Combini Browsing
It is common in Japanese convenience stores (combinis) to see a number of people reading magazines and comics without actually buying them. One guy I know goes for his lunchbreak each day and reads a Manga comic. Occasionally he buys one, but usually he just reads them in the store, standing up and the staff never complain.
The reason seems to be that the Manga comic readers get so engrossed in the stories that if they are disturbed, they are liable to flip out and attack the Combini staff. According to this article from the BBC, a 70-year old man was recently disturbed in this way and threatened staff with a chainsaw, before calmly carrying on reading his comic.
Combini Readers:
WARNING: DO NOT DISTURB!!!
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some time I do join this “tadayomi”,but some of ppl take pic of pages and send it as e-mail frm cell.this will get complane frm shopkeeper.otherwise convini is with full ac,very nice spot :D
Tadayomi: free reading; nice…
People take photos of the pages? That’s funny.
To the best of my knowledge, the reason staff doesn’t strongly discourage tachiyomi is that they want the store to be seen as crowded. Which is also why you always find magazines located next to the window, resulting in the perennial “line of people standing” view to the outside world.
As for taking pics with your keitai, I think that’s still a marginal habit, and most definitely prohibited.
Interesting perspective… I noted that in downtown DC, a lot of folks are engaged in tadayomi also AND the magazine section is near the front window of the Borders at Metropolitan Square, where I used to work. Not true in our convini, though… tadayomi will get you thrown out, at least at the convini’s in Prince Georges County in Maryland.
I checked with some friends, and Dr Dave is right, the stores like people there to make the place look popular. I’m surprised they allow it in DC as well, but maybe it’s not on the same scale there.
Seems that only one book store I frequent in DC really allows it - the Borders on the corner of 14th and F Street NW. The magazine section is on the 14th street side (busiest side), and the place ALWAYS looks packed.
I agree that it is to make the store appear bustling, but I have also been told that the continual presence of human bodies discourages hold-ups and theft.