Quick observation/vetting of friends...

We have a long entry foyer, with the stairs on the left side and a long, narrowish hall that deadends. I have ten foot tall bookshelves running the length of the 20 foot hall. At the moment, it is upon these shelves that I keep the significant material we have on hand (items of lesser value are boxed and stored). It makes for a lovely entrance to the house...largely comprised of fine bindings, early material in exceptional condition, first editions in Brodarted DJ...literary/historical significance notwithstanding, it is an aesthetically appealing wall.

I have been noticing, of late, peoples' reaction when they enter the house. There are three general reactions (from non-dealers): 1) complete engagement/deer in headlights - those who suffer our affliction stare in rapt engagement, eyes darting from one spine to another (my personal favorite); 2) obligatory compliment - sees the books, knows they are "nice" and says something equally "nice" (the slightly more sophisticated of this group will quickly scan for a title they recognize and ask a directed follow-up question)...they are not really book lovers, but are polite enough and/or know enough of books to recognize that the shelves are special; 3) willful blindness - this group does not look at the books, comment upon them or in any way acknowledge their existence...it is as if they have decided that anything bound in boards is beneath their purview and/or is intimidating to the point where the only recourse is to ignore the offending volumes existence.

I have decided that I should vet my friends by how they react to this wall. We have friends who are highly educated otherwise charming people (lawyers, a doctor and a CPA) who fall into category "3"...I just don't trust them anymore, there is something missing deep in their souls. Anyone who has the "1"...or even the "2"...reaction can stay (1s, because they share the disease and 2s because they are at least well behaved enough to offer the compliment and are thus likely well mannered enough to be pleasant company).

Our UPS delivery guy is a "1". I love how his eyes devour the shelves as I am signing the electronic pad...how he kibitzes with me about books until he finally says that he has to go (I'll chat with him as long as he likes)...how he chides me to ship more via UPS so he can stop by more often. I'll take 15 minutes chatting with him over a long dinner discussing the finer points of golf/sailing/organic gardening any day.

[Please note, the foregoing is clearly a gross generalization. I am aware that some very fine people are not of the bookish sort. I am well aware of my profoundly deep and varied character flaws that would make me an unsavory guest to many friends were they to enforce a similarly arbitrary vetting process. That said, if you are not bookish, you had best know some good jokes, cook well or dance with gusto.]