[Publib] Asking about the general rather than the particular

[Rick Hart]

I'm no longer amazed about this.  I think it must be due to some basic
human trait that's hard to avoid.  I've been doing the reference
interview for years, but still from time to time find myself in the
following situation: I go to a reference or information desk & ask a
question, only to find (startled & rather amused) that the person is
starting to ask questions to clarify my request -- and realize that I
was too broad or undefined.  It's always interesting to find oneself on
the other end!     -- Rick

Rick Hart
Information Services Librarian/Head of Reference
Forbes Library
20 West Street                          413-587-1012
Northampton, MA  01060      fax  413-587-1015

> Your Turkish bowl question reminds me of the 35 minutes I spent with a
> man who wanted to paint a meadow scene, and finally he said what he
> really wanted was the white rabbit in Alice in Wonderland going into
the
> rabbit hole. It always amazes me when someone wants the particular and
> asks about the general. Now I usually ask right up front "What do you
> really want?" I know it sounds abrupt, but I ask it nicely, and it
> certainly helps.
>