# Do people look at you askance because you like to read books? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 21, 2012, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-look-at-you-askance-because-you-like-to-read-books/632217 "2012-08-21T21:29:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-look-at-you-askance-because-you-like-to-read-books/632217/21 "2012-08-22T06:00:44Z")
More when I was younger. The general negative reaction (when I get one) is “You read… for _fun?_” I still get a bit of that nowadays, but the general tone is more of just head-shaking acceptance than anything else. I generally look at my co-workers who speak with quivering anticipation of their next trip to the gym to pump iron or to go out and play sports with a similar reaction. Both activities are, to me, at best a necessary commitment, something that I have to do because I am obligated to do so, while reading is something that is relaxing and fun for me. So I can understand how they feel that way, they’re just geeks about different activities than I am. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-look-at-you-askance-because-you-like-to-read-books/632217/22 "2012-08-22T06:03:52Z")
I get a bit of askance looks for reading an actual \*paper \*book, when everyone knows that I \*should \*be reading an eBook nowadays. ---
**Author:** ![MaltLiquor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/858c86/32.png) [@MaltLiquor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaltLiquor)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-look-at-you-askance-because-you-like-to-read-books/632217/23 "2012-08-22T08:37:21Z")
I think I started reading for fun in the fifth grade. My parents made us read every night from 6-6:30~45 or later 7-8ish as long back as I can remember. I doubt it was that long in the younger years but there was always reading time, didn’t matter what you read as long as you were reading. Everyone has always had a book. I find it weird when I see or hear of people not reading. I do not think anyone in my family has gone to college for more than 2 years, and only a couple that did that, so I do tend to scoff at people that use an education to exlpain why they read. I remember having to explain to my teacher in highschool why I carried Carlos Castenada books with me(ok, I was kinda high probably) but they would never see me reading the assigned books. It usually ended up I would read them in a few days and by the time the test came around I would either have to re-read the book or just wing it. That done I ride public transportation to work every day. I am encouraged on how many books I see. I look askance at people that are not reading. Luckily I will report I see about a third of people on average with their noses in books while riding the train. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-look-at-you-askance-because-you-like-to-read-books/632217/24 "2012-08-22T10:10:28Z")
On a related note, when it was _really_ popular to hate on people for reading Twilight and what not, I felt the need to point out… they’re _reading_. Twilight today, the Silmarillion tomorrow, or something like that. Gotta start somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![LVBoPeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/858c86/32.png) [@LVBoPeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVBoPeep)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-look-at-you-askance-because-you-like-to-read-books/632217/25 "2012-08-22T13:02:29Z")
I don’t get askance looks although I do get a lot of lack of acknowledgement that I AM reading as opposed to being available for conversation. I can work at my desk for hours and not be interrupted but the minute I pull out my kindle for lunch time, it’s apparently chat time. I am told I shouldn’t complain because I could leave for lunch and not be bothered but I keep holding out hope that I can just take my lunch at my desk and be left alone. Yes, I realize it’s hopeless. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-look-at-you-askance-because-you-like-to-read-books/632217/26 "2012-08-22T13:08:53Z")
> [@obfusciatrist](#): > > I was the kid who couldn’t take a shower without reading every shampoo bottle. I read walking to school. > [@Antigen](#): > > Same here. Mom used to kick me out of the house to go play in the yard… and I’d bring a book. > [@hogarth](#): > > Like reading while I’m walking or reading while I’m waiting in line for a roller coaster. How I love you all. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-look-at-you-askance-because-you-like-to-read-books/632217/27 "2012-08-22T13:12:37Z")
“Books are stupid.” “I can’t understand how you can read all the time, I don’t have that kind of brain.” Dunno if it’s made them think I’m any smarter though (probably not). Though admittedly if I had one of those fancy new phones I might be fiddling with that instead (or reading something on it, more likely). ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-look-at-you-askance-because-you-like-to-read-books/632217/28 "2012-08-22T13:19:31Z")
Occasionally, though it’s very rare now. I do still get the lifted eyebrow, as someone else said, about fantasy and sci-fi, and there is a woman in my office who once said, “I DON’T READ” in the loudest, most disapproving voice possible when someone else asked her. It also helps that I have a great deal of self-confidence now. Honey Badger just don’t give a shit. Judge me, don’t judge me, I’ll keep right on reading, tyvm. ---
**Author:** ![Bass\_Chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/43a26b/32.png) [@Bass\_Chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bass_Chick)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-look-at-you-askance-because-you-like-to-read-books/632217/29 "2012-08-22T13:23:27Z")
I packed a book in my lunchbox this morning. 🙂 If someone \*did \*give me funny looks I never noticed. Too busy reading. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-look-at-you-askance-because-you-like-to-read-books/632217/30 "2012-08-22T13:34:24Z")
