SIX

This may sound arrogant but I’m telling it as it happened. At this point I was signing my latest book in Eleftheroudakis bookstore in Athens. with me was the bookstore's PR, Giannis, a young man but not that young, well dressed in a dark suit, neatly combed hair. I do not know why I remember all these details about him, maybe because his reaction later on didn’t correspond to his clean cut appearance, which did not fit well with a person working in a bookstore but rather he could be a banker, or an executive large company. How he was turned out did not make him attractive to me.

Going back to what happened. After signing several copies, with several people still in the queue, it was the turn of a young man who looked like a student. He brought with him a copy of the book, like all those waiting in the queue but I quickly realised that he hadn’t just bought it, because although in good condition, you could tell it had been read, and the pages were separated and the spine had those stretch marks that indicate that the book has been opened at several stages, and for a long time. Perhaps it had been read more than once. For me it wasn’t important that this guy didn’t buy the book there to be signed by me, to me that’s stupid, although I understand why they do it. But I was not the only one who noticed this. Giannis, this stuffy PR also noticed it and before I could pick up the book to sign, he said coldly: "Sorry, but store policy says that the books to be signed by the author have to be purchased in store. If you kindly go to the till and buy a new copy ... ". There was no protest from the boy, at least in words. But his face said it all; it was a mixed expression, the majority of which consisted of disappointment (immediately making me rebel) along with some anger, incomprehension and thousands of other thoughts reflected in his face that I could not decipher, but I understood them clearly. So I took his book, excused myself, grabbed Giannis by his arm and took him to the side. "I understand what your job is and I have no objection. The rules are made to be followed by everybody, because if not it would be unfair to other customers. But the rules also have exceptions and this is one of them. A bookstore is a company but also a factory of emotions, emotions that the books you sell express. Look at this person and tell me you see. I see it clearly. " Giannis smiled, while keeping all the time his professional composure, and nodded. Behaving very professionally, he went to the guy who was still waiting in front of the table and apologized, trying not to speak very loudly so the queue didn’t hear, but rotoundly and even sincerely: "Please accept my apologies and on behalf of the store. And accept this gift card for buying something in future. " He reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and pulled out a 100 euros card. "No, I do not accept alms, I just came here to get my book signed." No, no, the pride arose, the folly that spoils everything. Maybe this guy could be excused because of his youth, and feelings, like anything else, need experience and experience needs time. Although many of us don’t learn how to control these feelings in spite of the experience we could have acquired. Moreover, many people believe that pride is an essential part of humans and even need to be exercised. For me, it's a waste of time that prevents relationships being as easy and fluid as they could be. Pride, in small doses and only very rarely. So I could not restrain myself from speaking again, this time to the offended young guy. "You know how hard it is nowadays to find an apology? Asking for forgiveness is something that makes us better, enriches those who practice it. But if it's hard to ask for forgiveness when you think you were wrong, it’s harder to accept the apology and the reparation. Pride often stands between the person apologizing and the recipient, canceling every good intention. Be smart too and accept the apology and the gift, not as charity but as fair compensation for damages. I think you will feel better and it will be fair to who is apologising. " Two intense seconds elapsed between the my last word and the advance of the hand that accepted the card. I happily signed the book, the guy left and Giannis relaxed a little while maintaining his serious composure.