# So, uh, whatcha readin' over there? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 25, 2012, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-whatcha-readin-over-there/610593 "2012-01-25T12:41:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**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:** [January 25, 2012, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-whatcha-readin-over-there/610593/41 "2012-01-25T22:19:00Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Beat them to death with your book, is the only acceptable answer I have ever found, except then you get blood in the pages. Hard to do that with an e-reader, though. Damn things don’t have any heft to them. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2012, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-whatcha-readin-over-there/610593/42 "2012-01-25T22:29:33Z")
> [@Zeriel](#): > > Ridiculous. Why should I prioritize a stranger over my choice of entertainment? I get plenty of human interaction from people I actually give a damn about, TYVM. ~shrugs~ I love reading. I really get into books. I have zero problem talking to someone about what I’m reading if I’m in the middle and, if I happen to be in the middle of a good part that I don’t want to skip, no problem politely telling them that I’m really into the book but I’ll talk to them later. ---
**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:** [January 25, 2012, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-whatcha-readin-over-there/610593/43 "2012-01-25T23:18:04Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > So faking an interest _worked_ with you? About how often, would you say? Would _Penthouse Forum_ be interested? It worked one time. I was on the rebound, though, so I was feeling pretty bad about myself, and this guy knew how to push my buttons. I actually enjoyed having him as a boyfriend. I have no idea if Penthouse would be interested. All the other times when guys tried to pick me up by asking what I was reading, I could see their eyes glaze over when I explained that I was reading something on the order of “science fiction, and this author is using a generation ship rather than faster-than-light travel, which is more realistic and also it poses more problems than FTL travel”, and I found that rather amusing. My motto has always been that if you ask me a question, you need to be prepared for my answer. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2012, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-whatcha-readin-over-there/610593/44 "2012-01-25T23:27:52Z")
> [@FinnAgain](#): > > ~shrugs~ > I love reading. I really get into books. I have zero problem talking to someone about what I’m reading if I’m in the middle and, if I happen to be in the middle of a good part that I don’t want to skip, no problem politely telling them that I’m really into the book but I’ll talk to them later. If you have zero problem stopping to have a chat with someone in the middle of a book, you’re not “really into” it. As for telling the other person politely that you are busy, yes. Of course this is how you should handle it. The point is that it is a fucking obnoxious thing for them to have done in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2012, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-whatcha-readin-over-there/610593/45 "2012-01-25T23:37:11Z")
I don’t have a problem if that’s all they ask. But usually they are angling for a full-fledge conversation, which is annoying. And then some people just start talking to you like you aren’t even reading. You’ll hear this steady drone in the background and you’re torn between being polite and listening to their boring story (because it usually is boring) or just straight-up ignoring them. That’s why when I’m feeling bookish, I go into seclusion. It feels weird to close the door to my office just so I can read during my lunch break (because I’m paranoid people think I’m doing something secretive), but it’s the only non-rude solution that I can think of. ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2012, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-whatcha-readin-over-there/610593/46 "2012-01-25T23:51:06Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Hard to do that with an e-reader, though. Damn things don’t have any heft to them. Could see how well it could double as a ninja throwing star. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-whatcha-readin-over-there/610593/47 "2012-01-26T00:27:08Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > If you have zero problem stopping to have a chat with someone in the middle of a book, you’re not “really into” it Well shit, here I thought that I knew whether or not I was really engrossed in something, but I guess that a random person on the internet knows better than I do. I take it that you also know what I had for dinner last night? Do you think that it was seasoned properly? ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-whatcha-readin-over-there/610593/48 "2012-01-26T01:11:07Z")
Could have used more salt. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-whatcha-readin-over-there/610593/49 "2012-01-26T01:54:08Z")
I guess I’ll sit with Finnagain. I’m always more than happy to talk about my choice of reading material. And if being able to go in and out of a book in an instant means you’re not really into it, then not being able to get back in a book right away means you suck at reading. How about them apples. (That being said, when I was kid, I definitely got engrossed in books to the point where I couldn’t get out of them instantly. Of course, I’d be so into them, I physically couldn’t notice someone trying to talk to me, so either way, I’m still better than you.) ---
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-whatcha-readin-over-there/610593/50 "2012-01-26T02:03:27Z")
> [@FinnAgain](#): > > ~shrugs~ > I love reading. I really get into books. I have zero problem talking to someone about what I’m reading if I’m in the middle and, if I happen to be in the middle of a good part that I don’t want to skip, no problem politely telling them that I’m really into the book but I’ll talk to them later. Every time I have personally been interrupted by a stranger or casual acquaintance while reading, it has always become apparent that their goal was to “save” me from the obvious fact I was bored (otherwise, why would I be READING?!). ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-whatcha-readin-over-there/610593/51 "2012-01-26T02:09:49Z")
> [@Daithi\_Lacha](#): > > I was waiting to see my doctor last month and had brought a book with me because I don’t like reading months-old copies of crappy magazines. It was a thick book - 700+ pages. The receptionist passed by: “Wow, that’s a big book!” > Me: “Yup! Sure is! Taking me a while to get through it.” > “You must like reading, huh?” > “I do, actually.” > “So, you gonna read \*all \*of that?” :dubious: > > “No, I’m planning on stopping halfway through just so I could waste my own time and save you the bother!” > > Of course I didn’t say that, but it really was kind of a silly question. Well, look at it from her point of view: _Nobody_ could possibly read a whole 700 page book. You just want to read it until you’re full, then you stop. I mean, if you were alone in a restaurant and accidentally ordered the chateaubriand (work with me here) would you really be surprised if someone seeing you contemplating it in all its 48 ounce glory (with vegetables and potatoes) asking “So, you gonna eat all that?” I didn’t think so. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-whatcha-readin-over-there/610593/52 "2012-01-26T02:14:01Z")
