tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15914227.post112892133215235634..comments2023-10-19T20:24:30.761+08:00Comments on Orpheus Sings the Guitar Electric: FAQs About Working in a Bookstoredarkorpheushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02565452271408221461noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15914227.post-73255012356426337922008-12-12T03:58:00.000+08:002008-12-12T03:58:00.000+08:00Stefanie - I know what he's talking about. That jo...Stefanie - I know what he's talking about. That joy when somebody really liked the book you recommend - it's not something that money can buy. <BR/><BR/>Matt - Oh, yes. And Chicken Soup is still a big hit in Dubai. I'm pretty disgusted really. <BR/><BR/>As for the Dubai store - in a way we are starting from scratch in many things. The censor in the UAE is something still new to us, and there are some complaints from customers on the type of books we carry. But are still learning.<BR/><BR/>Ovidia - I am with you on bookstores and libraries as the favourite places to go, although I would also add music and video stores on the list. Or coffee places to chill and read.<BR/><BR/>Bybee - You might do better moving to Sydney, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok. They have Kinokuniya bookstores in those countries too, and they are cheaper places to live in!<BR/><BR/>Yogamum - I actually know what you're talking about! "I'm looking for a book. It's white with words on it, and it's about this South African guy." And that sense of accomplishment when we did find the book. Working in bookstores sound so much alike no matter where you live! <BR/><BR/>wil - oh, there's the fun bits, and then there are the bad bits. Especially when sometimes people are rich, and they think just because they buy a lot of books, they have the right to treat you like dirt. I hate that.<BR/><BR/>Nymeth - everything has it's good and bad side. It's the selling side of bookselling that I'm still getting used to. And freight, stock turn, the abuse from the customers....<BR/><BR/>Ah Leng - Yes, how the hell can anyone ask, "So, have you read everything on the shelves?" They think I have no life, ah?<BR/><BR/>Carl - Thank you. I think I need to remind myself of why I stuck with this job in spite of all the difficulties through the years - because I actually love my job.<BR/><BR/>But there will be compromises to be made. I don't earn as much as some of my ex-classmates, some of whom earn more than twice my current salary. <BR/><BR/>Melanie - Just keep reminding yourself why you stay with your job. But if it ever comes to a point when you can't bring yourself to wake up to go to work, then it's time to look for a new job.darkorpheushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02565452271408221461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15914227.post-55669025625107877472008-12-04T22:37:00.000+08:002008-12-04T22:37:00.000+08:00It's so great that you still love working at your ...It's so great that you still love working at your job. Sometimes I think I'd rather be working in the private sector; witholding info etc. happens in libraries too. Grrr.Melwykhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04885378201188978664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15914227.post-48262230879973552492008-12-02T10:09:00.000+08:002008-12-02T10:09:00.000+08:00That love of work is such a huge thing. My favori...That love of work is such a huge thing. My favorite job ever was working in a bookstore during the first 4 years or so of my marriage during our 'still in college' and 'recently graduated' years. Being around books all the time just never got old. I am at a place now where there are a lot of things that I like about my job but I still don't have that same love that I had working around books. Maybe part of the reason it is hard to explain is that so many people don't work at jobs they love. I for one am thrilled for you.Carl V. Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15948764216438379394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15914227.post-46369837965025852502008-12-01T19:10:00.000+08:002008-12-01T19:10:00.000+08:00I used to be asked "Oh, so you read everything tha...I used to be asked "Oh, so you read everything that is on the shelves."<BR/><BR/>How can that be possible?<BR/><BR/>And the other question i hated "What's the difference (UK vs US covers)?Ah Lenghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16955496299032074166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15914227.post-52836576743872246992008-12-01T05:38:00.000+08:002008-12-01T05:38:00.000+08:00Lovely, lovely post. Sharing knowledge, sharing on...Lovely, lovely post. Sharing knowledge, sharing one's passion rather than withholding it for the sake of maintaining "intellectual superiority"...it's things like these that make me want to flee academia and work at a bookstore or library.Ana S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16092495983972185943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15914227.post-16231755931026470742008-12-01T00:32:00.000+08:002008-12-01T00:32:00.000+08:00Great FAQ. I love bookstores -- wandering the aisl...Great FAQ. I love bookstores -- wandering the aisles, picking up something that catches my eye and settling into a comfy chair. Ahh.<BR/><BR/>And I always thought it would be fun to work in a bookstore. I just haven't gotten around to it...yet.wilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07916774745613441512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15914227.post-59683755700554839232008-11-30T22:30:00.000+08:002008-11-30T22:30:00.000+08:00I don't think they sold it, but it moved from its ...I don't think they sold it, but it moved from its original location. When I was there, they were just beginning to expand and I helped open the store in Columbus, OH. I believe they had four stores then. The people I worked with were SO smart and cool and knowledgeable about books. It was a great time!<BR/><BR/>My favorite thing was when a customer would come in and say something like, "I'm looking for a book. I don't know who it's by or what it's about, but I think it has a green cover and about two months ago it was sitting on the corner of that table over there." And we would find it!Yogamumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02736784200874589271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15914227.post-8498170302742760392008-11-30T18:41:00.000+08:002008-11-30T18:41:00.000+08:00OK, I really need to think about moving to Dubai!OK, I really need to think about moving to Dubai!Bybeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10061186489010154661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15914227.post-58212143936391342762008-11-30T15:53:00.000+08:002008-11-30T15:53:00.000+08:00so That's what you're doing in Dubai--setting up a...so That's what you're doing in Dubai--setting up a mega-bookstore sounds so great!<BR/><BR/>I've always loved bookstores--second only to libraries on list of favourite 'go out' places.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15914227.post-29702453421909706482008-11-30T06:00:00.000+08:002008-11-30T06:00:00.000+08:00Are Chicken Soups for the Soul still big hit? I ha...Are Chicken Soups for the Soul still big hit? I have never read any of of the 500 in the series! <BR/><BR/>Bookstore is meant to be a converging ground of readers and book-lovers. Although bookstores have to make strategic moves to stock titles that book-savvy staff don't necessarily like, they're great places to browse and to work. Good luck with your new Dubai store. I'm curious what sort of titles you will be carrying. I'm amazed at the subtle difference of titles I see in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur at the Kinokuniya.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15914227.post-18468532346849832592008-11-30T05:51:00.000+08:002008-11-30T05:51:00.000+08:00I've not had the pleasure of working in a bookstor...I've not had the pleasure of working in a bookstore but my husband has for the past 12 years and he loves it especially when customers come back and say the book he recommended was great and could he suggest another?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15914227.post-7906938427211016032008-11-30T02:21:00.000+08:002008-11-30T02:21:00.000+08:00Yogamum - OMG, you worked at the Borders #1? One o...Yogamum - OMG, you worked at the Borders #1? One of my current colleague was from Borders, and he told me about it. Did they sell it eventually? Anyone knows?darkorpheushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02565452271408221461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15914227.post-45701040583274751662008-11-30T02:09:00.000+08:002008-11-30T02:09:00.000+08:00I loved working in a bookstore (the original Borde...I loved working in a bookstore (the original Borders in Ann Arbor, MI). I was only there for about a year and then I felt I had to go do something more "important," so I went to grad school which I pretty much hated. So I can see why you stick with it!Yogamumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02736784200874589271noreply@blogger.com