I've noticed over the last couple years a steady decline in "social graces" by many of our library patrons. I'm not just talking about politically correct and offensive or off color remarks but I'm also referring to the way people look when they go out into the world. Sebastian Maniscalco said it best, "When you go out to see the world, the world sees you." (link below) It is too common of an occurnce to see a patron walk through the doors wearing slippers and what looks like PJs. I always want to say "Good Morning" to these people no matter what time of day it is. One of our regulars often comes in with her head full of curlers, where is she getting ready to go anyway?
I realize that as people get older they seem to lose the part of their thought process that filters what they should just think and not say. But it has never be more apparent then when I work the circulation desk. Once while helping an elderly patron set up an e-mail account, I asked her what "secret question" she would like to use in case she forgot her password (more like when she forgets it). After spending about 10 minutes reading all of the samples to her, I finally said "What was the name of your first pet?" She then nearly shouts out the "N" word. My face must have expressed my thoughts because she felt it then necessary to explain that her first pet was a black cat and that "back then it wasn't a big deal to say n****r". As she retold her childhood days with her cat she must have used the "N" word a half a dozen times. I kept looking around to see how many people where walking by the circulation desk and wondering how to get her to stop talking. Along the same lines, recently after a large meeting let out of our community room, the hosts were carrying some of the extra chairs back into the library commons and an older gentleman said "too bad you don't have any colored boys to carry those for you." This guy must have just arrived from 1960.
As you have read in my other posts, there is no shortage of crazies that frequent public libraries. I could spend another 500 words retelling the things they wear and say, but I don't have time right now.
http://comedians.jokes.com/sebastian-maniscalco/videos/sebastian-maniscalco---casual-dress
