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Ten Library No-nos

Some library patrons consider their environment a hallowed place, so it is very easy to transgress their expectations of proper behavior.

Here are ten of my favorites.

10. Bringing in food, especially loud, crunchy food like potato chips or peanut brittle, is not welcomed by your fellow library patrons. Be sure to chew with your mouth open and wash it down with something slurpy for maximum effect.

9. Reading aloud from your book or periodical is frowned upon.

8. Humming to yourself is sure to attract a few raised eyebrows. Even tapping your feet to some imaginary beat is an annoyance magnet.

7. Putting your feet up on the table will likely cause a similar reaction, especially if you haven't washed your socks in awhile.

6. Skipping instead of walking always cause the studious to look up from their tomes.

5. Sneezing, coughing, belching or blowing of the nose, either individually or in combination, will make you the target of disdain.

4. Sitting very close to a denizen of the library will definitely lift that denizen out of his/her comfort zone. Works best when the library is uncrowded.

3. Asking what someone is reading, then critiquing their choice unfavorably is no way to make friends in the library.

2. Taking books out of rack every minute or so until they form over-flowing stacks on your table is considered bad etiquette.

1. Running your index finger down each page of your book, spending no more than a second a page, then turning each page with paper-crinkling gusto, will not evoke admiration. Muttering "Very interesting!" at each page turn heightens the effect.

Learn more about this author, Charles Hughes.
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