Musing Monday (Jan 18)

Musing Mondays2Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about tidy reading around people.

When is it inappropriate to read in front of others? Is it ever appropriate?

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT with either the link to your own Musing Mondays post, or share your opinion in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thanks.

 

*NOTE: This is the Musing Mondays button that won the poll. However, feel free to use whichever one takes your fancy.

 

I spent most of the week thinking about what the next week’s MM will be. Partly because I like to have a good question and mostly because I find it as a way to get great advice on anything I come across.

For instance: I spend at least 1-2 hours a week waiting around for others, either in the car or in a doctor’s office and because I so hate having wasted time like that I’ve made that my reading time. However at the moment it’s school holidays and so there’s usually someone else with us.

I have no problem reading in public – even surrounded by people like in the shopping centre or doctors office. In fact, I think it’s ridiculous that MORE people don’t read. However I feel incredibly uncomfortable reading when someone I know is sitting beside me. Even if we don’t talk – and let’s face it, how much of a conversation does anyone ever have in a waiting room?

Outside of this scenario I rarely read in front of others, because I feel a little rude – unless it’s with a booky friend and we’re both reading, of course! But what about you? I’m eager to hear your thoughts on the subject.

36 comments :

Anonymous said...

Beautiful question. Really.

http://cutlex.wordpress.com/2010/01/17/reading-in-front-of-others/

gautami tripathy said...

I like this question.

Mondays: Musings/Mailbox/Whereabouts

fredamans said...

http://fredasvoice.blogspot.com/2010/01/musing-monday_17.html

Alex the Girl said...

Great question. I try bringing a book with me those very same appointments you have just described, and if I forget, I hope for a good magazine selection. I don't think the books I read would be deemed inappropriate, but occassionally, the title or book cover caused a cycle or two of curious questions. And while I don't consider it inappropriate, I do feel like prying eyes are peeking when I grab the magazine that has the "How do you know if your good in bed or not" article and covertly turn to those pages hoping I can finish it before my name is called.

Mae said...

Mine's up!

Athira said...

Great question!! I don't necessarily feel it's rude when you read in someone's presence. I just feel uncomfortable doing it. If I totally ignore my companion, then I would consider it rude. But if my companion is also doing something, then I wouldn't mind reading.

I mean let's face it, how many of them would stop texting someone or put down the phone, because there's someone sitting beside them? Or how many would shut down their PC because they have company? But what I don't like is someone branding me a nerd when I read in public.

Anonymous said...

This is the most contemplative question for a while. I love it!

My Musing is up. :)

Brooke from The Bluestocking Guide said...

Here is mine

crestina said...

my musing on this...

http://addlife21.blogspot.com/2010/01/just-read.html

Melody said...

Here's mine.

Happy Monday!

Kim said...

Great question!
My answer is up and I tend to feel differently than you on it. :)
http://pageafterpage-kim.blogspot.com/2010/01/monday-love.html

*smiles*

Anonymous said...

My first MM!

www.turningtheleaves.wordpress.com

*cheesy grin*

zetor said...

Mine is here, http://zetor-mogsblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/musing-mondays.html

Mark A. Swallow said...

Great question! Shows you are polite to even consider it. To read or not to read in front of others? Here are my reflections:

http://mswallow.typepad.com/the_swallows_nest/2010/01/book-m-1.html

Michelle said...

Interesting question. It took me a while to think of my answer, but here it is!

http://www.michellesmastermusings.com/2010/01/musing-mondays-january-18-2010.html

Anonymous said...

http://vampira2468.wordpress.com/2010/01/18/watching-the-readers/

my answer

Boof (The Book Whisperer) said...

Great question! I have absolutely no qualms about it at all! Here is my answer:

http://boofsbookshelf.com/

Boof x

Erin said...

It definitely is something to consider, and I think sometimes it's on a case-by-case basis. Here's my answer: Musing Mondays @ The Wobbly Bookstack

Ambrosia @ The Purple Booker said...

Musing Monday @ Fire and Ice

Nise' said...

My Musing

MizB @ Should Be Reading said...

My Musing is up! Interesting question, today! :D

~MizB

Susan said...

Excellent! Public readers UNITE!

http://wellmanneredfrivolity.blogspot.com/2010/01/musing-mondays_18.html

Kari said...

I read everywhere. I think it's more inappropriate to talk to someone who is trying to read in public :)

http://kariannalysis.com/2010/01/musing-monday-118/

Alison said...

I don't go out of my way to be reading in front of other people, but sometimes it happens.

Carina said...

Fantastic question! I've joined in for the first time this week ... so here's my post.

CMash said...

My post is at http://cmashlovestoread.blogspot.com

Sheery said...

Here is my response:

http://sheeryhall.blogspot.com/2010/01/musing-mondays-january-18-2010.html

Anonymous said...

it's an interesting question! here's my answer:

Here

Susan said...

Great question today!

Here's my answer!

caite said...

I am a bit late to the party but HERE is my post now.

I am of the school that thinks it is more inappropriate for others to interrupt my reading than for me to read!

Jenny Girl said...

Hi Rebecca! How are you? Hope this finds you well.

my motto is have book will travel. I read anywhere, anytime, especially doctor's offices and such. I do a great deal of reading on the train to work. Acutally there is a girl who I talk to sometimes because we ride together. She always interrupts me when I read, so I have to close the book, and the conversation is not quite stimulating. Then she gets quite and says nothing. Then I re-open my book and she starts talking again, what's up with that. If I ever see people I know and they are reading I never, ever, disturb them. You just don't do that :)

Love the new button and I will try to participate next week.

Jenn said...

Great question! This is the first time I've participated in this - it was lots of fun! Here's mine:

http://quitethehuman.blogspot.com/2010/01/musing-mondays.html

Anonymous said...

Mine's here:
http://mominsanity.wordpress.com/2010/01/18/monday-musings-14/

The Book Resort said...

Gr8 q! Here's mine:

http://thebookresort.blogspot.com/2010/01/musing-mondays-jan-18th.html

Lisa said...

A bit late, but here's mine

Marie Cloutier said...

I bring books everywhere with me and I don't think it's inappropriate to read in public EXCEPT when I'm travelling with someone who's not reading. Once, when I was in high school (and this was adolescent behavior) I was riding the train with a friend. He had a book with him and proceeded to read through the entire trip; any time I tried to talk to him he'd say, "I'm reading!" and ignore me. I thought that was rude. But if you both have books, fine! :-)