Student Question
How does the manager react to the girls in bathing suits at the A&P?
Quick answer:
The manager reacts to the three rich girls wearing nothing but bathing suits to the A&P by embarrassing them. Lengel tells them that the store requires “decent” dress. Despite Queenie’s implied insistence that they be excused, he remains firm and stands behind the store’s dress code policy. Although he reveals a crack (nervousness) in his shield of authority, he does not relent.
In “A&P,” three wealthy teenage girls wander through a supermarket in search of fancy herring snacks. Out of place in the store’s working-class family environment, they act entitled by ignoring the dress code of nearly any public area outside of a swimming pool or beach (which is five miles away); instead of covering up like everyone else, they march down aisles wearing no clothes except bathing suits. Perhaps they consider a place like the A&P to be not worthy of respect and thus do not bother to put on anything over their bathing suits, as other patrons do.
Although Sammy, other staff members, and customers notice the girls’ lack of dress, they say nothing. The manager Lengel, however, immediately approaches them and states,
Girls, this isn’t the beach.
As the store’s manager, he holds a position of authority to enforce store policy. Also, his background as a Sunday school teacher...
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and his eagle eye that does not “miss much” make him even more vigilant for lapses in morality. When the girls’ leader Queenie explains that they came into the store to purchase fancy snacks—as if their wealth and promise of spending a disproportionate amount of money on one item excuse them for wearing only bathing suits—he does not budge. Lengel repeats,
That's all right … But this isn't the beach.
Protagonist Sammy observes his manager’s calm but somewhat self-important and condescending behavior. Even worse, Lengel gives them a “sad Sunday-school-superintendent stare,” treating them like lost souls needing guidance and salvation.
After Queenie stammers that they were not really shopping but just buying one item, Lengel replies,
That makes no difference … We want you decently dressed when you come in here.
Despite Queenie’s attempt to assert her higher socioeconomic class (and implied privilege of wearing whatever she wants wherever she wishes), Lengel will not be cowed:
Girls, I don't want to argue with you. After this come in here with your shoulders covered. It's our policy.
Lengel refuses to engage with Queenie or allow any argument from her. Leaning on store policy, he asserts his unquestionable authority like the manager he is.
Nonetheless, Lengel reveals a crack in his resolve. Sammy observes that after this exchange, everyone is silent and
nervous, most of all Lengel, who asks me, “Sammy, have you rung up this purchase?”
Despite being rattled by and anxious about this encounter, Lengel will not concede to the embarrassed girls. He tries to carry on with business as usual.