The comics in the grocery store where I grew up were in a newsstand right next to where the store manager sat at his desk. He'd always be perched at his post when kids came into the store and would tell us that "it wasn't a library" and "if you want to read it, buy it." When I was in college the store owner would frequently tell his customers not to stand in the aisle and read the comics. By then, it was time to start preordering the comics I wanted. I have also never read a comic standing at the rack.

Oh yeah. I've sat for hours in Borders or the like and read TPBs as well.

The most I would do is skim through the comic, looking at the art, perhaps reading a snippet or two of panels, all in an effort to best judge if I wanted to buy it. I would never read the entire issue at the rack though it wasn't because of paranoia over the owner/cashier mainly because it just felt wrong to do so.

The only time I felt real paranoia was when I found this comic on the racks of my local convenience store:



It was the first and only time that I ever saw a Comico title at that local store. I was a fan of Wagner's work, knew this issue was coming out and wanted to read it but completely shocked to see it here. The PG warning across the banner was what caused my paranoia. I was convinced the cashier would do something akin to carding me if I tried to buy it and refuse me. It took nearly 20 minutes for me to muster the courage to approach the counter with it but the cashier simply rang it up along with a few other comics, my soda and candy without a word nor comment. 

 

I'd flip through like most of you have said but can't ever remember reading it.

If it interested me, and I had the money, I'd buy it.

Back in the 80's, I figured Comico would be a long-time player. Shows what I knew.

As a kid, no.

When buying back issues, I'd often ask the shop owner if I could check out the first and last pages to determine if I also needed the previous/next issue, and he always said yes - knowing it usually led to an additional sale.

Today is a different story. For years I thought it was tantamount to stealing, and when music/book stores starting dropping like flies it bolstered my opinion. More recently, I don't mind sitting in Barnes & Noble and speed reading a small trade if it ties into something else I'm currently buying. However I try to find an already beat-up copy that I figure no one will buy anyway. Funny how we justify things...

Seeing as I essentially grew up in convenience stores (which carried comics) I read countless comics. In fact, their availability to me is most certainly what brought me into the hobby. Probably from ages 7 or so to my late teens until the racks went away and I discovered and started going to actual comic shops.
For a comic fan I was kindve blessed in that regard. I was able to read virtually anything and everything and practically did. I also bought or was allowed to take a good amount home. Other than that, I've never been one to read things in the store w/o purchasing. Just not something I did or do. Not counting as a child at the grocery store when I'd sit by the racks while my parents shopped. But at that young time I was just looking at the pictures. I mostly hated reading... until I kept getting more and more really into comics. If it weren't for comics I'd probably be all but illiterate.

Dude, my local comic shop provides big couches and coffee and lets you read them without buying them.