A+P

I just read A+P by John Updike, a somewhat controversial story about respect and sensitivity. Three girls walk into a store wearing bikinis, which is disrespectful because it is showing that they don't think the store matters. The kid at the counter took note of the girls and didn't appreciate how they were dressed, but he kept it to himself. The manager came out and got really offended because he thinks his store deserves more respect. The store isn't in a tourist town, or by a beach so their bikinis are inappropriate. Sammy, the cashier, gives each girl a name based on the way they look or act around their friends. Queenie, Plaid, and Big Tall Goonie Goonie are scanning through the store and leave very embarrassed. The manager, Lengel, comes out and scolds them for their behavior and they leave in a hurry. At the end of the story, Sammy quits because he is appalled by the way the manager reacted. I was surprised by the way Lengel reacted, because it's business no matter who the consumer is. I do agree that Queenie, Plaid, and Big Tall Goonie Goonie are disrespectful to the store because it's not that type of town. My favorite part of the story was when Sammy described the girls and their bathing suits. "There was a chunky one, with the two piece- it was bright green and the seems on the bra were still sharp and her belly was still pretty pale so I guessed that she just got it (the suit)." He notices specific detail and describes it very well. I found humor in this story, I really enjoyed it.