Sunday, January 9, 2011

Taking a Stand at Barnes and Noble


Here's another one.  Someone's got to do it, right?

To Whom it May Concern:

During December, I was at your store purchasing a gift card.  As I approached the checkout counter, I noticed several magazine covers that do not fit our community standard for decency (i.e. those containing scantily clad women).  I immediately thought how glad I was that I hadn’t brought my children shopping that day!  I purchased my gift card and went on my way.

The following week, I requested that a volunteer from our elementary school, where I sit on our PTA board, purchase additional gift cards from your store for prizes for our upcoming Geography Bowl.  After I asked her to do that, I remembered the experience I had with the magazines the week prior.  I realized by giving out the gift cards, we would be bringing elementary school aged children into your store and exposing them to things they do not need or want to see.

I know it would be too much to ask to remove magazines with inappropriate covers and content from your store, but could you please move them away to at least the magazine section, or merely provide covers if they must remain by the checkout counter?  It would make your store a much more comfortable place to shop.

2 comments:

Amanda said...

I don't even notice the magazines unless they have those white plastic boards covering them. Then I look to see what could be so offensive it had to be covered. I'm crazy that way.

Emily said...

So funny! I guess that's a good thing. I got a new bra the other day and left the label on the dresser. The next day, Evan said, there's a lady in her bra on our dresser, you ought to do something about that. Oh yeah! Totally slipped my mind. I don't think I'd even looked at her. Guess it all depends on how much you notice that kind of stuff. Sad part is, some day we'll notice when it gets bad enough and all be shocked!