# What NOT to say to a person reading a book **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 25, 2006, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-say-to-a-person-reading-a-book/346025 "2006-02-25T03:12:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2006, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-say-to-a-person-reading-a-book/346025/41 "2006-02-25T21:31:31Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > I’m watching the lamest movie ever? Steel Magnolias? OK, OK, but we all gotta watch it sometime, and why make it even worse by spoiling, right? So I’m watching it on cable, and a friend comes over. At the point where Julia Roberts says she’s going to the doctor. Now at this point in my life I’ve studiously avoided knowing anything at all about this movie, so at least the story will seem fresh to me. Well, as fresh as a cliche Southern Chick Flick can seem. But anyhow, I have no idea what’s gonna happen in this movie, and my friend comes in, just when Julia says she’s gonna go to the doctor, and my friend goes, “Oh you haven’t seen this yet? Oh my god this movie is so sad. It’s the saddest movie ever.” Suddenly, the rest of the entire movie was laid out before me: I knew absolutely everything that was about to happen. > > Still, luckily it was just Steel Magnolias. No offense, but who doesn’t know that about _Steel Magnolias_ by now? I mean, it’s like Darth Vader’s Luke’s dad, Rosebud’s the sled, the ship sinks, Rhett leaves, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2006, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-say-to-a-person-reading-a-book/346025/42 "2006-02-25T21:56:57Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > Why would anybody _want_ to watch Steel Magnolias at all? For the great one liners, of course. I’m not crazy, M’Lynn, I’ve just been in a very bad mood for 40 years! Miss Truvy, I promise that my personal tragedy will not interfere with my ability to do good hair. The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2006, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-say-to-a-person-reading-a-book/346025/43 "2006-02-25T22:10:14Z")
> [@Lissa](#): > > \ > A-fuckin’-men. I’ve always puzzled over that remark when I’ve heard it. Am I supposed to be somehow impressed? What’s the opposite of impressed? Unpressed? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2006, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-say-to-a-person-reading-a-book/346025/44 "2006-02-25T22:14:59Z")
> [@featherlou](#): > > What’s the opposite of impressed? Unpressed? Depressed? ---
**Author:** ![Jamaika\_a\_jamaikaiake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7993a0/32.png) [@Jamaika\_a\_jamaikaiake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamaika_a_jamaikaiake)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2006, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-say-to-a-person-reading-a-book/346025/45 "2006-02-25T22:28:12Z")
Various movies were ruined for me when the opening credits said: “based on a short story by Phillip K. Dick” (If you don’t know what I mean, then I won’t spoil this for you) ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2006, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-say-to-a-person-reading-a-book/346025/46 "2006-02-25T22:48:26Z")
> [@featherlou](#): > > What’s the opposite of impressed? Unpressed? I’ve always opted for “indifferent.” ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2006, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-say-to-a-person-reading-a-book/346025/47 "2006-02-25T22:52:13Z")
> [@Homebrew](#): > > For the great one liners, of course. > > I’m not crazy, M’Lynn, I’ve just been in a very bad mood for 40 years! > > Miss Truvy, I promise that my personal tragedy will not interfere with my ability to do good hair. > > The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize. You are a pig from hell. I’d rather have one hour of something wonderful than a whole life of nothing special. I would have to deal with my wife, and I make it a point never to deal with my wife. Drum loves porks and beans. Eats them with everything. God don’t care what church you go to, long as you show up. (Yes, I like that movie. I’m a chick. Sue me.) ---
**Author:** ![Feydeau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df788c/32.png) [@Feydeau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Feydeau)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2006, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-say-to-a-person-reading-a-book/346025/48 "2006-02-25T23:10:00Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > You are a pig from hell. I’ll have to watch it again, soon. I could’ve sworn it was “You are a pig. A pig from hell.” But [imdb.com](http://imdb.com) agrees with you. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2006, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-say-to-a-person-reading-a-book/346025/49 "2006-02-26T00:28:59Z")
This is football, all anybody cares about is touchdowns and injuries! They don’t wanna hear about that grape shit! ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2006, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-say-to-a-person-reading-a-book/346025/50 "2006-02-26T00:55:18Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > This is football, all anybody cares about is touchdowns and injuries! They don’t wanna hear about that grape shit! Would you call that color eggplant or aubergine? I can make any cakes…except snakes. I don’t have the counter space. ---
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2006, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-say-to-a-person-reading-a-book/346025/51 "2006-02-26T01:37:08Z")
