These posts are a perfect read for the end of a working week, Katie. Your descriptions of the card machine remind me that my first bookshop job was way back when you had a slidey thing that you put the dockets for credit cards into and then you had to pull it across very firmly so that the carbons worked, tear off one copy of the docket for the customer and put the rest of the paperwork into the till. It was a bit like the machines for measuring children's shoe sizes where you slide a metal bar down to their toes. One of the first things I was taught was to fold the card docket and the till receipt for their purchase very neatly in three so that they would fit easily into the customer's wallet. Funny how early training stays with you!
A salesperson once out my card in one of those and slid it too hard or something and my card *shattered* and it was so awkward. I felt terrible for her as she scooped up the shards and poured them into my cupped hands.
Gosh, I'd forgotten all about those! I used one when I worked in a wool shop and you have brought back all kinds of memories. Especially of the elderly lady who stole MANY of the "reduced to clear" knitting patterns when I was busy trying to do those credit card dockets!
Yay for scarves! Because I always regret a polo neck once I've left the house and spend the rest of the day wrestling its woolly clingyness away from my neck. And another exclamation mark for Elmore! Which old school journalists/typesetters used to call Screamers!
Your non-story about Tom Waits reminded me that I met Leonard Cohen once which is also a bit of a non-story but I will trot it out at any opportunity (there, I just did it). I like the idea of writing something extra on the "Thank you for your purchase" notes I send out with signed copies of my books from Etsy. "I love you!" (too much as I don't know the purchaser?) "You have good taste" (egotistical as I wrote the book?) "Enjoy!" (it's not a gastropub) - perhaps I will copy you and use "You have a beautiful soul." I think I would like that if I got it on a little slip of paper...
Yay! A new Curtis Sittenfield!! I’ll be in to get a copy and pick up the next in the Slough House series - love Jackson Lamb (or do I love Gary Oldman playing Jackson Lamb??)
This niche may be irrelevant but I’m going to say it anyway - would you consider also being a donation point for old blister packs of medication? They are a pain to get rid of and completely a bonkers choice for a bookshop, thereby enticing recycling-minded souls to return them to you and browse. Win-win! Love from Australia (aka I won’t be bringing blister packs).
PS in kinship with the person who almost donated their current classes just this week I have accidentally thrown out our letterbox key into our kitchen bin (I went looking) and then a second time found it in my taken-off jeans pocket. I clearly want to make life hard for myself.
These posts are a perfect read for the end of a working week, Katie. Your descriptions of the card machine remind me that my first bookshop job was way back when you had a slidey thing that you put the dockets for credit cards into and then you had to pull it across very firmly so that the carbons worked, tear off one copy of the docket for the customer and put the rest of the paperwork into the till. It was a bit like the machines for measuring children's shoe sizes where you slide a metal bar down to their toes. One of the first things I was taught was to fold the card docket and the till receipt for their purchase very neatly in three so that they would fit easily into the customer's wallet. Funny how early training stays with you!
A salesperson once out my card in one of those and slid it too hard or something and my card *shattered* and it was so awkward. I felt terrible for her as she scooped up the shards and poured them into my cupped hands.
*put. I NEED AN EDIT BUTTON.
Gosh, I'd forgotten all about those! I used one when I worked in a wool shop and you have brought back all kinds of memories. Especially of the elderly lady who stole MANY of the "reduced to clear" knitting patterns when I was busy trying to do those credit card dockets!
Yay for scarves! Because I always regret a polo neck once I've left the house and spend the rest of the day wrestling its woolly clingyness away from my neck. And another exclamation mark for Elmore! Which old school journalists/typesetters used to call Screamers!
Yes my editor in my second job as a joournalist talked about screamers and it took me a while to work out what he meant.
I too wondered what the new Curtis Sittenfeld is called. Clicked on the link: Show Don’t Tell. Very clever. Very meta.
You’ve reminded me to dig out my coastal grandmother scarves. There’s a nip in the air.
Lovely account of your day, thank you, Katie.
What’s the new Curtis S called? It doesn’t look like it has a title. (Also David Williams 😳😳😳 but my kids inexplicably loved his books)
Walliams. My autocorrect doesn’t like him either
Does Elmore need a hug?
Your non-story about Tom Waits reminded me that I met Leonard Cohen once which is also a bit of a non-story but I will trot it out at any opportunity (there, I just did it). I like the idea of writing something extra on the "Thank you for your purchase" notes I send out with signed copies of my books from Etsy. "I love you!" (too much as I don't know the purchaser?) "You have good taste" (egotistical as I wrote the book?) "Enjoy!" (it's not a gastropub) - perhaps I will copy you and use "You have a beautiful soul." I think I would like that if I got it on a little slip of paper...
Yay! A new Curtis Sittenfield!! I’ll be in to get a copy and pick up the next in the Slough House series - love Jackson Lamb (or do I love Gary Oldman playing Jackson Lamb??)
I love your take on rules of writing (more than I love Elmore’s).
Why are 7 year olds so obsessed with the Titanic? We have the DK Eyewitness at our library and it's always checked out.
This niche may be irrelevant but I’m going to say it anyway - would you consider also being a donation point for old blister packs of medication? They are a pain to get rid of and completely a bonkers choice for a bookshop, thereby enticing recycling-minded souls to return them to you and browse. Win-win! Love from Australia (aka I won’t be bringing blister packs).
PS in kinship with the person who almost donated their current classes just this week I have accidentally thrown out our letterbox key into our kitchen bin (I went looking) and then a second time found it in my taken-off jeans pocket. I clearly want to make life hard for myself.
Yay for Curtis Sittenfeld!