Today, I had a book come up with this condition -

I am not willing to accept books that have been in an environment where cats have been smoking.  Actually... that sounds interesting.  Okay: I strongly prefer books from an environment where cats have been smoking.  [NB: some people have found this confusing, so: light smoker books yes, heavy smoker books no, cat smoker books: priceless.]

Now, I'm a fairly intelligent person, but the first paragraph threw me.  No books from a heavy smoker's home.  Got it.  But why is the cat thrown in there?  Does that mean the person doesn't want books from a home with cats?  It doesn't read that way, but why is it there? 

And my solution was to not take the risk and deny the request.

If this was you, I apologize, but please, word your conditions so they are clear.  Being cute and clever is great, but it may lead to you being skipped when your wishlisted books are posted.

I'm going to presume the requester was trying to be clever, parodying a number of the condition issues that have come up recently.  In this case, being clever probably cost her/him a book.  Cute parodies of condition requests would probably be fine in the CMT forum.  In your actual request though?  Hmmmm.  Either a practical joke or someone who forgot to remove a practical joke aimed at someone else?

I thought it was quite humorous and light-hearted.  I get that she doesn't want books from a heavy smoker.  She doesn't want books with high-lighting or writing in them (again those are PBS guidelines.)  She wants a PM if it is ex-library.  And you would just make her day if you'd wrap it in plastic first.

I'd definitely send to that person and I think she has a great attitude toward the whole thing.

I think they simply are concerned with getting books from homes with smoking cats! hahahaha Since I'm sure you don't have any of those, I wouldn't worry about it. BUT, you are probably right that they should add something in there that regular cats are not a problem (or are, as the case may be).

She sounds like someone I'd love to know - what a sense of humor!!!!!!  And I'd never refuse her a book!   I would wait with anticipation to get a "thank you" from her.  Anyone who has that kind of imagination needs to be encourged!!  lol      For those of you who don't GET it - there have been so many complaints about conditions that she made hers fun to read.   And I thought easy to understand at the same time.   Wish I could find her a book that had been read by a cat who smoked!!   <sigh>  Why is the cat in there???? Just for the FUN of it!!

what about smoking dogs?!  must not discriminate!  LOL

I guess too many years of law school and working as a lawyer made me read too much into it.  I did see the humor, but personally, I've seen some poorly worded conditions.  I'm not going to risk sending her a book that's heavily wishlisted if there's a chance it doesn't fit her conditions.  She's next in line, she can get it from someone else.  I'm a non-smoker, so I end up sending a lot of books to people who have conditions regarding smoking.  I don't mind conditions.  I just would like them to be as clear as possible

I can see your point, Megan, and I think she'll lose a few requests along the way.   I do agree that she's got a great sense of humor about it all, though, lol.

Yeah its cute and clever but its gonna cost him/her books in the long run. I wouldnt accept it because within all the witisisms there really are conditions and Im not sure if my cat smokes when Im not here.

The other risk I could see,  is that someone not realize there ARE conditions in there and think the whole thing is meant to be funny. 

My cat smokes and wears perfume,  I think she spilled some coffee on a few books too.  Damn cat.

LOL Great sense of humor I would send her books.  Unfortunately my cat doesn't smoke, he's too busy surfing for porn on the computer when I'm not home.  We have two bunnies as well, but I won't let them read my books anymore.,... carrot finger prints on all the page edges!

My cats are ex-smokers, they are the worst. When I light up they now try to talk me out of it. I even found patches in my bathroom last week. As far as the pretty colored highlighters, my dog prefers the purple, but I have wrapped them in plastic wrap and put them away until the puppies start school next fall.

Lighten up guys, they are books we are trading for heaven's sake, not kidneys!! (Not even cat kidneys, or even kidney beans)

OH YUCK - carrot finger prints?????  How DARE you????  I hope you know those are NOT postable per the rules!!!    ROFL  thanks for the fun ya'll - nice to see something lightened up around here!!

Smoking cats?  No wonder my prima donna feline thinks she's "hot"! :-)

I love the last part they put in there about plastic wrap making them smile and bathe so everyone wins!

I'd definately send to that person and pm them about their clever and funny conditions.

Uh, guys, read my profile, the last line.  It's been that way forever...

I would take that as a bright, cheerful point of my day and send her the book gladly, especially since she would consider it priceless.  After all the complaints about cranky, nasty, around-the bend requests, I find this refreshing and applaud her sense of humor.  I might even include one of my cat books for free!

I would SO send this person a book. Those conditions are hilarious.

I actually thought the person was quite specific in their conditions.

"some people have found this confusing, so: light smoker books yes, heavy smoker books no, cat smoker books: priceless.]

The only books I really can't accept are those with highlighting, underlining, or marginalia.  Unless you use insanely pretty colors, or have, like, awesome handwriting.  And I'd appreciate hearing about library discards beforehand "

They will accept books from a light smoker, but not a heavy smoker, the cat is a joke and totally irrelvent since no one is going to have a smoking cat.

Highlighting, underlining, and writing in the margin isn't allowed anyway, so it doesn't matter what color you use. And I see nothing wrong with asking to be notified of an ex-library book. All sounds rather well-spelled out to me, and a darn sight friendlier and more pleasant to read than any others I've ever read! Kudos to them for a great sense of humor!

I swapped with that person, I thought it was a hoot.  I don't think my cats smoke, but maybe they do when I'm not there.

I guess I see the humor, but frankly, that is much too long. Just list your conditions a be done with it. One paragraph in I'd have already rejected that request because they say one thing, then another, and well, my handwriting IS terrible... ;-)

Gee whiz, I thought the POST was a joke!

I rpobably would have just PM'd the person to check on smoking guns. . .

I would love to get a book from that person because they also may use something creative to send the books in like a "Sugar Smacks" cereal box (after carefully wrapping in plastic, of course!) .

All sounds rather well-spelled out to me

Sherry, I think this part is just a matter of opinion/preference.  Are the conditions there? Yep.  Can  you  find them if you want to? Yep. ,  Do you have to sort through the whimsy to find them?  Yep, and for some of us that's the problem.  It's not that they aren't funny, they absolutely are and it's not personal against this poster (I bet she's a ton of fun, in fact! lol) it's that we don't want to have to fish out the part that IS conditions from the part that's not.   In all honesty, I'd be one of those people that found it too long to deal with right off.....

I think it's hilarious.... especially knowing cats...  I would be delighted to swap with her and anyone else who has a sense of humor.  I don't think my cats smoke either, but I know they are doppers totally addicted to catnip.  (Catnip only included with my books by request.)