Video Rental Store Employees -- An Observation

[Flippancy]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 11:34am

You ever noticed how the people that work in video stores consider themselves film critics? There's this guy that works in the Blockbuster I use, and I swear to God, you'd think he was Pauline Kael, Roger Ebert, and Gene Siskel all rolled up into one. He constantly says crap like this:

"Good choice, good choice... the cinematography in this is absolutely stunning."

"This one may start a little slow, but stick with it -- the arc of the story is very compelling."

"I think this is some of Scorsese's best work."

But it's a challenge to take him seriously, as he's standing there in a polyester blue pullover, his name emblazoned on a plastic nametag, peering over the display of microwave popcorn, gummy worms, and roto-lollipop holders.

[DG]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 11:39am

Actually, it sounds to me like he's enthused about movies, and is willing to engage in conversation with the customers (and he sounds like he focusses on the positive aspects, to boot.)

I'd much rather deal with that than the non-committal, monosyllabic grunts that I sometimes receive.

[tazber]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 11:42am

I'm with DG on this except when they get so enthused that they inadvertantly give the ending away.

Updated On: 10/26/07 at 11:42 AM

[mateo]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 11:42am

I just hate when they yell out your movie titles so the whole store can hear.

[Calvin]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 11:43am

Yeah, it could be worse. As a teenager, I used to hate the Blockbuster in Texas where the clerk would give me a glare that said "faggot" with every film I'd check out. I'd always feel compelled to throw in some stupid action flick to prove my masculinity. Ha!

Why do they feel compelled to shout out the name of every film you're renting as they check you out, btw? eta: Mateo beat me to it! Thank God for Netflix.
Updated On: 10/25/07 at 11:43 AM

[mateo]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 11:46am

haha, this happened to me once:

"SHOWGIRLS! BOOGIE NIGHTS! MUPPETS TAKE MANHATTAN!"

My friend and I just laughed.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 11:49am

It's better than:

"Ordinary Peepholes, The Sopornos, Romancing the Bone!"

[Calvin]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 11:50am

Although it was fun when I was on an anime kick.

"Urets...Ura..Ur...um, some japanimation thing. (Stupid faggot.)"
Updated On: 10/25/07 at 11:50 AM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 11:52am

LOL, Calvin!

[broadway86]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 11:55am

When I was a senior in high school, I had worked in Blockbuster for over a year, and I had become very well known for having seen many of the film on display.

I went from being cashier, to being the guy who would go out and discuss the new releases, and recommend movies, to anyone who was willing. To my surprise, many people were very surprised and appreciative of this.

[mateo]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 11:58am

Calvin what was it?

Urusei Yatsura?

Urotsukidoji? (perv!)

[Gothampc]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 12:11pm

I think it just depends on what person you talk with.

Several years ago, I rented The Ice Storm. When I returned it the young girl behind the counter, probably about 19 and probably an NYU student, said she enjoyed it because it showed her what the 1970s were like. Oh brother!

[Calvin]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 12:13pm

Urusei Yatsura, DARLING!

[mateo]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 12:15pm

YAY!

hehe "darling"

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 12:16pm

Wow. And then people turn around when they go into a store and the employees don't know anything.

But it's a challenge to take him seriously, as he's standing there in a polyester blue pullover, his name emblazoned on a plastic nametag, peering over the display of microwave popcorn, gummy worms, and roto-lollipop holders.

The sense of superiority dripping from that sentence is appalling.

[Jane2]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 12:57pm

I agree with Phyllis. Who cares what he's wearing? And I"m sure they make him wear that name tag. What's wrong with him peering over the concessions? oy.

I trust that employee's opinion more than anyone else's, seeing I like to form my own anyway, but that employee talks, lives, and works films. He hears opinions and comments all day about movies. He sees a lot of movies. That's who I'd believe.

[DBillyP]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 1:04pm

I worked in a "mom and pop" type video store in high school. (This was before B*llbuster, as we liked to call it, came along and out us under.) I think the customers appreciated the personal touch that I tried to offer, paying attention to what they rented to be able to suggest other titles.

[etoile]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 1:08pm

I think it sounds refreshing that an employee is actually engaging and giving attention to a customer and not talking on their cell phone, or shouting over the counter to their buddy about the upcoming weekend beer blast.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 1:22pm

But he wears a uniform and sells candy, so he deserves to be mocked. How dare he not be a dipsh*t!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 1:46pm

I managed a video store. Easily half the customers come in expecting thumbnail reviews of every single film. If you DON'T have an opinion, they want to talk to someone who DOES! At first, I'd try to be honest- say things like "good? Well that's an objective opinion. I didn't care for it but..." only to see their eyes glaze over. So I learned. Take the video, look quickly at it, read one of the blurbs and look up and say "Death Wish 8- The Legend of Curly's Gold!" It's great! Shannon Tweed gives the performance of a lifetime!"

In the highly unlikely case that they come back to say "THAT movie STUNK" just shrug and say "Well, I LIKED IT!"

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 3:48pm

One time a waiter looked me directly in the eye. Can you believe that? I can't stand it when the help expects me to treat them like a human being.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 3:50pm

Worse yet- when they introduce themselves! When they start with their spiel I cut 'em off with "I'll just call you 'Hey You' as in 'Hey, You, I don't want to hear it. Get me a beer!"

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 3:52pm

God created the service industry so we prigs we have someone to look down upon.

[DMsquared2]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 4:31pm

I work part time at a small independent video store chain which has gotten good write-ups and "Best of" awards in the city's alternative weekly.

We have a lot of loyal customers, most of whom we like a lot, and they will often ask us our opinion or if we have seen a certain movie. Sometimes though, they assume too much (apparently we've seen every movie in the store so of course we'll have something to say) and that's when I'll just say "The choice is up to you."

We also have a House Favorites section which is a big help when someone comes up and asks us for recommendations.

And if someone brings up a movie that I really like, 9 times out of 10 I'll tell them. Small-talk never hurt anyone.
Updated On: 10/25/07 at 04:31 PM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 4:35pm

OK-

I worked at Tower for many years. We had a large, well-stocked classical department with a VERY knowledgeable staff. One man was infamous for his outspoken recommendations. I liked how every disc was rated either "FABULOUS!" or "You don't need that."

Anyways, he had his passionate followers and his sworn enemies among the customers. One day, one of his detractors sent him a letter that was a two page-typed rant about how sick this customer was of his "superior" attitude. I'll always recall, the customer read his beads, citing several recordings that weren't as fabulous as they should be, or more fabulous than he thought and the whole thing concluded with a rant about retail workers being the lowest form of life on the planet, except for Game Show Hosts and Kathleen Battle.