obnoxious people at the library: a history

[pauraque_bk]

The library in my new city is pretty nice, and usually quiet-ish. I understand that people no longer expect silence in libraries, which is sad, but I don't expect it anymore.

That said: I was studying in a room with about 10 other people who were also reading or studying, and actually everyone was being totally silent.

Two people, a man and a woman, walked up to the doorway of the room and started having a VERY LOUD conversation about someone they knew who was sick, detailing their symptoms at considerable length. AND VOLUME. I waited about five minutes, figuring this couldn't go on *that* much longer, and it just kept going on. And on. And on.

(This may not have had anything to do with it, but by far the closest person to them (actually they had parked themselves about two feet from him) was a black guy reading in a chair, occasionally glaring at them. It would have been horribly annoying either way, but this just made the picture worse, to have these white people totally oblivious to how they were being SO RUDE to a non-white person, as though he didn't exist. But I digress.)

Eventually I walked up to them and said, "Hey, there are a lot of people trying to study in here, and we can hear your conversation. Maybe you didn't realize that."

The woman said, rather indignantly, "We work here."

Seriously? I am very glad that I thought quickly enough to reply, "Then you should know better."

They didn't have the decency to look chastised, but at least they left and went into the closed area for library staff.

I'm tempted to write a note to the head librarian or something. I'm not much of a complainer either (the only time I've actually ever complained at a library was when some boys were making racist remarks to a girl and I wanted to get them thrown out), but omg. So terrible.

Comments

[thimble-kiss.livejournal.com]

Argh, that's so thoughtless and rude! And they were staff and didn't realise this, even after it was pointed out? Just ... wow. But go you for saying something. :/

[gmth.livejournal.com]

Good on you! I would have been the person sitting there silently fuming. I hope the rest of the room appreciated it.

[atdelphi.livejournal.com]

Good on you - and definitely write a note.

[laurelwood.livejournal.com]

I really admire the way you approached those people- usually, when I get to the point where I'm irritated enough to confront someone, I've lost all ability to be civil. But you worded it so nicely. And "Then you should know better"- beyond perfect.

[wootsauce.livejournal.com]

oh, SNAP. They got told.
Also, it really annoys me that people aren't quiet in libraries anymore. I don't expect SILENCE, but there are often groups of rambunctious and downright loud people at my library.
I won't begrudge the library any business it gets, though.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_hannelore/]

This.

I always went to libraries as a kid because I figured it was the last place I could go that would actually be quiet. It sucks when it isn't. :|

[bardsmaid.livejournal.com]

Good for you for saying something. So often these days rudeness is just put up with... if recognized at all. No doubt those in the room with you breathed a sigh of relief when the noisy ones took their conversation elsewhere. I think writing a note is a good idea, too.

[bowdlerized.livejournal.com]

PWNED!!!

PS Did you change your phone number? I tried to call you when you guyz were in NYC and I didn't get _hannelore right away, but it was all "wrong number!"

[pauraque]

My old cell is cancelled (it didn't cover VT at all) and I don't have a new one yet, but _hannelore's still should be the same.