What are your thoughts and reactions to "A&P"?

It looks like you are referring to John Updike's short story "A&P."
Of course, thoughts and reactions to the story will vary based on individual perspectives. However, it is likely that you will have decided opinions about the girls or Sammy (the main characters in the story).
First, let's discuss the girls. The author gives us a very visual description of how they look. He talks about bare skin, long hair, and pink cheeks. Why do you think he does this? As for Sammy and his colleague Stokesie, they are entranced by what they see. The girls are young, attractive, and virile. They are also seemingly oblivious to the attention they are generating with their bikinis.
The author shines a spotlight on the girls' unconventional appearances and behavior. But, why does he do this? We are told that women usually put on shirts or shorts before they enter any store in Sammy's town. However, Sammy notes that the women who do this usually have "six children" and sport "varicose veins" on their legs. He tells us that nobody cares what they wear. However, three young, attractive girls in bikinis are sure to draw attention.
The author draws attention to how the girls are dressed as opposed to how they are expected to dress. Apparently, the town has a strict dress code. You may have even seen signs in some stores today that say "No shirt, no shoes: no service." In the story, Lengel (the store manager) tells the girls that he isn't pleased with how they are dressed. He tells them that customers need to be "decently dressed" and that they need to cover up their shoulders the next time they come in.
However, Queenie (the prettiest of the girls) tells Lengel that she and her friends are already decently dressed. So, here is the overriding question: who gets to decide how customers are dressed? Store managers (who adhere to prevailing social conventions) or patrons? In your opinion, were the girls "decently dressed"? What about Lengel's admonishment to the girls? Was he right to demand that they dress according to "store policy"? Additionally, what is the purpose of a dress code?
Should one be able to dress according to one's whims and inclinations at public places or events? The answers to these questions will depend on your personal perspectives, of course. In the story, Sammy obviously disagrees with his manager. He quits on the spot in protest. However, Lengel tells Sammy that he is making a big mistake.
Unperturbed, the euphoric Sammy makes his grand exit. His happiness does not last for long, however. He looks for the girls, but they are long gone. It doesn't look like they even witnessed his brave actions on their behalf. As Sammy looks back at the store, he sees Lengel, "checking the sheep through." Strangely, he feels deflated. Sammy begins to realize that he has just lost a paying summer job, all because of his brash actions.
So, do you think that Sammy did the right thing? Again, opinions will vary on this one. Our thoughts and reactions to a story show how the story resonates with us. And perhaps, that is the purpose of a good story: to encourage contemplation and dialogue about prevailing social habits and practices.