Not So Beautiful Mind
Customer: “Hi, I’m looking for a book based on a movie. Life is Beautiful, I think?”
Me: “I don’t believe Life is Beautiful” was originally a book. Are you perhaps thinking of A Beautiful Mind?”
Customer: “Yes! Yes, that’s the one! Get me that one! It’s the one about World War II. And the guy is burned. And there’s a French Nurse. That’s the book I want!”
Me: “That actually sounds like The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje. I can grab a copy of that for you!”
Customer: “Yes! The English Patient. That sounds right. But Michael Ondaatje, that sounds like a foreign name. No, The English Patient wasn’t written by a foreigner. Do you have a copy that wasn’t written by Ondaatje? I want that story, but I want it written by a Canadian.”
Me: “So you want a copy of The English Patient that is not written by Michael Ondaatje?”
Customer: “Yes! That’s what I want. Do you have any copies of that story written by Margaret Atwood? I do like her.”
Me: “No. I really don’t think we do.”
Customer: “Oh. Do you think any of your other stores might?”
Me: “I doubt it, ma’am.”
This story is included in our impossible requests roundup!
Question of the Week
Tell us your story about a customer who couldn't understand the most simple concept.