I take something with me when I’m going to be waiting. If it might be a long wait I take both a book and a Sunday crossword puzzle. Usually the book is a Math/Science non-fiction book. Most recently _Taming the Infinite: The Story of Mathematics from the First Numbers to Chaos Theory_ by Ian Stewart. And I get weird looks. I don’t get it. These other people _just sit there_. Don’t read (there’s magazines around), don’t play on their phones, nothing. They just stare into space (or at me). And _I_ get the weird looks. Of the course the staff of the office are always asking me about crossword puzzles, why I do them, etc. Not so interested in the books, pretty used to those I guess. They are, if you pardon the term, puzzled by me liking to solve puzzles. Now, if I started up a conversation with them about the Kardashians, that would be “normal”. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-look-at-you-askance-because-you-like-to-read-books/632217/31 "2012-08-22T13:38:48Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > And I get weird looks. > > I don’t get it. These other people _just sit there_. Don’t read (there’s magazines around), don’t play on their phones, nothing. They just stare into space (or at me). And _I_ get the weird looks. > > . The TV! It drives me crazy that every waiting room I go to there just has to be a huge TV for people to sit and stare at, slack-jawed. Can’t we just shut it off and have quiet for a while? People can entertain themselves in other ways. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-look-at-you-askance-because-you-like-to-read-books/632217/32 "2012-08-22T13:41:29Z")
I’m a little dumbfounded by the question. No, because I don’t hang around with 10-year-old bullies. ---
**Author:** ![Richey84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Richey84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richey84)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-look-at-you-askance-because-you-like-to-read-books/632217/33 "2012-08-22T17:28:46Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I’m a little dumbfounded by the question. No, because I don’t hang around with 10-year-old bullies. This. Although the cat gives me a nasty look from time to time. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-look-at-you-askance-because-you-like-to-read-books/632217/34 "2012-08-22T18:28:42Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I’m a little dumbfounded by the question. No, because I don’t hang around with 10-year-old bullies. 😉 I wear cargo shorts when I can, typically suburban dad that I am. I _always_ have something to read in one of the side pockets - a book I am reading, my Kindle, a section of the NY Times folded up - _something_. I find I pull the reading material out all the time - and the folks I am around tend to say “damn, I wish I had thought of that”… ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-look-at-you-askance-because-you-like-to-read-books/632217/35 "2012-08-22T18:42:21Z")
> [@Richey84](#): > > This. Although the cat gives me a nasty look from time to time. Cats are legally obligated to give humans a nasty look from time to time. It’s in their contract, if they don’t do this they have their Cat Card suspended or even revoked. ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-look-at-you-askance-because-you-like-to-read-books/632217/36 "2012-08-22T20:21:44Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I’m a little dumbfounded by the question. No, because I don’t hang around with 10-year-old bullies. Personally I’ve tended to find that 10-year-old bullies don’t grow into decent well-rounded adults, they’re still bullies but usually just hide it better because its a _little_ less socially acceptable behaviour in a supposed adult. Its rare for someone to be outright rude like the woman I mentioned in my OP but its definitely not common for someone to have a book close at hand whenever possible. In my experience at least. If you read a lot some _(many?)_ people tend to think you’re just showing off, I turned off a facebook app where I would list my current read because of the smart comments I was getting, most light-hearted but some very much not so. Although for a single shining moment I was ahead of the cool curve by being one of the first people to own a kindle, people used to ask about it with genuine interest, now every common schmoe has one… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![misling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3ab097/32.png) [@misling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misling)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-look-at-you-askance-because-you-like-to-read-books/632217/37 "2012-08-22T20:32:03Z")
I remember getting some comments, ranging from incredulous to nasty, occasionally, but they pretty much slid off, and I don’t remember what they were exactly. ftg: So how is ‘Taming the Infinite: The Story of Mathematics from the First Numbers to Chaos Theory by Ian Stewart’ ? it sounds interesting. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-look-at-you-askance-because-you-like-to-read-books/632217/38 "2012-08-22T20:45:45Z")
I have to wonder where you guys live that you’re getting this. Although I was once talking to my ex-boss about packing for vacations. I tend to pack a lot, and have a ginormous suitcase that’s usually packed to the gills. ex-boss said that she’d just shove a sarong in her purse and go. She asked what all I packed, and I mentioned books, among other things. “Books?!? What do you need with books?!?” > [@antonio107](#): > > Unless I’m reading pocket scores, though, in which case I suppose I probably deserve some ridicule. 😃 Yeah, that got me a few odd looks. I used to do that all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-look-at-you-askance-because-you-like-to-read-books/632217/39 "2012-08-22T23:57:04Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > “Books are stupid.” “I can’t understand how you can read all the time, I don’t have that kind of brain.” Dunno if it’s made them think I’m any smarter though (probably not). Though admittedly if I had one of those fancy new phones I might be fiddling with that instead (or reading something on it, more likely). One of the first things I did when I got a smartphone was find a good e-book reader. In fact, I use my phone for that function (or as a music player when walking or driving) more than I do the Internet connectivity. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2012, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-look-at-you-askance-because-you-like-to-read-books/632217/40 "2012-08-23T00:23:28Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I have to wonder where you guys live that you’re getting this. Maybe I’m completely oblivious, but I have never in my life gotten a weird stare for reading a book or doing a crossword or whatever. Never. In all the cities I’ve lived in, it was commonplace to read while commuting on your bus/subway/tram/etc. It would never occur to me that anyone would find this odd. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-look-at-you-askance-because-you-like-to-read-books/632217.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-look-at-you-askance-because-you-like-to-read-books/632217.md?page=3)