me--do you stare right back at them?
I cannot stop laughing...I now must go by B&N today!
ReplyDeleteI have never noticed but I will search it out!!!
Love ya Frankie & though I do not partake of the Soy Latte - I buy enough books and drink enough of their tea options to completely understand you! ;o)
Visit My Kingdom Anytime
I've never noticed that, but I buy a lot of books online and in independent bookstores. I'll have to go check my local B&N.
ReplyDeleteIt kind of sounds like a douchbaggy thing to do. I'd probably stare right back.
I don't have a membership card (though I should!), but I'll try to watch them when someone does present one.
ReplyDeleteSorry--I don't get the stare, but perhaps it's because when I walk up to the counter, I try to look as menacing as possible by baring my fangs, swinging my knees wildly like John Cleese in that Monty Python Funny Walks skit, and speaking with a heavy lisp.
ReplyDeleteActually, that amounts to a lie. I guess I just don't get the stare. :D
I usually order online. But when I do go to the store, the cashier does stare at me (or my mom). It's weird, I usually just start staring at the little goodies and books they have in front of the register or around it.
ReplyDeleteUm... no, I haven't experienced this stare! :) Then again, I've never been in a Barnes & Noble, and in the UK people avoid staring at each other in public places like the plague!
ReplyDeleteI haven't paid much attention, I guess. Maybe they're just awestruck by the beauty of your crown! :-)
ReplyDeletePerhaps you are so alluring they just can't look away. ;)
ReplyDelete(you are, after all, a queen)
I've never noticed this! It must not have made it down the chain of command to our B&N's yet. But for me, I'd shift and look away. I'm a wimp.
ReplyDeleteI think it's just you they stare at. They've never done it to me....
ReplyDelete(Not to give you a complex or anything.)
:)
That's hysterical! I've gotten the stare before, so I know what you're talking about. I think it has to do with customer service. I worked retail for a while, and they beat into you to always engage the customer. I guess B&N just think engaging means creepy eye stalking.......
ReplyDeleteBut do you have an educator's discount card? 20 % off, baby!
ReplyDeleteCheck. Check. Check! It is official, I am very much like you. :P But not REALLY, really like you (aka I don't frequent more than one B&N).
ReplyDeleteAnd I cannot say that I have experienced this "meaningful eye staring" from B&N employees. Then again, I may be wrong and this may
happen to me a lot but I just don't notice. And now I have an extreme urge to drive there right now and see if it happens.
I've come to the realization that no matter what you blog about, Ms. Frankie, it's always going to be entertaining and interesting to read. :P I am so glad I found your blog!
~TRA
http://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com
YES! Someone else noticed too! I find myself looking between their eyes and their hand waiting for them to mess up, but they never do. It's crazy :)
ReplyDeleteI am a banker, and I can type in account numbers without looking at the keypad. It usually impresses people, but that's probably because I don't give them the creeper stare in mid keystroke. :)
ReplyDeleteCourtney, hehehe thanks!!! Let me know your findings.
ReplyDeleteMatthew, haha it doesnt feel douchebagy---it is strange though.
Lisa, heh, tell me if yu see it.
Jon Paul, awww, you should get the stare!
Mg, aw stare back! Its sort of fun!
Talli, really! Thats interesting.
Shannon, HA! Right, I forgot I was walking around with that on my head.
Tricia, HA! Love your response though;)
Elana, No you have to stare back! Seriously, if they can stare at you, you can stare at them!
Simon, aaaah complex developing right...about...now...
KM< I dont know, it doesnt feel like customer service, it feels like LOOK at what I can do!
Jenny aaaah no! And I totally should!
The Red Angel, heheheh awesome and awwwwww thanks!!!!
Bethany, yay its not just me!!!
Amber, maybe you should...give some creepy stares and jsut see what happens...
Plastic membership card is a great way to announce to the public, and they remind people of their membership.
ReplyDelete