Things overheard at Borders

Stuff that made me smile as I walked around Borders today. It's the last week of business for them.

*****

First kid, in the DVD section: "Dude, look at this! The whole season! I've been wanting this!"

Second kid: "Cool. How much?"

First kid: "Thirty dollars."

Second kid: "Everything's sixty percent off."

First kid: "So how much is that?"

Second kid: "I dunno. Use your calculator."

First kid, apparently not in possession of a calculator: "Ummm..."

Me, laughing: "Twelve." I don't think either of them heard me.

First kid, having reached a conclusion but sounding not quite certain: "I think it's fifteen. I'll call Mom, maybe she'll buy it. Mom? I found it. Fifteen. Less than fifteen."

Me: "It's twelve." I still don't think he heard me. I decided to let it go. As I wandered around the store, I saw a number of youth using calculators to do the math. Do the schools no longer teach kids to do math in their head? I'll admit I cannot do it as quickly as I used to, but still! Take ten percent and multiply by four which gives you what you pay after the sixty percent off.  

*sigh* Well, at least they know how to read. Math isn't everything.

*****

Father: "Well, hey, let's just get all of them. School's starting, and it's important you have books to read. Besides, we're getting them at a great price."

Son, age five or six:: "Yep."

Nice to know this man's teaching his son about what's important in life.

*****

Man: "Excuse me, do you have any more fitness books?"

This statement isn't by itself smile-inspiring. But since I'd attended a baptism prior to coming into the bookstore, and still had my dress shirt and necktie on, I presume that is why the man asked me the question. As it happened, I knew the answer, as I'd been around every part of the store once and some parts twice. I've often been asked "Where can I find...?" questions, and in bookstores I don't even need to be wearing a tie. An armload of books makes me look official. It's good to know that I have "the look", if I ever decide to pursue a career in retail.

*****

Man: "Oh, there you are."

Woman (abruptly): "I'm not done!"

Man: "Oka..."

Woman (impatiently): "Because I'm still looking!"

I felt sorry for the guy. I didn't think he sounded like he was in a rush, just observing that he'd found her. But the woman apparently felt rushed.

*****

In another part of the store I witnessed a less frantic reunion:

Nine or ten year old boy: "Mom? Found him!"

Two year toddler (happily): "Da!"

Mom, coming around corner with teen girl: "There you are!"

Dad/"Da" said nothing, he just grinned. In fact he looked a little amused as he stood from where he'd been kneeling looking at the lower shelves. I got the impression he was the main reader in that family and quite often needed to be searched for. Which I think is cool.

What better place to get lost than a bookstore?