Thanks Ouiser, nothing like a good piece of ass! ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2006, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-say-to-a-person-reading-a-book/346025/52 "2006-02-26T06:04:47Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > When the movie _The Sixth Sense_ came out all I heard was OMG you will _not_ believe the ending!!! So I kind of got an idea of what the ending could be and saw the movie with that idea in the back of my head. I was able to pick up little details that would not have been apparent if I hadn’t been “spoilered.” > > I did have _The Empire Strikes Back_ spoilered way back when it first came out by some blabbering schoolmate. Grrr… One of the WORST movies on the face of the planet (50 First Dates), ruined that movie for me. I walked out on 50 First Dates, but unfortunately, not before Adam Sandler’s lame character spoiled the end for me. I know, I know…my fault for waiting so long to see such an old movie. I’m pretty good at picking up these things in movie plots, so I think I probably would have figured it out. But still, it would have been nice to do that without prior knowledge. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr As to the OP, when someone comes up and starts even saying anything about having read the book, I stop them in their tracks before it’s too late. Person who has already read the book: Oh hey, I’ve read that book, you’ll love it, it has… Me: STOP! Don’t tell me ANYTHING, I’m only to chapter X, and I do NOT want to know". PWHARTB: Oh, well I wasn’t going to spoil anything it’s just that Character B… Me: NOPE…Nothing!!! STOP! I hate that, and I really think that if someone is reading, you don’t go up and bother them unless it’s some sort of emergency. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2006, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-say-to-a-person-reading-a-book/346025/53 "2006-02-26T06:10:59Z")
> [@buttonjockey308](#): > > [This](http://www.tshirthell.com/store/product.php?productid=510) T-Shirt tempted me during the height of the craze, but knowing what a fanatic Mrs Jockey is about the Potter books, I thought it safer to not. Oh my goodness, that’s just cruel and wrong! I’m not a fan, but I’m not an anti-Potter fan either. I just think the idea is mean. ---
**Author:** ![Aangelica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Aangelica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aangelica)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2006, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-say-to-a-person-reading-a-book/346025/54 "2006-02-27T15:54:48Z")
There is a special place in Hell for the people who feel entitled to a book report because I’m reading in a public place. If you want to know about the book, go read it dammit! Stop interrupting me. I don’t know if you’ll like this book. I don’t know you! Asking me is pointless. There is an ever toastier place in Hell for people who interrupt my reading to _criticize the genre of book I happen to be reading at that moment_. Howsoever, their respective locations in eternity are an all-inclusive spa vacation compared to the place in Hell reserved for the people who combine offense one and two with a critique of my life decisions. (“You know, I just can’t understand why a nice (or pretty, depending on whether the offender is an older lady or some ignorant sleazy pick-up artist) girl like you wants to waste her life reading!” Generally followed by a brag about their lack of functional literacy - “I never read!” spoken in tones of self-righteous fervor.) Especially annoying members of this group will manage to tie the genre of book I’m reading into their perspective on my social dysfunction. (“You know if you didn’t read those trashy romance novels, you’d find some boy instead of waiting for Mr. Perfect!” or “You know those sci-fi books just make boys think you’re smart - boys don’t like smart girls!” or “Why is a pretty girl like you reading about all that murder? I bet you’re afraid of men because you read about rape and murder all the time!”) AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! You people don’t know me, have never met me! You are not my husband, friend, mother or local librarian (who actually has a legitimate beef with me about my reading habits - I tend to check out the new releases in lots of about a dozen. I read fast!) I didn’t ask for your input about my hobbies and social life! Go piss off and pester someone else! Why don’t you go ask the girl with the Ipod over there if she knows that all the rap music will make her a violent felon? Okay I feel better now 😉 ---
**Author:** ![wonderlust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonderlust/32/7237_2.png) [@wonderlust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonderlust)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2006, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-say-to-a-person-reading-a-book/346025/55 "2006-02-27T16:05:13Z")
Holy moly! :eek: Now I’m just plain terrified to ever be friendly and pleasant to someone reading in public. I just might get shot. As one who loves books (and even reads them in public), I enjoy talking with others who enjoy books. Because I’m shy, I sometimes use books as a way of being busy in otherwise awkward public situations. If someone asks me about my book, I’m pleased to have a chance to talk about it. It’s a nice ice-breaker, and I have a chance to turn someone on to a good book. I can read at home. I can’t meet interesting people at home. ('cept at the Dope) ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Tiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Mama\_Tiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Tiger)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2006, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-say-to-a-person-reading-a-book/346025/56 "2006-02-27T16:29:34Z")
