# I get it; you enjoy reading. Would you prefer a medal or a trophy? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 13, 2006, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331 "2006-07-13T15:14:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![wheelie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b4bc9f/32.png) [@wheelie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wheelie)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/121 "2006-07-14T05:42:36Z")
> [@Antigen](#): > > But the next person who says “you like _reading_??” in the same incredulous-and-slightly-grossed-out tone they might use in saying “you like licking aardvarks?”, will get whacked over the head with one of my books. And I’ve been reading hardcovers lately. I’m with you, **Anti** , and I just ordered [these](http://www.eastonpress.com/ViewProduct.asp?Sku=0193) for my trog-smashing pleasure. 😉 Oh, and can I get a nice shiny lapel pin instead of a trophy (so I can shove it in total strangers’ faces and feel ultra-superior)? ---
**Author:** ![DeadlyAccurate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@DeadlyAccurate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadlyAccurate)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/122 "2006-07-14T05:47:35Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > There was some \*\*buttmunch \*\*on British radio yesterday… (bolding mine) I wasn’t aware that anyone else used the word “buttmunch” except my husband and me. When I mentioned I only had one episode of West Wing left on the DVD I was watching while I exercised, my husband asked what I would do for the rest of the time. “They make these nifty devices now that let you see stories in your head. They’re like TV shows, but you have to get them off little pieces of paper. I call them ‘paper movies.’”\* \*Now you know why we call each other “buttmunch” so often. ---
**Author:** ![Mellivora\_capensis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mellivora\_capensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mellivora_capensis)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/123 "2006-07-14T11:22:32Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > It is the kind of skill that must be practiced, else it will atrophy. Sorry, the trophy has already been taken. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/124 "2006-07-14T11:37:47Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > This very minor rant is inspired by [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=379451) and it not directed toward anyone in particular, per se. > > One of the main reasons I hang out at SDMB is because it is populated by intelligent, interesting, well read, well spoken individdles. I’m well aware that the average intelligence here skews higher than the general unwashed masses. I would have assumed that it is a mute point that we all have this in common to varying degrees. Why, then, the need for so many people to constantly declare how much they read, enjoy reading, carry a mini library around, and generally deem nonreaders troglodites? Forgive me, but it comes off as a thinly veiled pat on one’s own back. So you read; good for you. I also enjoy reading, yet it would never occur to me to care about what, or more specifically, _if_ others read. > > I understand that people that have something in common tend to discuss it with one another, and anyone that doesn’t share in that activity is free to skip that particular conversation. Something about people tripping over themselves to tell us all how many books they read at one time smacks of self promotion, though, and denigrating people who don’t enjoy that particular hobby is just academic elitism. > > I’m not sure why this irritates me so much. When fellow dopers talk about things that I don’t care about, I either ignore it or check it out to see if there might be something to get out of it. I’m just always taken aback by the pride some people seem to take in their hobby, as if it’s some noble cause or something. > > So I bow to you, oh voracious readers. You do put your non-reading brethren to shame. Not. tldr ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/125 "2006-07-14T12:10:40Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > tldr Troglodyte. ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/126 "2006-07-14T12:18:46Z")
I still haven’t gotten my aardvark yet. Is there a customer service desk or something I can call? ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/127 "2006-07-14T12:30:02Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > Might you provide some links to threads where said wine and food afficianados make a point, or even mention, their disdain of people that don’t share that passion? Have you read the thread about how to cook a lobster? Nasty, nasty thread. There are plenty of wine and food afficionados who look down on people who don’t share their views. Open a thread mentioning how you like your Filet Mignon well done, with ketchup, and they’ll all come out of the woodwork. Warning, this is not an acutal invitation to open such a thread. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/128 "2006-07-14T12:55:04Z")
_roots around in box_ Pretty slim pickings here. I guess I’ll take this refrigerator magnet. I can use it to hang up my library’s hours. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/129 "2006-07-14T13:09:16Z")
I guess that leaves me this 2006 wall calendar. Still good for 5 and 1/2 months! ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/130 "2006-07-14T13:16:54Z")
