Comments

1
Why is a bookstore carrying books that it doesn't want people to look at? If the books are legitimate to be published, they're legitimate enough for people to buy them. I agree, look at Jock Sturgis in the kid's section is asking for trouble, and deserves to get it, but just having the book -- or American Girl, or whatever -- is neither a crime nor an offense against whatever it is they're supposing it's an offense against.

As for the last letter writer, screw you. I've spent lots of time in kids' sections buying books for my nieces, and no, I don't want your help, and no, it's none of your goddamn business. If I'm ogling or touching the kids, arrest me, but you'd better be fucking sure.

Fear of pedophilia is a more widespread problem than pedophilia.
2
So, a true & appalling story: I worked in a toy store in the early 90s and we sold anatomically correct (which means they had genitals) baby dolls. My coworker and I caught a man fondling a doll & jacking himself off. Booted him from the store for life, but didn't otherwise follow up. I mean, maybe this whole thing falls under some "safe outlet" (better a doll than a kid) and maybe he didn't have the bucks to buy these $85 dolls. Still, beating off in a toy store is pretty wrong all by itself.
3
What's next? Denying men access to the "chick lit" section because we are likely to rape any females we find there?

As a man who regularly shops alone in the Kids' section (because I buy books for my elementary school-aged children), I would be offended if asked to leave.

The better solution would be to do what Nordstrom does to deter shoplifting--just keep an eye on certain shoppers (in the name of better customer service, of course).
4
People still buy books in bookstores?
5
I'm with @3, on another level: I, a single adult, often shop in the kids section...of French-language bookstores. It's part of how I'm learning French, and I'm at a middle-school reading level right now.

I would not be surprised at all to learn that new immigrants are going to kids' sections and picking up picture books to help learn English as a second language. In fact, in volunteer work, I've helped them do exactly that.

So yeah, the extreme situation does seem very extreme. Which is not to take away from the rest of this post--it's a line I'm happy I never have to draw, because thought police vs creepy, possibly-felonious customers is never a fun game to play.
6
This pisses me off pretty vigorously.

Yes, the store has the right to refuse service to anyone, but the store had damnn well better be ready for an ugly scene if the refusal of service is based upon assumption and no solid proof.

Women can't be pedophiles? Good to know that I can browse the kids section with impunity whatever my motives may be. Am I selecting a book for my child? Maybe, maybe not, but I can be there regardless because I don't have a dick. There's justice for you.

I did, however, have to chuckle about the magazine selection. It reminded me of the first time I bought condoms. At the grocery store, not wanting to stand in line with just a pack of condoms in my hand, so I grabbed items at random--a pair of shoelaces, a can of whipped cream, a few bananas, a box of tampons, and a pack of condoms. The cashier looked at my selections, and asked "big night?" Maybe the guy felt a little emasculated picking up American Girl magazine and got a girlie mag to compensate.
7
A bookstore is a place where you buy books. It's not place where you sit around and read books. Hence "store" in the name. Kick out the Sturges reader and kick out the kids as well. They aren't buying anything. They are sitting around being read to from stock and serving as dominant vectors in the fecal oral route of so many noxious pathogens.
8
...will always rage on for as long as there are bookstores.

So for another year or two, then?
9
Also like when a father buys his kid a book for his birthday it's supposed to be a surprise so you go there without the kid and look around...

...why the fuck do I even need to explain this? Probably wasn't a real bookseller anyway who said that nonsense.
10
What, is it not an option that they let the police know and let them handle it? Presumably they may have his information if he's a repeat customer or if he's ever used a card to pay for something. If nothing else, an employee can follow him outside and jot down his license plate number.
11
Others have already been there, but it's fucking bullshit and really damaging to treat all men like potential pedophiles.
12
Fuck the children's section; if you REALLY want to see pedos in action, check out the manga shelves-they're full of comics that look like they were made for kids, or teen girls, but that were actually developed for the adult male market back in ol' Zippang...and don't the deviants know it! Just about any day of the week, a few minute's observation will turn up at least one obviously middle-aged guy, trying to act cool as he works up the nerve to open a copy of "Strawberry Marshmallow", or "Dance to the Vampire Bund". I mean, come on buddy: I know you're a pedo, you know you're a pedo, and you can be damn sure that the kids reading alongside you, not to mention the staff, know...well, you get the picture. Anyway, anyone who works or spends time at B & N, or Border's, and has eyes to see, already knows that there's no point in worrying about making those places too enticing for pervs; they already are, and it's one of their bigger money-spinners that makes them so.
13
In re # 7: "not to read books.."

Hmm, do you realize what the concept of "browse" is in relation to bookstores, don't you?

And if the stores didn't want people to be able to read through the books, why do some of them (such as Borders & B&N) supply comfy chairs?

Letting the customer actually *read* some of the content for themselves before making the buy is good consumer sense.

And will make the customer a repeat buyer.

But, then, You may suppose that Amazon should be the apex of the book-buying experience.
14
Yes, men don't belong in the children's section just like women don't belong in the science, business, politics, computers, technology, engineering, architecture, history, medical, law, sports, or travel sections. If you see a woman in these sections, please report her immediately.

As you know, any unescorted woman in a bookstore without a child is probably a prostitute just like a man alone in the kids section is probably a pedophile.

For the good of society we must maintain rigid gender identities, and "for the sake of the children" we must always assume that single people are engaged in sex crimes whenever and wherever they may be.

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