Note that it wasn't that the store was somehow incompetent, it's that doing something as simple & normal as selling a book after 6PM is illegal. Giving away brewed-in-house coffee is illegal. I'm having trouble articulating how profoundly outrageous this is, how self-destructive a country is which not only enacts such regulations but, it seems, tolerates it.
If mere sale of a book is prohibited during any hours (much less perfectly reasonable & normal hours), outsiders will find it hard to extend sympathy and aid to a country so keen on destroying its own economy via absurd legislation and citizens so willing to comply. I'm glad to help the needy, but that stops quick when the recipient won't quit obviously self-destructive behavior.
Unreal.
Note that it wasn't that the store was somehow incompetent, it's that doing something as simple & normal as selling a book after 6PM is illegal. Giving away brewed-in-house coffee is illegal. I'm having trouble articulating how profoundly outrageous this is, how self-destructive a country is which not only enacts such regulations but, it seems, tolerates it.
If mere sale of a book is prohibited during any hours (much less perfectly reasonable & normal hours), outsiders will find it hard to extend sympathy and aid to a country so keen on destroying its own economy via absurd legislation and citizens so willing to comply. I'm glad to help the needy, but that stops quick when the recipient won't quit obviously self-destructive behavior.