Why Be Rude- What's It Get 'Cha

i just made a visit to a comic shop in the area, one that i really don't care for- but works if all i want to do is browse and kill time.

the reason i really have a distaste for this shop is the dude who runs the spot is not the nicest guy in the world. think Comic Shop Guy from the Simpsons, minus the goatee,  ponytail and about 250 pounds. i will refer to him as CSG for the remainder of this post.

today, as i'm browsing around, a lady walks in talking on her phone. she's not shopping, just getting out of the elements as she was waiting for a bus. from what i gathered: she was upset about some aspect of healthcare and flu shots. saying at one point that they should shove something "up their ass". at this point CSG asks her "can i help you find anything" and she says "no, i'm just waiting for the bus" to which he responded "well, i don't need you coming into my store swearing- i need you to leave". the lady apologized 3 times to which is retort was "leave my store". no compassion, no understanding. it wasn't raining out, but it was kinda windy and just not so warm to be standing around for a bus at an un-sheltered bus stop.  CSG's reaction was a little over the top, she apologized. she APOLOGIZED. there was no grace in this man.  if there were children in the store, i could somewhat understand- but there wasn't. if she was reciting one of George Carlin or Richard Pryor's more colorful bits. i could understand- but she wasn't! i just don't understand why he felt he had to throw his weight around like that.....

i've tried to have several conversations with CSG about books and trades that i've been reading (because that's what employees of these shops should be doing: engaging their customers;) but not CSG, he's usually generally annoyed you are there. doesn't engage in any conversation, and when he does he tells you that he doesn't like what you are reading or the author  or the artist or the label , but doesn't really give any indication as to what he reads nor does he suggest anything that he finds interesting that you should be reading either. CSG isn't helpful, very opinionated and often rude. i don't really understand how his shop can stay in business, other than it is a pretty successful local chain. i've been to other branches of the store and the folks are usually very pleasant and helpful, but not at CSG's shop....

you know, the more i think about it, the more i realize his behavior isn't much far removed from how i behaved at Kiss the Sky when i worked there. i was opinionated  loud rude and judgmental. much like Jack Black's portrayal of Barry in High Fidelity. much like CSG. i was really a dick. dang.

RTH