DEAR ABBY: My wife and I walk the mall most days, and our route usually takes us through a bookstore where we enjoy coffee in the coffee shop attached to it. Every time we go we see one particular couple sitting there reading the books and magazines but never bothering to buy anything.
The place is not a library. These bookstores are striving to stay alive and make a profit.
I’m torn about whether to approach the couple or the management, or to let them continue abusing the generosity of the store by never making a purchase. — MALL PATROL
DEAR MALL PATROL: Do not take it upon yourselves to shame that couple, which could lead to an ugly argument.
Your efforts would be better spent if you talk to the store manager about what you have observed and let that person handle it from there. (For all we know, the “offenders” may be Mr. Barnes and Ms. Noble.)
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
First, how do they know these people never buy anything? They might buy books on a regular basis. The coffee shop is there as a convenience to the book customers - not the other way around. Geesh.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
That couple could do other things related to the store, write book reviews, host a book club. Anything.
Is it really hard to mind your own business these days?
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
I left a book accidentally at the airport that I was so close to the end, I thought about reading the last chapter in the store instead of buying the book all over again.
I just think it's great book stores don't generally have public bathrooms.
Another reason I don't go to the library, I've seen people carry a book in to the bathroom and come out an hour later, then put that book back on a shelf.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
I just think it's great book stores don't generally have public bathrooms.
Another reason I don't go to the library, I've seen people carry a book in to the bathroom and come out an hour later, then put that book back on a shelf.
Any bookstore I've ever been in has a bathroom. And bookstores with a coffee shop are required by law to have a bathroom.
But they all have signs not to take un-purchased merchandise in the restrooms.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
I'm not sure what the issue is here because Barnes and Noble allows, or did allow, people to sit and read in the store. They had really comfortable seating as well.
People reading books at a bookstore! OMG! I am bit surprised a man is so bothered by this. Assuming this is a man as a married couple from the op. However, maybe not, But, if it is, this seems to be something women would be more bothered by. '
But, if the store doesnt' care, then why is it his business?
So ... they sit there and watch all these people from the time said people entered the store to the time said people exited the store? Is it not possible they bought the book/magazine prior to sitting down or are intending to buy it after having their coffee?
So ... they sit there and watch all these people from the time said people entered the store to the time said people exited the store? Is it not possible they bought the book/magazine prior to sitting down or are intending to buy it after having their coffee?
I think the offense is not ordering coffee and daring to read in the coffeeshop part of the store.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
So ... they sit there and watch all these people from the time said people entered the store to the time said people exited the store? Is it not possible they bought the book/magazine prior to sitting down or are intending to buy it after having their coffee?
I think the offense is not ordering coffee and daring to read in the coffeeshop part of the store.
I could understand being irritated by that, I hate trying to find a table somewhere and almost all of them occupied by someone not eating or drinking something.
A lot of people take liberties now and think the rules do not apply to them. So, i understand that is frustrating for people who follow the rules. You do get tired of being a schmuck while others help themselves to whatever the hell they please.
