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Common sense things a surprising amount of people have problems with

I am a student at University of British Columbia, and like all other students at this university, there are times when I need to study. There are many places where I can study, and one location that I like to study at is Irving K. Barber (IKB or Irving) Learning Centre. Now maybe it's a bit unclear, because it doesn't say in its name, but this is a library. At a library, there are certain behaviours that are unacceptable. Even if it happens to be IKB. 

Peoples of UBC, it has come to my attention that you are confused. I am here to help you. This is for those who have forgotten that Irving is a library. Maybe you don't know what being in a library or certain public places. Maybe you have zero common sense and/or understanding of social conduct. In that case, this blog post is for you. Don't be ashamed. Just read this and stop bothering me when I'm trying to study.

Disclaimer: if you have any common sense you probably don't need to read this.

So pretty!

Main/Open areas of Irving

I get it. You're at Irving, the "chill" library where it's "okay to talk". We know. We all know. Because everyone in the entire room can hear you. I'm not saying that you can't talk at all, but there is a difference between talking quietly and you (and five of your friends) talking loudly about what you did last weekend or how awesome that movie is. 

• Do talk if you have to. But do it quietly. 

• Don't yell/talk in a very loud voice/have a party. I don't care that it's Irving. Shut up.

If you've been studying diligently for several hours you may want to take a break. Maybe you go on Facebook, talk (quietly) with a friend or watch a funny video. Maybe it's not a funny video because nothing is funny and life is serious, so it's super intellectual and interesting and you're learning. I don't know, I don't care and preferably, I would like to stay unaware. If you watch a video without headphones, I do not stay unaware (which is a problem). Maybe you are just this ignorant, but if you watch a video without headphones in a public place, surrounded by people, and you can hear it, everyone else can too. Unless you are Hermione Granger (or I guess, any other competent witch or wizard) and can put up a privacy spell, you need to either turn off the sound or use headphones. This is not an option, no questions, I don't want to hear it.

• Don't ever watch videos without headphones. Seriously.

Studious UBC students at Irving K Barber

Surprisingly, this extends past videos to other activities such as playing games on your phone with the sound on (Flappy Bird! ding! ding! ding!), playing games on your computer (including sounds from game and excessive clicking of mice (clickclickclickclickclickclick), and listening to music. Do not do any of these things either.

If you at any point during this post felt like you learned something new about the library, what I say next might come as a surprise. One of the main reasons that people go to the library is to study. Another common reason is to find/read books. (?!?) Both these activities are usually conducted in silence. "What about socializing?" you ask me. Sure, libraries are great places to build community. However, when the library in question at a university, and the tables are clearly set up as study places, please, please, find another place to eat your lunch and catch up with your friends. Our campus is huge, and there are several designated student spaces (e.g. Student Union Building) where you can socialize and if you really need to stay in Irving, why not go to Ike's? Please.

The Ridington room aka "Harry Potter room"

Book stacks/Silent rooms/Ridington room
The silent study spaces are more restricted than the group study spaces. Here's some quick dos and don'ts.

• Do study silently by yourself
• Do breathe
• Do blow your nose if you need (we do not want to hear you sniffling)

This is basically all you should have to do when you are in the stacks. Most other activities are don'ts. Especially the following:

• Don't take phone calls/talk loudly. It's a silent study space
• Don't cuddle up when "studying"/kiss every two seconds/make out in the stacks. Just no
• Don't eat really loud/smelly food

Okay I'm way done with this topic. If you haven't gotten it by now, it's a lost cause. I give up. Did I miss your worst pet peeve at IKB. Comment or whatever.

Stay tuned for the next post in "Hannah Barath cannot fucking deal: A guide to use public washrooms".

Peace