ABOUT MUSEUM SHOPS

This image wasn't stolen ... it was collected

Oh well, the museum and gallery gift shops can be amazing places – and it sometimes is the case that they are. 

As they say, many a museum visitor has dropped a penny or two in these lands of books, postcards and other pretty or curious things. Museum and art gallery shops are an opportunity to take a piece of the museum, or the museum experience, or even a piece of the museum/gallery, home with you. However, they can also be battlegrounds of bad behavior. 

Here’s 11rules for minding your manners and getting the most out of a museum and gallery shop visit and purchases.

1. Museum/gallery shop workers are there to serve you. They busy people and they are not your servants – it’s a rather fine line!
2. Be aware, and beware, there are other people in the shop and shopping like you. This means that its uncool to just stop in the middle of it. This also means that there is bound to be a tall person around to help you reach something on a high shelf - museum/gallery shoppers are tall and knowledgeable about all kinds of interesting things, so maybe you should ask them something.
3. There is no such thing as a stupid question –  however, it’s usually a very very good idea to think a little before you ask one.
4. Try really really  hard to put things back where you found them - just like your mother tried to teach you to do.
5. If you really loved something in the museum, and there’s not a reproduction of it in the shop, don’t throw a HISSYfit. Just quietly let the gift shop attendants know – you never know they might be able to help you and pass your message on to someone who can arrange for it to be there or even to send something to you ... you never know.
6. Museum/gallery shop employees are veritable fountains of knowledge – don’t hesitate to test them out, most will enjoy the challenge. 
7. Don’t haggle over the price – this place is not a BAGHDADbazaar and it’s not like the GST, artist royalties, etc, were either negotiable, pulled from the air or made up on the spot.
8. Mention that you are a member, or inquire if you are eligible for a discount, well before the transaction is processed – it saves everyone time, unwelcomed annoyance, and sometimes a lot of embarrassment.
9. No museum anywhere on the entire planet has a catalogue of its entireCOLLECTION – if they did, you wouldn’t be able to get the dam thing  in your luggage or handbag. Try asking about what books or items come closest to what you’re looking for – you may discover something really interesting or even something surprisingly new.
10. Museum/gallery shop workers generally know who knows what about whom and sometimes interesting things about other museums in the area/world – ask them politely and they may be able to help.
11. Museum/gallery shop workers generally know who suggestions can be made to – ask them for an email address and send your suggestions to that person when you get home ... it'll be better advice by then.

Any rules you think we missed?

Let us know in the comments or eMAIL art@7250.net