**WOOKIN** , I kinda get what you’re saying, but it’s not reading _per se_ that’s the crux of it. It’s a thread about “I can’t believe more people don’t X” and then maybe a third of the replies are simply “I X - let me tell you about how I X.” That would be mildly annoying (to me) no matter the subject. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/131 "2006-07-14T14:33:38Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > :dubious: > > How do you figure that equivalence, exactly? Because it’s the same reaction that(some) people give to circus freaks or Ripley’s Believe or Not stuff. All of those folks probably do something (knit, run thru men like nobody’s business, make jewelry, bake, who knows what)–but the response isn’t wide eyed wonder (well, maybe the chick and the men got that response…). 🙂 I wasn’t building an argument per se re reading, but I was bringing up the positives of reading-such as academic performance. I think I may have mistook the tone of the OP, but if I have–what was your point? Sarcastically offering a prize for folks who like to read isn’t a hostile approach to readers? I’m confused (a common state o’ mind for me). I see the point that **Manda Jo** makes about hiking–a good analogy. Perhaps it is irritating to listen to folks extol the virtues of reading, as if those virtues made them all round better people. (but, see, I do think that reading makes you a better person-as in, you, yourself, not in comparison to others–now the deep, dark secret is out). I know I get irritated by people who bore me with their fervor re dieting, exercise or cooking. But I see that vehemence as a foible. Something about reading threatens people-more so than train spotting, IMO. It’s not a big deal-it doesn’t keep anyone up at noc(at least I hope not!)–it’s just an attitude that I’ve noticed over the years. To be told everytime(or at least it seems like every time) I carry a book somewhere, “you read alot.” I reply, “yes, I do.” “huh.” (I get this at work, mostly). It’s a bizarre response–sometimes they probe into why I would spend my time doing this; sometimes they just watch me read. It’s odd as hell (I cannot wait to not work there anymore, 2 more years and I’m gone). Sorry if I came across as harsh–but I am still confused by the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/132 "2006-07-14T14:41:31Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > Whoa, whoa, whoa now. This has gone completely off the proverbial track. You get a bug up your ass about people who rhapsodize about food and wine? I don’t blame you. Might you provide some links to threads where said wine and food afficianados make a point, or even mention, their disdain of people that don’t share that passion? Remember the [picky eater](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=367835&highlight=eater) thread? I honestly can’t believe how many people keep taking this as a rant about people who love to read, and people who want to talk about their love of reading. There is a difference between talking about the joy that you get from a hobby and engaging in an um, bookshelf measuring contest to get yourself declared über reader. You see this behavior in all types of groups, and it’s never pretty. If anyone’s still on his/her cross, please get off. I need the wood for the book burning. ---
**Author:** ![Susie\_Derkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@Susie\_Derkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susie_Derkins)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/133 "2006-07-14T14:53:28Z")
> [@Belrix](#): > > What? No ugly ceramic dog as a prize? > > _Grump_ It was taken in post #68. 😛 You get the ashtray on a stand. ---
**Author:** ![Belrix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed655f/32.png) [@Belrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belrix)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/134 "2006-07-14T14:56:17Z")
I have to admit to a prejudice against those who seem to proudly admit that they don’t read books - as if a reader is a foppish intellectual and they’re much more salt-of-the-earth than that. I, however, almost never read with the intent of \ improving my mind \ or :eek: actually learning something. Except for reference books directly related to my job, which I scan for needed info, I read non-fiction just to get the aforementioned movie-in-my-head experience. I think the last non-fiction book I read was maybe four years ago: “Blind Man’s Bluff” about cold war submarine use. It was a very entertaining read and if it hadn’t been entertaining I’ll bet you dollars to donuts that I wouldn’t have gotten beyond the first few chapters. I’ve got enough stress and pressure in my life. No need to add more pressure with some I-feel-inadequate need to improve myself. I’m pretty good as is, IMO. Those of you who read non-fiction are probably all foppish intellectuals, anyway. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/135 "2006-07-14T14:59:37Z")