> [@Zeriel](#): > > Every time I have personally been interrupted by a stranger or casual acquaintance while reading, it has always become apparent that their goal was to “save” me from the obvious fact I was bored (otherwise, why would I be READING?!). Ah, see, I don’t have that problem. Quite often the person who asks what I’m reading, nods politely to my response and then goes back to their own book. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-whatcha-readin-over-there/610593/53 "2012-01-26T03:07:24Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > All the other times when guys tried to pick me up by asking what I was reading, I could see their eyes glaze over when I explained that I was reading something on the order of “science fiction, and this author is using a generation ship rather than faster-than-light travel, which is more realistic and also it poses more problems than FTL travel”, and I found that rather amusing. My motto has always been that if you ask me a question, you need to be prepared for my answer. I could so fake interest in that. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-whatcha-readin-over-there/610593/54 "2012-01-26T03:50:11Z")
> [@Zeriel](#): > > Every time I have personally been interrupted by a stranger or casual acquaintance while reading, it has always become apparent that their goal was to “save” me from the obvious fact I was bored (otherwise, why would I be READING?!). I guess my experiences have been colored by my initial days. When I was reading in high school girls would generally ask what I was reading as a way of flirting with me. I’ve always taken it as a form of polite interest and found it flattering. And while I don’t grok the animosity for being interrupted that is evident in this thread, I can at least understand that some folks don’t like being interrupted. Doesn’t bother me though. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-whatcha-readin-over-there/610593/55 "2012-01-26T04:14:45Z")
> [@FinnAgain](#): > > ~shrugs~ [~snip~] …no problem politely telling them that I’m really into the book but I’ll talk to them later. And I do that WITHOUT making eye contact. The second you glance from the book to them, people assume they have permission to start blathering. Maybe they think that they’re SO much more entertaining than a mere book. I’ve taken to putting in earbuds and pretending I have NO idea anyone’s there (the buds are silent, sometimes the cord just leads into my pocket, unless I need instrumental music to drown out a conversation nearby). ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-whatcha-readin-over-there/610593/56 "2012-01-26T04:16:57Z")
Before Bill bought me an ebook, most people only asked what I was reading in the “you poor thing, you are reading, you must be bored” fashion. Now that I have an ebook, people don’t seem to notice that I’m using it to _read_, they just want to talk about the reader and other readers. Today, I had someone ask me if I knew about smart phones because I was out on my smoke break with my ebook in my hand. I’d rather that people just asked what I was reading then expected that I knew all things electronic because I know how to turn pages. ---
**Author:** ![YoDoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/e68b1a/32.png) [@YoDoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YoDoc)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-whatcha-readin-over-there/610593/57 "2012-01-26T04:48:39Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > All the other times when guys tried to pick me up by asking what I was reading, I could see their eyes glaze over when I explained that I was reading something on the order of “science fiction, and this author is using a generation ship rather than faster-than-light travel, which is more realistic and also it poses more problems than FTL travel”, and I found that rather amusing. My motto has always been that if you ask me a question, you need to be prepared for my answer. My response would have been to ask if you had read “Across the Sea of Stars”… lol. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-whatcha-readin-over-there/610593/58 "2012-01-26T04:50:52Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > Well, at least it’s better than the question Bill Hicks said he was once asked: “Hey, mister, what are you reading \*for \*?” Curses! You stole my thunder! It is _ **I** _ who is the (self-designated) revealer of Bill Hicks spot-on wisdom concerning just about every modern social woe! Here’s the bulk of what Mr. Hicks had to say on the matter: > [@](#): > > I was in Nashville, Tennessee last week and after the show I went to a Waffle House, right? And I’m sitting there and I’m eating, and I’m reading a book. I don’t know anybody, I’m alone, and I’m eating… and I’m reading a book. > > And this waitress comes over to me: “Whatcha readin’ for?” > > Wow. I’ve never been asked that! --Not what am I _reading_… but what am I reading _FOR_?!? Well, goddammit, ya stumped me! > > Well… I guess I read for a lot of reasons… but the main one is so I don’t end up being a fuckin’ waffle waitress. YouTube [video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZs9557NCAM) of Hicks performing the bit. The clip is 1:57 and the “Whatcha readin’ for?” part starts at :49. ---
**Author:** ![Zeriel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/58956e/32.png) [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2012, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-whatcha-readin-over-there/610593/59 "2012-01-26T05:35:07Z")
> [@FinnAgain](#): > > And while I don’t grok the animosity for being interrupted that is evident in this thread, I can at least understand that some folks don’t like being interrupted. Doesn’t bother me though. You should try going to a rural high school and having non-college-educated parents/family. Love ‘em all, but by god you just TRY to settle in with a book instead of gluing yourself to the fuckin’ TV for yet another football game–even if you participate in the conversation, you are gonna get browbeaten into watching the game. “Why’d you turn the TV off?” Because there’s no one in this room but me, and I’m trying to read. Or getting made fun of because I actually used study periods to read something instead of playing paper football (speaking of insipid) or cutting out to go to the gym and shoot hoops. After a while, you get sensitized. ---
**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:** [January 26, 2012, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-whatcha-readin-over-there/610593/60 "2012-01-26T08:53:40Z")
> [@YoDoc](#): > > My response would have been to ask if you had read “Across the Sea of Stars”… lol. Yes, I’ve read just about all of Clarke’s books, except the ones in the Rama series. I couldn’t get into the first one, and never saw the point in trying to read the others in the series. Mind you, it’s been a long, long time since I read AtSoS, but I have read it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-whatcha-readin-over-there/610593.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-whatcha-readin-over-there/610593.md?page=4)