Uh, BMalion…? I think you should have taken a left turn at Albuquerque. You’re looking for the "I hate loud talkers on the train " thread 
Shite, actually I was.
My point was that reading a book should be just as clear a signal as being engrossed in conversation with another person, or sitting at the bar doing my taxes, or being totally absorbed in the newscast on the TV. Reading a book isn’t “killing time waiting for something to do.” Reading a book is doing something.
Exactly!
Nor is reading a book code for “please talk to me, I’m so lonely and am only reading this waiting for YOU, miraculous hates-to-read-and-proud-of-it excellent conversationalist person”. :rolleyes:
Because it’s usually that type who do interrupt with inane questions and pride in NOT reading, and amazement that we actually enjoy it. Some to the point that they actually try to talk us out of it.
“Oh, you can’t possibly LIKE sitting here all alone reading a (shudder) BOOK can you now”?
Besides which, most of us DO give those who interrupt “a break”. It’s not that we’re rude to them, most of us try get rid of them as politely as possible.
The waitress in question was asking intelligent questions about the specific book. She sounds nothing like someone who hates to read and is proud of it.
I meant to add that perhaps she is lonely and doesn’t have much opportunity to talk to readers.
I hate to drag this overly long discussion out any further but I have to ask: who the hell is *proud * of *not * reading? This is an only semi rhetorical question. Are some of you saying you’ve actually encountered people who say or imply that they are *proud * that they don’t read? I’m not talking about someone who mentions in conversation that they don’t particularly enjoy reading. I’m not even talking about people who claim they *hate * reading. I don’t share that feeling, but I can understand it. But to actually see *not * reading as a source of pride. . .? 
I don’t think I’ve met many women who say it, but men, yes. Mostly around here, mostly “manly” men, mostly rednecks. They think that reading is wussy and is the opposite of getting things done.
I still think she was just trying to make conversation. She’s a waitress, part of her job is communicating with her customers, making jokes, talking about the weather, whatever. Most people who are in a bar are there to socialize a bit. I’m sure she wasn’t trying to offend you or make fun of your reading.
I’ve read hundreds and hundreds of books in my life, and in all sorts of weird places. And I still have never encountered these sorts of attitudes. I’ve had curious people ask about it, and I’ve had people act impressed by it, but I’ve never been treated like I was strange for enjoying a book.
I don’t think we’re communicating well here. She wasn’t treating me like I was strange. This wasn’t a “meat market” pickup bar with loud music. It’s a quiet place with both tables and a bar, where you can get food and drinks. I was trying to sit and read a book, and she was preventing me from reading it. What she did was no less rude than interrupting a conversation between me and another person to ask what we’re talking about (which she did when I was in there with my wife last week).
Yes, I have encountered several such people. One of the student aides at the library would always brag about she had made it all the way through school without reading 1 book (don’t ask me how). She was very proud of that fact.