I swear, there's a luxury in being constantly surrounded by books and people who simply understand what you mean. A shorthand emerges, incoherent babble transforming into a string of words and references that unexpectedly reveal yourself. For instance, a customer bought a copy of Raymond Carver's What We Talk About When We Talk About Love yesterday. In the usual Booksmith style, I said how much I loved the book. "You'll have a good time with it!" I said cheerily, and immediately covered my mouth. "I mean, you know, good time probably isn't the best way to put it with the subject matter but--"
"I know what you mean." the customer replied, and laughed.
No further explanations are needed, you know what I mean.
