Bookstore bans in-store photography after “fake bookworms” just go in for photos and leave without buying

A bookshop in the Philippines, BookFellas, took to Facebook its thought about people going into the shop just to snap a photo of them pretending to read books, then leave without buying a single book.

The owner wrote that the store will no longer allow such practice since it has become a trend among posers. The owner described it as a ‘hit and run’.

While some simply take a pose and snap, others pretend to browse around as if they are real bookworms. Then, leave without buying or even inquiring.

The bookstore owner said they are somehow grateful that people find the shop “Instagrammable”. However, since it has become almost uncontrollable, the owner eventually finds it annoying, stating the fact that they don’t open the shop for Instagram purposes.

Additionally, the owner quantified that s/he does not support their “phoniness”, strongly affirming “We do not need them here and we do not want them here.”

Here’s the full post:

Netizens have mixed opinions. Some suggest that posers are good in a way that they freely advertise the business.

Some side with the owner and believe that such a practice should stop.

The BookFellas store owner, in the end, apologizes to real bookworms.