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The criticizing bookstore clerk



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My fiancée and I just went to bookstore, to get a book about gastric sleeve surgery. The bookstore clerk WENT OFF on us. She told my fiancée he didn't need it done. He has bmi of 39, struggled w his weight all his life. He tried explaining to her what a gastric sleeve was and also that we were going to Mexico to have it done. " your gonna lose too much weight and DIE!!!" She also had many other negative comments and continued talking as we walked out the door. Seriously???We just wanted a book no comments. Does anybody else get negative remarks? Example: " you are just lazy and need to workout?"

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You should have complained to the manager. The clerk had no right to say anything to you. Her job is to sell you books, not comment on your purchase. Really...you need to go back there and say something. I worked in retail for many years and that was totally unprofessional.

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I would've told her to read one of the books in her store and gain some knowledge before she voiced her opinion. She is simply uneducated about the procedure. I would also complain to management.

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Yes, from my husband except he didn't call me lazy. He was extremely anti-surgery though. His words,"If you want to lose weight,just cut back.I'll help you anyway I can". Oh sure! This is the same person who stocked our cupboards & freezer full of ungodly amounts of carbs & were not talking complex here either/even.We both love those kind of foods & so just a couple of codependent carb junkies.

The stranger in the store jumping your case about the surgery is bizarre.

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I definitely would call the manager. It is completely out of line for her to comment and judge. Completely inappropriate, regardless of what book is being purchased.

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Not only would I go talk to the manager but I would be writing an email to corporate about her. She is there to sell books not give her opinion on what you are buying. I don't let things like that go when people are rude she has no business working with the public. What if you were buying sexual fantasy books would she have said you can't do that because its for skinny people. Ugh I hate rude retail people.

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OMGggggggg!! Something is definitely wrong with that woman! I'd say, forget it, move on, and if she's there next time just AVOID her... I agree she was rude as heck, but things can escalate very quickly. Just let it be.

Edited by HotButterFly

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Screw her !!!! No one knkws what life is like being obese and unhappy about it! Take her frigin ignorance with a grain of salt

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I agree with everyone who says to tell the manager. That is absolutely unacceptable. I've worked retail for a long time and had I done that at any of my jobs I would have been written up. That is absolutely unacceptable behavior. You're always going to have people be judgy but as a consumer you don't need someone questioning your choices. That's like the cashier at the grocery story looking trough your food and lecturing you for your life choices. Just total nonsense. Even if someone thinks it they should NEVER say it outloud in that situation. This angers me SO much! If you can please go back and talk to management about her!

Edited by Fallenangel2904

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What if you were buying sexual fantasy books would she have said you can't do that because its for skinny people. Ugh I hate rude retail people.

Yes, because we were just around the corner from the oral sex book. Glad I didn't make that purchase! and yes Petunia77 is my fiancé. Thank all of you guys for your input. She also had know idea I had HTN(hypertension), OSA(obstructive sleep apnea)

And the beginning of type II DM. We are Both ICU nurses and trying to explain the procedure to her about how Obesity has grabbed this nation as the number one killer, she didn't want to hear that. Telling her that if this surgery was performed more often and covered more by insurance we might not have the jobs we have because many people don't realize we see the effects of obesity EVERY SINGLE DAY!!! CHF, OSA, DM, and joint pain...

Edited by Llunker

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Wow that was so rude of her. I'm with everyone else on this board, talk to the manager. She should be fired/suspended, and you shouldn't have had to justify your purchase or your procedure to her.

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Yes, because we were just around the corner from the oral sex book. Glad I didn't make that purchase! and yes Petunia77 is my fiancé. Thank all of you guys for your input. She also had know idea I had HTN(hypertension), OSA(obstructive sleep apnea)

And the beginning of type II DM. We are Both ICU nurses and trying to explain the procedure to her about how Obesity has grabbed this nation as the number one killer, she didn't want to hear that. Telling her that if this surgery was performed more often and covered more by insurance we might not have the jobs we have because many people don't realize we see the effects of obesity EVERY SINGLE DAY!!! CHF, OSA, DM, and joint pain...

I would have told her to mind her own business and ask her what her name was and what the managers name was and stand there out of any line just to let her stew in her own ignorance thinking we would go off on her and demand to speak to the manager. I think her thinking the worst thing...like maybe losing her job might be going through her head and then let her think you are going to come back and speak to the manager for her rude remarks and and does she comment on everyones purchase or is she prejudice of overweight people only? I'm not sure but I would think she would think again about expressing her opinion about anything. And before you leave stop in once more and ask to see the manager if he/she comes out I would complain but I would think she's already given herself a "what for" for saying anything. I know it sounds like you're taking up your time to persecute this ignoramous but you're trying to make a point w/o getting her fired even though you may want her to. I would say it would be a valuable experience for her and also you if someone else would make a rude remark.

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That was ridiculous and so rude! You definitely shouldn't have to explain yourself to a store clerk concerning any purchase! She crossed the line!

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I agree with all that was written. Mostly, donna450 said what I would have said, mind your own business, lady! Then I would have reported her to corporate.

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My fiancée and I just went to bookstore, to get a book about gastric sleeve surgery. The bookstore clerk WENT OFF on us. She told my fiancée he didn't need it done. He has bmi of 39, struggled w his weight all his life. He tried explaining to her what a gastric sleeve was and also that we were going to Mexico to have it done. " your gonna lose too much weight and DIE!!!" She also had many other negative comments and continued talking as we walked out the door. Seriously???We just wanted a book no comments. Does anybody else get negative remarks? Example: " you are just lazy and need to workout?"

The clerk was offensive and unprofessional, not to mention ignorant. Definitely the manager should be told.

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    • LeighaTR

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      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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