I’ve discovered that a great way to forestall conversation about the book I’m reading in a public place is to encase it in a fabric book cover that completely covers up any information about the book (unless, of course, they’re reading over my shoulder, but I’ll probably kneecap 'em before they get more than a few words read – _nothing_ makes me crazier than someone reading over my shoulder uninvited!). For some reason, if they can’t see the title of the book, they don’t feel compelled to strike up a conversation. I’ve even got one large enough to slip over library books. Although I have no idea where in my messy house it is right now, but I tend to only carry paperbacks around with me anyway since I have a nifty pocket in my purse they’ll slip right into. I recommend this technique. Works like a charm for me. > [@](#): > > Howsoever, their respective locations in eternity are an all-inclusive spa vacation compared to the place in Hell reserved for the people who combine offense one and two with a critique of my life decisions. (“You know, I just can’t understand why a nice (or pretty, depending on whether the offender is an older lady or some ignorant sleazy pick-up artist) girl like you wants to waste her life reading!” Generally followed by a brag about their lack of functional literacy - “I never read!” spoken in tones of self-righteous fervor.) Especially annoying members of this group will manage to tie the genre of book I’m reading into their perspective on my social dysfunction. (“You know if you didn’t read those trashy romance novels, you’d find some boy instead of waiting for Mr. Perfect!” or “You know those sci-fi books just make boys think you’re smart - boys don’t like smart girls!” or “Why is a pretty girl like you reading about all that murder? I bet you’re afraid of men because you read about rape and murder all the time!”) Mom? Is that you? ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2006, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-say-to-a-person-reading-a-book/346025/57 "2006-02-27T17:42:19Z")
> [@BiblioCat](#): > > _Empire Falls_, actually. Although, some say he was pushed. ---
**Author:** ![jacquilynne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/67e7ee/32.png) [@jacquilynne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacquilynne)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2006, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-say-to-a-person-reading-a-book/346025/58 "2006-02-27T17:50:47Z")
> [@detop](#): > > That’s your mistake, right there. You **stopped** reading to answer. Keep reading, never let your eyes leave the page. I vary in whether I mind being interrupted while I’m reading, but generally, if I don’t want to be interrupted, I do find ignoring people, at least for a little while, works wonders. Other person: What are you reading? Me: _silence_ Other person: You seem really lost in it, is it good? Me: _silence_ Other person: _(assuming they haven’t given up by now)_ It must be a great book, what’s it about? Me: Oh, uh, hrmm, are you talking to me, sorry, I was reading. I don’t really pay attention when I’m reading. _returns to nose in book_ I’ve never had someone fail to give up after that. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2006, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-say-to-a-person-reading-a-book/346025/59 "2006-02-27T18:00:57Z")
> [@Aangelica](#): > > Howsoever, their respective locations in eternity are an all-inclusive spa vacation compared to the place in Hell reserved for the people who combine offense one and two with a critique of my life decisions. (“You know, I just can’t understand why a nice (or pretty, depending on whether the offender is an older lady or some ignorant sleazy pick-up artist) girl like you wants to waste her life reading!” Generally followed by a brag about their lack of functional literacy - “I never read!” spoken in tones of self-righteous fervor.) Especially annoying members of this group will manage to tie the genre of book I’m reading into their perspective on my social dysfunction. (“You know if you didn’t read those trashy romance novels, you’d find some boy instead of waiting for Mr. Perfect!” or “You know those sci-fi books just make boys think you’re smart - boys don’t like smart girls!” or “Why is a pretty girl like you reading about all that murder? I bet you’re afraid of men because you read about rape and murder all the time!”) Where the hell are you reading that total strangers feel entitled to comment on your literary choices? I’m a voracious reader, and I have _never_ had someone be that incredibly nosy! (The “I Never Read!” people bug me too. Go watch All My Children and let me get back to Ancient Rome…Servilia just found out something horrible about her son…) ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2006, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-say-to-a-person-reading-a-book/346025/60 "2006-02-27T18:03:35Z")
I second everyone else who doesn’t like to be disturbed when reading. I get criticized for my choice of reading all the time. I read mainly sci-fi or fantasy. “Come on, why don’t you read something _real_?” I live in the real world, you moron. I like my books to escape into. When I was a temp, they kept taking pity on me because I read through my lunch break, until I started reading outside. I don’t want to talk to you or make friends with you. I’ll be gone in a month. Let me keep my space! Worst of all, my SO talks to me when I’m reading, about inconsequential things. GAH! More than once I’ve wanted to spring from my chair and bash him in the head with the book, and have threatened it, too. Of course I’m more tolerant of him doing it, but it still annoys me. And I also had HP and the HBP spoiled for me by the person who leant it to me. Sigh. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-say-to-a-person-reading-a-book/346025.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-not-to-say-to-a-person-reading-a-book/346025.md?page=4)