Paris Record Shop Puts a Cat in Charge and the Instant Regret Is Too Real

Paris Record Shop Puts a Cat in Charge and the Instant Regret Is Too Real

Sara Lydon

Sat, January 10, 2026 at 3:05 PM UTC

2 min read

Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.

Generate Key Takeaways

There's a record store in Paris that didn't exactly "appoint" a manager. There were no name tags given, no titles bestowed. However, they did let a cat perch on top of one of the most tempting spots in the store. One where customers are drawn to -- thumbing through the records looking for their prized "white whale". You know, the coveted vinyl they haven't been able to find elsewhere.

Anyone who collects vinyl knows that feeling. My husband has a running list of records he's been chasing for years. Vinyl collectors are driven.

No one rushed to move the cat as customers came though and did what customers do --stopping, browsing, reaching. The video shows how this decision plays out once people start crossing into the cat's personal radius, where albums within arm's reach suddenly operate under a very different set of rules. Take a look at this very different idea of "customer service."

OWIE! Apparently, the customer was doing it all wrong. A viewer noted, "Do not touch the merchandise. Ask and he will get it for you." Hmm, makes sense. Another commenter theory: "He just finished straightening those and knew damn well you were not going to buy anything. Crashout valid."

Other folks just said this is standard Parisian customer service and no one should be surprised. "That’s the French for you." "Average Parisian customer service, to be honest."

Why Cats Always Sit on the One Thing You’re Trying To Use

Image via Shutterstock/Wirestock Creators

As I'm writing this, my cat deleted an entire paragraph, so I'm operating with 100% authority on this topic. Cats aren't being spiteful, though. They're just strategic and brilliant. Whatever you have is warm, it smells like you, and you're super focused on it, so it must be super awesome! Add in the fact that cats have territorial instinct and wham-o! It's theirs!

In super busy places like record stores (bookstores, bodegas -- wherever you're likely to see a cat) that instinct doesn't go away, it just applies to different items. Like books and records and groceries. Wherever people are applying attention -- it's catnip and we all know how cats feel about that!

In this case, it was pretty clear that once this cat sat on those records, they planted their little flag and staked their claim. Every hand that reached without permission was a total policy violation, punishable by slapping. You might be able to browse, but only on their terms.

🐶SIGN UP to get “pawsitivity” delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends🐾🐾

This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Jan 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

About Our Ads

Source