Falling Under the Heading of Information Firmly Within My Grasp

Topping the list of frequently asked questions for librarians is, without question, some variation on, "Where is the bathroom?"

I have no problem with this. It's typically a question with a lot more urgency behind it than, "What should I read now that I've read The Battle of the Labyrinth and the next Percy Jackson book isn't coming out until 2009?" or "I need a biography book." (Typically.)

What gets me is when patrons, adults as well as children, ask me, "Do you know where the bathroom is?" To which it is all I can do not to say, "After working here almost three years, I should certainly hope so!"

I'm fully aware of the persnicketiness of this reaction. It's akin to snidely responding to the question, "Can I go to the bathroom?" with, "I don't know. Can you?" Which is why I don't say what I'm thinking; I say, "In the hallway, to the left of the stairs."

But I still think it. Every time.