I'm probably about a decade late with this rant, but could someone please tell me when it became okay to treat bookstores like bus stations? I know you know what I'm talking about. You're perusing the aisles -- and this happens everywhere here in Manhattan, from Barnes & Noble and Shakespeare & Co. through St. Mark's Books and The Strand -- when suddenly you find yourself tripping over someone who has seen fit to plunk down right in the middle of the floor to seemingly read a book from cover to cover as if on the floor of his or her own apartment. Pardon me, but what the fuck is up with that? I know bookstores are generally quiet, calm places, but they're not fuckin' libraries! How is allowing this trend beneficial, efficient or cost-effective for the business? Barnes & Noble often provide comfy chairs and long tables at which to do this. I'm not decrying that necessarily (although I don't really understand it either -- if I can come and read a book in its entirety at your bookstore, why should I bother buying it?) I'm talking about the folks who feel completely comfortable sitting on the floor and reading, oblivious and/or inconsiderate of the fact that they're impeding other customers' paths. There's a time and place to curl up with a good book -- BUT THIS AIN'T IT!
BUY THE DAMN BOOK AND GET THE HELL OUT OF THE WAY, BIBLIOSQUATTERS!
People suck.
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