My cleaning lady (is that the correct term?) asked me if I really read “all those books”. She always makes neat piles of books, and noticed that each month there are different books laying around. When I told her yes, I read them, that’s why they are there, she was surprised. She said that I read more books in a month then she has read in her lifetime. She seemed to feel sorry for me. I know I felt sorry for her. Guess it’s all about point of view. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/136 "2006-07-14T15:00:46Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > I think I may have mistook the tone of the OP, but if I have–what was your point? Sarcastically offering a prize for folks who like to read isn’t a hostile approach to readers? I’m confused (a common state o’ mind for me). No, he was sacarstically offering a prize to people who _brag_ about reading. > [@](#): > > I see the point that **Manda Jo** makes about hiking–a good analogy. Perhaps it is irritating to listen to folks extol the virtues of reading, as if those virtues made them all round better people. (but, see, I do think that reading makes you a better person-as in, you, yourself, not in comparison to others–now the deep, dark secret is out). I know I get irritated by people who bore me with their fervor re dieting, exercise or cooking. But I see that vehemence as a foible. Something about reading threatens people-more so than train spotting, IMO. Thanks you, but lots of other things make you a better person, too. As a reader, I’ve always sort of envied people that acually go out and _do_ things instead–people in CS who cook from scratch _every day_, students I’ve had who dance five hours a day no matter what, and more on weekends, people that are involved in community theater. I’d never do any of that, and not least because it would cut into my reading time. But I suspect they have access to something I don’t, have learned things I haven’t, through their dedication to creation instead of consumption. > [@](#): > > It’s not a big deal-it doesn’t keep anyone up at noc(at least I hope not!)–it’s just an attitude that I’ve noticed over the years. To be told everytime(or at least it seems like every time) I carry a book somewhere, “you read alot.” I reply, “yes, I do.” “huh.” (I get this at work, mostly). It’s a bizarre response–sometimes they probe into why I would spend my time doing this; sometimes they just watch me read. It’s odd as hell (I cannot wait to not work there anymore, 2 more years and I’m gone). Well, you work in a shitty place, and I am sorry. But I promise you there there do exist people that are still very smug about how much they read, and really do think that reading isn’t just a noble pursuit, but is the most noble of pursuits, and it’s an obnoxious attitude, because it minimizes all those other things. It’s not the worst attitude in the world, but it’s certainly pit-worthy. It always bugs me–for one thing, I think holding up reading as this most holy, most virtuous act pushes a lot of kids away from it. ---
**Author:** ![Belrix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed655f/32.png) [@Belrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belrix)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/137 "2006-07-14T15:02:29Z")
> [@Susie Derkins](#): > > It was taken in post #68. 😛 You get the ashtray on a stand. (heck, I even did a search for “dog” to make sure my lame joke would be unique :rolleyes: ) I don’t smoke, is the collection of victorian-era sex toys still available? ---
**Author:** ![Aangelica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Aangelica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aangelica)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/138 "2006-07-14T15:44:44Z")
To hell with the ugly ceramic dog, I’m taking the trip to Hawaii! Or possibly the really atrocious watercolor paintings or the giant tasteless vase with four peacock feathers in it. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/139 "2006-07-14T15:53:16Z")
> [@Omega Glory](#): > > Remember the [picky eater](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=367835&highlight=eater) thread? And here are [two](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=302800) [more](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=302338&page=1&pp=50). Starting a pit thread about eating habits is pretty much a sure fire way to kick off an eight-page brawl on this board. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2006, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331/140 "2006-07-14T16:22:18Z")
> [@Manda JO](#): > > That isn’t what he is talking about. It’s not that they talk about _what_ they read, it’s that they talk about _that_ they read. “Yep. I’m a reader. Yep. Love to read.” This is not a problem just with reading–you find these sort of people everywhere. It’s the differnece between somoene who loves to hike and talks all the time about all the cool places they have been (interesting) and the person who loves to hike and talks all the time about how they love to hike and how hiking is so healthy and how it is they don’t understand people who don’t enjoy hiking and how they think it’s sad that other people haven’t felt the endorphin rush they feel when hiking and how criminal it is that people don’t take their kids on hiking trips (boring and snobbish). Ding ding ding ding!!! Thank you, **Manda Jo**! 🙂 Tell her what she’s won, Don Pardo! This sums it up much better than I seem to have been able to. And to those talking about people mocking you for reading (I’m still unable to picture this, but I will take your word for it), how does turning a judgemental eye on someone else’s reading habits make it any better? Now, to all my lovely contestants, you’ll be leaving this thread with a life time supply of Lee press on nails and your very own copy of Dr. Phil’s latest book “You don’t have to have an episiotomy to read the Iliad” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-it-you-enjoy-reading-would-you-prefer-a-medal-or-a-trophy/364331.md?page=8)