US Thrift Store Archetypes, shamelessly copied off the Alibris.com members-only message board:
 
"(Names abbreviated/changed to protect the innocent): TC: Alleged Viet Nam veteran who rarely bathes, sweats profusely, and wears the remains of his decades-old beret. It looks like a rotting carcass tied precariously around his head. I've been warned that TC is a nice guy who knows books and music, but will "suddenly freak out on you." Speaking of stinky people: Bowel Guy is skinny as a stick, wears glasses that are so big that I'm surprised his body can support them. He's way too concerned about his bowels, and is always talking about the benefits of eating oatmeal. Billy Goat: Buys only Louis Lamour paperbacks. Says he stores all of his books in a storage unit because he's not ready to sell them yet. He's been buying books for years. He won't sell his books online either. Says he doesn't "even own a computer." Guy in Linen Pants: Admits he hoards things, and that he has an OCD for dictionaries. Know-It-All: As a child, he discovered Japanese soldiers hiding in the forest near his home. He has studied magic with a famous magician whose name he can't recall. Actually, he has studied lots of things with lots of famous people, whose names he can't recall. Then there's my favorite: The Book Savior who buys all the really old books to save them from going to the dump. He says he knows he has a problem, and that his friends are starting to doubt his sanity. But I'm glad guys like him exist. Anyway, they are all harmless weirdos--except for TC?--and it's sometimes amusing to talk to them. Wonder what they say about me? Aren't I one of them?"

- posted by cjb @ 12:22 PM