buying books at Borders

[goingslow]

Oh I forgot, I also had never had my ID checked and I've bought many books from borders.  But this time he asked if he could see my ID since I was using my bank card.  Coincidence?  I think the book alone made me more suspect.  hmmm

[Jenadots]

Not in a bookstore, but once in a restaurant where a friend and I were having a late supper.  A girl just sat down and asked me if I had heard the good news yet.  I told her I had all the good news I wanted and both of us asked her to leave our table.  Of course, she didn't and started pitchin about how we needed to be saved -- blah, blah, blah.  I recall she even asked if she could go home with us.  

It took some doing to get rid of her so we could continue with our meal.  At least you got away before the real sermonette began!

[Tab]

oh man, I can't tell you how much I would love to have that happen to me, just because it would be so funny to start preaching blavatsky to them or something.

[PeacefulWarrior]

It's too bad that more people don't realize that when someone says something like that store clerk did, they are doing it because they sincerely believe what they have found and are happy.  They just want to share this happiness with others, even if they are judgemental.  I am not saying this is what you need and I know you don't want it, but it's like you sharing your ideas about OBE with them and then they go home and talk trash (which they prob do).  I think we need to remember that our experiences and beliefs are genuine and real to everyone of us, no matter what we believe and therefore we should tolerate one another (and I know your first reaction is to say, "Tolerance!  You think Christians are tolerant!!").  Obviously what I am saying wouldn't make sense to that guy because he has got the blinders on, but it seems like it should to you guys who are more open minded.

Do you see where I am going with this.  There is a whole continuum of beliefs and feelings and experiences and it all leads to something, and I think we need to remember that we are on different levels of understanding.  

I am just rambling now, but when even I hear a Christian judge someone, or a non-Christian judge someone, or a dog judge a bee, or a fly judge a tree I think "Can't we all just get along?!" [?]  Ok, that was just my bizzare sarcasm, but I think I made a point (although it might be one only I understand).

[goingslow]

Its funny because I've never gone up to someone with a bible and told them "this is good and all but the real answer lies in" such and such.

Or tried to make them feel bad for buying a religious book.  Theres a limit to how much crap we should have to take just because we decide to buy a new age book.  The funny thing is they think they have the answers when really they're extremely misguided.  

Save it for friends or people on the street. But when buying a book and in your own space the last thing you need is an over zealous person preaching to you.  There is a time and place for that thing and it gets tiring after a while.

How many bible study classes are interrupted by OBE enthusiasts going in telling the "truth"?  They'd get converted or attacked.

theres a limit to my patience with fanatics.

BTW did i mention he didnt preach to the guy in line before me about God? I had never had my ID checked in the store when using my check card. Who's the one doing the judging?

He talked to the previous guy about the weather. What gives a person the right to chose me to preach to because of a book im buying in a huge chain. If it had been a person going up to random people in the park believe me I am tolerant. They are just in their "spreading the word groove". But when they single you out because it is clear you are reading on a subject its clear they are the one judging you need help.

Since when is it okay for a person working in a BOOKSTORE to judge you and preach to you because of a book they sell in that bookstore. do you really think its okay for a christian to invade a person's space just because they think they're doing the right thing? or are you saying we should just get used to it.. I mean afterall we all know how often metaphysical people approach christians trying to convert.

I understand your point, but its built on the christian belief a persons beliefs aren't to be respected and its okay to infringe on them because you're spreading the word of god.

One more time.. how often are Christians recruited in the streets to study wicca or study OBE?  Maybe if you knew what it felt like to constantly be told you're not saved instead of knowing you are and saying "oh I am brother I am one of you" you could relate.

Just like in that one thread where the person said accept Jesus or you accept the devil and i said "yadda" you were offended I insulted his/belief we were accepting the devil.

I think you need to open your mind more.  Not people who are tired of the christian crusaders.

P.S.  I know this is harsh but its 420 in the morning and im a little tired of the excuse "they are just trying to help so its okay".  Help someone when they're not a customer.  A paying customer btw who is buying something from their store.

[Nick]

Personally, I don't appreciate any proselytizing, however gentle the approach. If I invite it that's one thing, however if I was buying a metaphysical type book and received "the good word" I wouldn't like it one bit. Goingslow, I think you were right to handle it maturely, there's nothing gained by being rude because, as PW says, the guys intent wasn't malicious, just intrusive.

later folks,

[PeacefulWarrior]

Hey, it's a new day and I am in a great mood.  After rereading this thread I must say a few things: 1) you are right to have taken offense but even more mature to not have said anything.  I see your point, and I think you see mine.  

Anyway, one thing struck me as funny and that is the fact that every time I use my check card they check my ID, but this is California so, you know...

[goingslow]

Seems we're catching eachother at the wrong time Peaceful warrior.  I was in a pretty bad mood this morning if that came out harsh.  But thanks for the responses Everyone  

It did make me feel like I was doing something wrong in a way.  I might even hesistate to buy another new age book from there.  then again.. nah.

take care

[Lasher]

quote:Originally posted by goingslow


P.S.  I know this is harsh but its 420 in the morning and im a little tired of the excuse "they are just trying to help so its okay".  Help someone when they're not a customer.  A paying customer btw who is buying something from their store.

