BS: Christmas shopping shock

Subject: BS: Christmas shopping shock
From: Bainbo
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 12:52 PM

Sorry to inflict this on you, Catters, but I just felt the need to unburden myself. And as it involves buying a gift for my missus, I can't share it with her.

I went to a large branch of WH Smith, a British bookseller and stationery chain, went to the books department, and asked if they had a Graham Greene anthology. The assistant - in the books department, mind - looked at me and said: "Who's Graham Greene?"

I was almost speechless. Almost. I suppose it answered my question, though.

I'm still gobsmacked. But thanks for listening.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas shopping shock
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 12:56 PM

Yes, online buying is becoming less of a shock than dealing with minimum-wage store people. "Bookseller" no longer seems to be the honored profession it once was.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas shopping shock
From: Bainbo
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 01:08 PM

I think I may end up buying it online, Susan. Sadly it's the growth of online bookshops, and the big chains, that have shut down the small independent bookshops where I could have gone and had a chat.

I'd also been into a branch of Waterstone's - which I think is, or was, owned by WH Smith - where a knowledgeable and likeable young lad told me there were such collections, but they didn't have one, and they couldn't order me one as they'd be closing at Christmas to become an H&M fashion store.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas shopping shock
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 02:34 PM

I still go to used bookshops- but increasingly the little stores are listing their books with Abebooks, Bookfinders, Alibris, etc. I go online and check the offers, and sometimes find the book listed by a local. I phone and reserve it for pick-up. Saves the postage if close by.
Online shopping is also good for cds and tapes, many used ones listed by dealers.

Why leave my nice warm house when shopping can be done by internet and the purchase delivered to my door?

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas shopping shock
From: Art Thieme
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 02:41 PM

At this late date, when the dfinitions of folk (and other things) are morphing in these threads even as we speak, I am not surprised at what you encountered at all. Here in the USA, Graham Green is rather good Native-American actor.

That someone with that name wrote books would surprise just about everyone born after a certain date.

"The more things change, the more they get dfferent!"--Art Thieme

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas shopping shock
From: Art Thieme
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 02:46 PM

...and W. Smith is a good Afro-American comic actor here to boot. ;-)

Art

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas shopping shock
From: gnomad
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 02:49 PM

I am happy to report that locally we still have a bookshop which I could visit with a reasonable confidence that they would know who GG was. In fact I would be surprised if they didn't have at least a couple of his works in stock. For a relatively small shop they carry a surprising range, and even manage the odd "Meet the author" session. Of course it helps that we are a popular tourist destination.

They also actively offer to obtain books for you, and have a rack of volumes awaiting collection which suggests that they mean it. They even have a loyalty scheme which rewards the regular buyer.

Prices don't match buying online, but if we want such places to stay open we have to give them enough trade to make it worth their while doing so.

You have probably guessed that this isn't one of the national chains; I just hope we don't get one of them.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas shopping shock
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 02:55 PM

Previous to my current publications job, when I was working for a commercial printing company, I was out in the paper storage section of the press room, looking for some stock for a print job I was doing for myself. I found a ream of stock with the color name of "Dorian Gray" and was chuckling about it. My boss, the owner of the company, asked what was so funny -- he had never heard of the novel, nor probably of the author Oscar Wilde. (Probably never saw the film, either, as most of it was black and white. Sigh.)

About twenty years previous to that (at a different commercial printer), I quoted the line from the original "Little Shop of Horrors" film --

Audry Fulquard: "You're gonna be another Luther Glendale."
Seymour Krelboin: "Pasadena."
Audry Fulquard: "Burbank."

And only one other person (an older man working in bindery) out of 12 knew who Luther Burbank was.

Arghhhhh!!!

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas shopping shock
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 04:52 PM

If you're near London, we have a fantastic bookshop just up the road from me, we can arrange a visit if you like?! It not only survived when a branch of Borders opened nearby, it's outlived it - Borders has closed after only a couple of years trading and the little indepenent bookshop is celebrating 30 years next year.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas shopping shock
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 04:53 PM

It's everywhere. A few weeks ago, I was in a music store which had a used Martin D-28 hanging on the wall behind the sales counter. I asked the sales clerk, "How old is that D-28?" to which he replied, "Huh? Oh, you mean the Martin?"

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas shopping shock
From: SINSULL
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 04:57 PM

Try Borders. At least here in the US their sales people are incredibly knowledgeable and usually found nose in book. Most are middle-aged or older and love books. The youngsters are used at the check-outs.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas shopping shock
From: Peace
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 05:00 PM

'"How old is that D-28?" to which he replied, "Huh? Oh, you mean the Martin?" '

Nothing is sacred anymore.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas shopping shock
From: coldjam
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 05:06 PM

Stoopid youngsters! lol. I've become my mother. col.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas shopping shock
From: mg
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 05:41 PM

I have no idea who Graham Greene is. I guess I should. Maybe I will google him tonight if we still have power. Actually, if I still have a house. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas shopping shock
From: Peace
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 05:47 PM

From Wikipedia--Graham Greene

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas shopping shock
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 12:30 AM

Hope you stay safe, mg.

