Working at Waterstone's
often provided a laugh.

"Do you sell paint?" (yes, tartan)

"Do you sell tyres?" (no, but we have alloys if you're looking)

"Hi, I'm here to pick up my book."
"No problem sir, reservations are held at the desk upstairs."
"How do I get upstairs?"
"...up the stairs."
(note: there was a giant staircase behind him in the centre of the shop)

On Harry Potter 5 launch day, we're all wearing Potter fancy dress or t-shirts proclaiming our Potter credentials with a giant W on the back. Guy marches through the shop, past all the balloons and two giant displays full of the new book, down to the counter at the end, where I am standing. "Do you work here?"
"..yes, how can I help?"
"Do you have the new Harry Potter book?"
I stifle the urge to maim, and direct him back to the front of the shop.

But you do get lovely moments. Old lady comes up to the counter. "Hello, I'm looking for a book."
"Well, you're in the right place. Which book exactly?"
"Erm... I'm afraid I can't remember its name... it's something about a dog."
I think for a second.
"Could it be... The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time?"
"Yes, that's it! Thank you so much! Oh, you're very clever, so helpful too. Thank you!"
I beam with a warm, smug smile, and go to eat a croissant on my break.

Easily my favourite job ever. I discovered so much while working there; Christopher Brookmyre, Bill Bryson, Carl Hiaasen, Dave Barry, George MacDonald Fraser, Chuck Palahniuk, Tom Clancy, Terry Pratchett, Robert Rankin, Neil Gaiman and Anthony Beevor among others. Lost my (part-time) job when Borders opened a store in the same town and our takings went down by 30%.

But I will always treasure it for the immense fun we had as a staff, the buzz I got during the Christmas rush, the education I received in literature, the 33% discount, and the time someone complained that we couldn't find the book of which he didn't know the title, the author, the subject or the genre. I couldn't keep a straight face and he walked out screaming something about the idiots you get working in shops these days...
(cypherspace is not a toaster, Thu 5 Jan 2012, 22:39, 7 replies)

"I beam with a warm, smug smile, and go to eat a croissant on my break"
click
(Raol Duke, Thu 5 Jan 2012, 23:28, closed)

I always underestimated how stupid society was
until I worked in customer service. But I'v had my moments. At a restaurant a customer once told me his oysters were undercooked and send me back into the kitchen to get it sorted. It was fine trolling.
(shezam slouching towards nirvana., Thu 5 Jan 2012, 23:28, closed)

superb
My favourite was working at Directory Enquiries.
"Unintelligble in Hanger Lane, please."
"Hanger Lane sir, no problem, could you spell the name of the business for me?"
"No."
"No?"
"No."
"You don't know how it's spelt?"
"I'm dyslexic, what do you want from me?"
(cypherspace is not a toaster, Fri 6 Jan 2012, 18:55, closed)

I worked at wh smiths for about 18months once. i wear glasses so i obviously got put on the book department. being a lazy stoner failed art student (yes FAILED art student) this was probably not the best place for me... i remember somebody asking me if we had any harry potter books, i put harry potter in the author search field, nothing came up, i said we didnt have any, 10 seconds later she reappeared with all three (it was a while ago) stating her child spotted them, implying i was a waste of space. ill be honest, i couldnt give a fuck, i hated that job, more than ive hated every other job ive ever had.
(bruxia, Fri 6 Jan 2012, 0:54, closed)

cool story, bro.

( janet aylia y'all motherfuckers need jesus, Fri 6 Jan 2012, 1:33, closed)

Book store = dream job
But more a black books style.
( jakedamusss I understand, and dont care., Fri 6 Jan 2012, 5:09, closed)

You're getting clicked
for mentioning both Carl Hiaasen and Dave Barry
(Dildo Bugger destroyed a ring on, Tue 10 Jan 2012, 10:34, closed)