New York City - Queens - Forest Hills - Local Color: Barnes & Noble Bookstore
Created | Updated Nov 7, 2005
QuickReview: Unwritten Bookstore Policies
Background Story
As part of my ongoing quest to get some exposure to Forest Hills I found the following entry from four years ago. It's great to gain some insight into the people of the neighborhood. Anyway, the Barnes & Noble bookstore mentioned in the excerpt is located on Austin Street (see my Forest Hills review) about 3 blocks west of 71st Ave. I assure you that I have never had any problems with any of the employees.
The following is a reprint of an original posting in 2000 from the now seemingly MIA Researcher 158239...
Once upon a time there was a store known as Barnes & Noble #2713, located in beautiful Forest Hills, NY. The customers there were so rowdy and horrible that the frustrated booksellers couldn't deal with it. One day, Matt, the head cashier, came up with a way that booksellers (and all frustrated employees of retail) could make sure they would never again be taken advantage of: The Big Stick Policy. Named for Teddy Roosevelt's "Walk quietly and carry a big stick" policy, the B&N version was that the booksellers would simply brush off rude customers with a withering glance, a disparaging phrase, etc. Never outwardly angry or nasty, the sting would be in the words themselves. The policy works really well, and everyone thanks Matt for starting it. Customers at our store never, ever get their way, and usually come away feeling like the stupid, uncouth children that they are.
Background Story
As part of my ongoing quest to get some exposure to Forest Hills I found the following entry from four years ago. It's great to gain some insight into the people of the neighborhood. Anyway, the Barnes & Noble bookstore mentioned in the excerpt is located on Austin Street (see my Forest Hills review) about 3 blocks west of 71st Ave. I assure you that I have never had any problems with any of the employees.
The following is a reprint of an original posting in 2000 from the now seemingly MIA Researcher 158239...
Once upon a time there was a store known as Barnes & Noble #2713, located in beautiful Forest Hills, NY. The customers there were so rowdy and horrible that the frustrated booksellers couldn't deal with it. One day, Matt, the head cashier, came up with a way that booksellers (and all frustrated employees of retail) could make sure they would never again be taken advantage of: The Big Stick Policy. Named for Teddy Roosevelt's "Walk quietly and carry a big stick" policy, the B&N version was that the booksellers would simply brush off rude customers with a withering glance, a disparaging phrase, etc. Never outwardly angry or nasty, the sting would be in the words themselves. The policy works really well, and everyone thanks Matt for starting it. Customers at our store never, ever get their way, and usually come away feeling like the stupid, uncouth children that they are.
