I think it's a sign!

I wonder at times why this store even bothers with posting signs. Cast your eyes around and at least half a dozen will be in view. Nonetheless, customers never seem to notice them.

The arcade is presaged by a large brightly printed sign in friendly, easily read text and big, friendly arrow to offer direction. It is a daily occurrence that some budding detective will approach the counter and inquire about where the arcade might lurk.

Movie sections boast nice little placards proclaiming what variety of videos or product is to be found at such a location. And yet, I will have someone wander around the floor a few times and ask me where a handful of sections are. Missing one or two in the initial foray I can understand, but when it's a huge, distinct section or they're asking after six or more, I wonder how they manage to maintain respiration.

I have watched people attempt to open doors that are marked as staff only and look surprised to find the door locked. Once or twice, a patron has turned to me and complained they couldn't get in. Nothing like the surreal feeling of an alleged homo sapiens directly facing a sign at eye level and asking me expressly what the bloody sign is designed to answer.

It doesn’t just happen inside either. I had a guy come in remarking he had never noticed the store before. He went on to say we should paint the store bright chartreuse* so it would stand out and grab attention. He almost keeled over when I told him in fact the store is painted in such a garish fashion.

We have lit open signs. I have yet to know if they serve any purpose other than ambience. People will still attempt to wander into the store before it opens in the morning. People will still knock on the door in confusion after closing. Posted store hours and the sign turned off only inches from their nose are often too obscure for their brains to encompass.

I fear eventually every store will actually be a Skinner box. Every employee operating esoteric patterns ingrained by negative reinforcement. Customers shuffling the aisles and hitting the bright, sparkly products without any higher brain function.

*Color potentially erroneous for reasons particular to the author.