I agree, GoingSlow,

When someone is a cashier at a bookstore, it is wrong for them to belittle your choice of books.  Not to mention it is poor business practice.  I doubt that the store owner would have approved.

Lasher

[shadowatcher]

If you havent already figured it out (from the bad spelling, grammer, and writing skills) Im not an adult. Yup, Im only 13 years, old. So when I go to a bookstores to purchase adult material (no, not that kind) like Robert Bruces Astral Dynamics, I get LOTS of wierd looks. In fact, there is one moment that stands out in my mind:

  I had recently read about Adventures Beyond the Body by William Buhlam, and I was intrigued by its good reviews. I was going to just order it on Amazon, but they didnt have it. Theres a great small-townish bookshop in the center, so I decided to bike down. I seriously doughbted whether they would have it, but...It was worth a try. Confident of my failure, I walked up to the shabby desk that dominated the center of the shop. Stacked books rose in mountains around it, a claustrophobiacs nightmare. The clerk was polishing what apeared to be an eartweezer. "ahem..." I coughed. She was rather plumfaced, and she looked like someones grandmother. "Yes dear?" She looked up from her polishing. "I was just wondering if you had a book? Its called Adventures Beyond the Body, by William Buhlam." she smiled at me in a way that I could immediately tell something was wrong. "We have lots of great adventure books dear". "er....do you have...this one?" I enquired again. "You should try this one!" she held up a copy of Harry Potter. Resisting the overwhelming impulse to turn, screaming from the shop, I tried again. "No, What I really want is-" But she was writing up a sales slip for Harry Potter. Sighing, I paid her the money and left the shop. 8 dollars poorer, and a million years wiser.

[Lasher]

quote:Originally posted by shadowatcher

"No, What I really want is-" But she was writing up a sales slip for Harry Potter. Sighing, I paid her the money and left the shop. 8 dollars poorer, and a million years wiser.

So that's how Ms. Rowling sells so many Harry Potter books!!! [:O]

Young Customer:  Excuse me.  I'd like to buy this book.

Store Clerk takes the book and looks at the cover through her bifocals.

Store Clerk:  Let's see here... Catcher in the Rye, by JD Salinger... Oh no no no.  This won't do at all.  

Store Clerk sets the book under the counter and hands Young Customer a 12 pound tome from the Children's Stack.

Store Clerk:  This is the book you need.  

Young Customer:  But Mam, I was really hoping to purchase Catcher in the Rye...

Store Clerk:  Catcher...?  You haven't seen catching until you've read about Harry Potter racing on his Nimbus 2000 to catch the Golden Snitch!!!

Lasher

[shadowatcher]

story of my life...

[goingslow]

quote:Originally posted by Lasher

quote:Originally posted by shadowatcher

"No, What I really want is-" But she was writing up a sales slip for Harry Potter. Sighing, I paid her the money and left the shop. 8 dollars poorer, and a million years wiser.

So that's how Ms. Rowling sells so many Harry Potter books!!! [:O]

Young Customer:  Excuse me.  I'd like to buy this book.

Store Clerk takes the book and looks at the cover through her bifocals.

Store Clerk:  Let's see here... Catcher in the Rye, by JD Salinger... Oh no no no.  This won't do at all.  

Store Clerk sets the book under the counter and hands Young Customer a 12 pound tome from the Children's Stack.

Store Clerk:  This is the book you need.  

Young Customer:  But Mam, I was really hoping to purchase Catcher in the Rye...

Store Clerk:  Catcher...?  You haven't seen catching until you've read about Harry Potter racing on his Nimbus 2000 to catch the Golden Snitch!!!

Lasher

LOL@that

[Tab]

Wut the
I'd go back to the store and get my money back if I were you :\

[goingslow]

Have any of you had experiences where a person has started to preach to you at the bookstore.

I remember reading in the PPSD section about a person who came up to someone when they were reading in the new age section and preached.  I had a similiar situation happen to me today.

I was at "Borders" bookstore and it was the clerk or cashier.. or whatever they're called who did it.  After reading the magic section of this forum I decided to buy the book Modern Magick by Kraig.
When I went up to pay the clerk who was about my age.. maybe a little older read the title and asked if that stuff really worked.  I said I wouldnt know cus I dont practice it.  

He then said how he used to practice it as a kid and it never worked.  I just nodded.. which he apparently saw as an invitation to tell me he now found a different power to look up to.  A higher power.  Then he stopped for dramatic effect I guess.. and put the receipt in the bag.  I wont keep you all in suspense.  that power was "God".  

I kinda just smiled and said "cool" then left.  Is it really appropriate for a person working in such a large book store to be preaching?  I wasn't offended at all and was actually proud I didnt make a smart butt comment.  But it was a little out of line.  

I guess in a way i understand how in their own misguided way these people are trying to do good.

Anyway.. so far I'm impressed with the book.  Its well written and im excited to spend some time reading it.