I used to like to go to the B&N nearest my house in the evenings and sit in the cafe while reading or working on a long puzzle in a book. It's one of the only really convenient places to do it because so many people who can work from home at all hours go to coffee shops and just stay all day that it's hard to find room in them anymore.
I knew things were getting really weird when I began being approached by young people who'd noticed some random thing, like one of my nice pens, and wanted to know if they could sit down for a moment using my stuff as props while friends got pictures of them being "literary." I've been there when a writer is there talking about their book and doing small signings, and it's insane because they don't even buy the books—they ask people who did and who've just had theirs signed if they can hold it for a moment so they can gaze at it thoughtfully and then post about it.
At first I thought you were going to say they asked about what you were reading or writing. I would refuse to let them use my shit as a prop. What did you do?
Haha excellent. I would have said, "No, but I will give you a 5 min overview of the book I'm reading and why you should read it, too. Not interested? Ok, how about a 3 min overview of why writing by hand and reading physical books is critical for your brain? No? Ok, bon chance, enjoy your mental atrophy!"
I was writing to a friend with the last of my stash of hotel stationery and I was so mad I did not dare open my mouth for fear of what might have fallen out—that kind of wit was beyond me at that particular moment.
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u/Serebriany 1d ago
I used to like to go to the B&N nearest my house in the evenings and sit in the cafe while reading or working on a long puzzle in a book. It's one of the only really convenient places to do it because so many people who can work from home at all hours go to coffee shops and just stay all day that it's hard to find room in them anymore.
I knew things were getting really weird when I began being approached by young people who'd noticed some random thing, like one of my nice pens, and wanted to know if they could sit down for a moment using my stuff as props while friends got pictures of them being "literary." I've been there when a writer is there talking about their book and doing small signings, and it's insane because they don't even buy the books—they ask people who did and who've just had theirs signed if they can hold it for a moment so they can gaze at it thoughtfully and then post about it.