I didn't know about the writer Graham Greene until about twenty years ago. I knew about the Native American actor, before that, and agree with, Art; he is a great actor.

we have two really great used bookshops, though I don't usually go to one of them as it is not as well-organised... everything is in a jumble and it id difficult to move around in, to read the spines, etc. The other is online also and has a very good variety of hardbacks and paperbacks. They will also get whatever one may ask for, though sometimes I go to www.addall to see what I can find, if they don't have what I am looking for to hand.

I don't like the big chain stores. They are too big, too pretty and have the latest, but I find them too jazzy, surfacy, etc. I will not go to Barnes & Noble as they will not carry any local authors who are not on the BIG LIST back at HQ. Borders, on the other hand, is quite decent about it and features locals signing their books, etc.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas shopping shock
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 12:48 AM

It's that time of year for storms, is it, Mary? Every December and January my Dad's house was always subjected to high winds combined with high tides--so high that for a few hours at a time the house was an island all by itself. You needed waders to get in and out.

The actor Graham Greene was named intentionally, because his mother knew about the writer. She did it on purpose, he said in an interview. Gave both of her sons names of famous people. I don't remember what he said his brother's name is, though.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas shopping shock
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 12:59 AM

I had a simliar experience in a local pub a few years ago.

I asked what sort of beer they had. The barmaid, in an Antipodean accent (not that I'm maligning Antipodeans, but it may explain her lack of knowledge) said 'We've got Carlsberg or Fosters.'

'No', says I, 'I mean real ale'.

'Aww, er... we haven't'.

'Alright, can I have a bottle of barley wine then please?'

'Errr, is thet House Red or Riesling?'

'Bottle of cider please.'

Now to mistake real ale for Aussie lager is understandable, but surely a barmaid should know the difference between barley wine and house red?! It wasn't even as if she was new to the industry... she'd been working there for over a year!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas shopping shock
From: Micca
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 01:55 AM

I had the great pleasure of visiting a couple of REAL 2nd hand bookshops during my recent visit, one in Portland Maine and the other in Montclair, New Jersey both were run by Booklovers and they were polite and helpful and knowledgeable about their stock. The lady in Maine was acerbic, dry and truly delightful, and had a small collection of soft toys behind the counter all of whom had names, including a rather ratty looking stoat, she regaled us with tales of them and their origins, and that they were NOT for sale, and we gave her some about Mudcat Jack and his adventures. Thats what we need , a few more eccentrics!!
Graham Greene created one of the NASTIEST and most repellent villians in all literature, Pinkie (played by Richard Attenborough in the movie) in Brighton Rock

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas shopping shock
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 02:54 AM

I just love the BBC TV show "Black Books"

And remember this - Tamsin is the SANE one...

:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas shopping shock
From: Bee
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 06:17 AM

I adore serious second hand bookstores, run by real booklovers who often must be pried out of a book to attend to one's literary needs. My all time favourite is The Odd Book in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. They have a website which is rarely updated, but they can be contacted for rare and specialist sorts of books, and the fellow who runs it is one of the nicest men on the planet.

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas shopping shock
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 11:09 AM

Could be used book shops may be all we have in another twenty years: Read About Amazon's "Kindle."

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas shopping shock
From: Wesley S
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 11:22 AM

Well I'm one WH Smith that knows Graham Greene. Next time you're at one of the other WH Smiths and you have a problem like that just have them give me a call.

It's all over - and it's not a new problem. When I was working in a record store back in the late 70's someone actually said - "The Beatles? - Isn't that Paul McCartneys old band?"

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas shopping shock
From: Amos
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 11:30 AM

I walked into one of the oldest second hand bookstores in these parts a month ago, and I practically had to be hauled out with a jackhammer and tackle. I could spend a year loafing and drooling and soaking up the universes in one of these places. Just one more reason to winthe damn Lottery; except I am better at math than all that...


A

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas shopping shock
From: autolycus
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 12:39 PM

I wouldn't go into W.H.Smiths, partly because I don't count it as any sort of real bookshop.

The ignorance is to do with money. Young is cheap, and young is inexperienced/ignorant.

   As we sow with our spending, so we reap.



   Foulestroupe, with you about "Black Books" - brilliant, and I lovvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvve Tamsin Grieg(?)(but then I'm a sucker for funny (ha-ha) women.)

   Ivor

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas shopping shock
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 05:20 PM

I can one up you, Wesley S -- back in 1980 a friend told me about being in a McDonald's with a birthday party for 8 year old girls was going on. He and his 7 year old daughter struck up a conversation with the birthday girl and guests. At some point, they were going around the table, naming their heart-throbs. The birthday girl said, "Paul McCartney. Paul McCartney and Wings." My friend said, "You know Paul McCartney was in another band before Wings -- the Beatles." And she looked at him and asked, "Oh. Were they any good?"

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas shopping shock
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 12:30 AM

Hey, i'm a Fool, not a Foul... :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas shopping shock
From: autolycus
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 01:40 AM

Deepest apologies, quite right to call foul!


   I loved a tee-shirt I once saw rhar read,

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, THE TOUGH GO SHOPPING


   Ivor

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas shopping shock
From: Donuel
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 09:43 AM

WOOOHOOO what a shock vid http://www.heyokamagazine.com/HEYOKA.10.PregantWomanTased.htm

Subject: RE: BS: Christmas shopping shock
From: Donuel
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 09:49 AM

While I do not know I suspect it is a case of SWB
Shopping while black.