Comments on: The Potential Customer is Always… Right?

By: Glen Hardy

Glen Hardy — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:10:52 +0000

I say graciously invite her in for the normal tour and let her know that if she or her friends have further concerns they can sit and discuss them with the staff. She should be prepared to back up her “facts” as the Wren’s Nest staff will be prepared to back up theirs. Everyone involved can learn something about history, facts, rumors and attitudes.

JCH carefully documented the stories he collected from a largely illiterate population. He did not take it upon himself to “correct” the dialog but recorded it as heard. The fact that slaves could overcome their plight to the point of passing on wisdom in the form of humor says volumes about the human spirit. Without Uncle Remus this snapshot in time of that spirit would have been lost forever.

By: Toni Mark

Toni Mark — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 02:16:41 +0000

My Mother grew up at 742 Queen St and remembers when the Wren’s Nest was a library. I plan to bring my nephew who is 12 to the storytelling in the next couple of weeks.

On my mother’s side we are NATIVE ATLANTANS- related to the founder of Buckhead HENRY IRBY

By: Laurie

Laurie — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 23:42:47 +0000

Amelia is incredibly sweet.

By: Amelia

Amelia — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:10:48 +0000

Thanks for the great suggestions, everyone.

Blayde, the woman has yet to confirm her visit, so there’s time yet to mentally prepare. Amma, I think I may write your suggestion on a notecard to be cleverly hidden in my palm, lest the always appealing “what crap” sentiment cloud my senses.

David, believe you me, we’ll be ready — facts straight and ready to rumble.

And Wayne, you’re right — sugar always wins. Luckily, I am incredibly sweet. Mom? Back me up here.

By: Blayde

Blayde — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:31:26 +0000

Hey Lain and Amelia,

So how did it work out? Did she come to the museum and find out the facts?

By: Wayne

Wayne — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:39:42 +0000

As the old saying goes, you catch more flies with sugar. I’d take a lesson from ol’ Brer Rabbit himself. If after the visit, your guest wants a debate, just nod and say, “uh-huh”. When the guest gets no argument, so will end the contention. If not, tell the guest about the fisy-fotsy figaloo fish in the cool well out back. Or about the laffin’ place. Or how you wuz borned in the briar patch.

By: Amma

Amma — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:35:39 +0000

you say “believe me miss, we have heard these rumors time and time again…which is why it’s our mission to provide actual facts about the legend of JCH. We usually take time to address the majority of the rumours and answer questions at the end of our tour. Please feel free to come and visit between the hours of and and have an open dialogue with someone in our knowledgable staff.” which means “we have heard all of this crap before, shut up long enough and you might learn something, and don’t forget to tip!”

By: David

David — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:34:14 +0000

I think it’s a ‘I think you are quite mistaken about JCH, and you would get a lot out of a visit to the Wren’s Nest and some conversations with the staff’ situation. Then make sure you have your ducks in a row for the visit-be prepared to talk about and demonstrate various facts, such as how the Wren’s Nest came to be a museum, the paintings in JCH’s room showing his feelings towards African Americans, etc. Sounds like you’d have a very interested (although negative) visitor.

I would mention being polite, but I know if it’s Lain or Amelia, you will be, and if the tour group ends up being led by Nanny, she’ll set them straight without hesitation

By: Lain

Lain — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:31:39 +0000

Was it 50 Cent or Kanye West who said, “Let the haters hate and watch the money pile up?”

Either way, I think it was this very scenario that inspired that phrase. I’m with griftdrift, Amelia.

By: griftdrift

griftdrift — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:47:27 +0000

My personal philosophy? If crazy people offer to give you money? TAKE IT!

I’d as diplomatically as possible entice them in the door and hope the tour changes their mind.

By the way, this entry really fits your new picture, Amelia.