Of course, she may have just been carrying it around in case she’s attacked by a gang of tough, bowler-and-turtleneck-wearing bulldogs.
StarTrek Characters Association, It is a group of people who dress up as Star Trek characters, it is a multigenerational organization.
The person probably means Society for Creative Anachronism, a reenactment group for medieval European society. People in it are almost as weird as the StarTrek Characters Association.
No, because I’m not interested in what children have to say. But were she an adult, the answer is still no. Like many people have stated, I do not believe a person who is reading a book is inviting others to conversation. I do not like it one bit when people bother me while I’m reading.
No, but if I saw her carrying it but not reading, I would absolutely have no problems mentioning something about the book and engaging her in conversation.
Probably not. But equally I would probably not talk to most people carrying or reading a book. I kind of stick to my self.
Yes, but I’m a 41 year old woman and I’m not too worried about anyone finding me creepy. However, apart from a very brief sentence or two, I would have left her alone to get back to her reading.
Oh, I loved that book!
I think saying something like “I read that 60 years ago and it remains a favorite” would be fine. I’m 38, and I might say something like “Oh, I loved that book! Do you like it?” In both cases, she could just say “mm-hmm” and keep her nose in the book, or choose to respond. Anybody with basic social skills would know how to proceed based on her response. If her body language was really off-putting, though, I wouldn’t have said anything, however. The fact that you’re a man doesn’t affect this at all.
If I’m reading something, I don’t mind talking to someone about it–provided they have something to say. That “whatcha reading, kid?” thing is indeed really annoying. I don’t think most people aren’t as adverse to a chat with a stranger as the responses in this thread might indicate.
Besides, jeez, it’s just reading a book. It’s not like you’re jerking off or something. So what if they interrupt you? Just acknowledge their presence and go back to reading. If they keep bugging you, then deal with them like you’d deal with any other jerk you encounter.
I agree with the chorus of people saying to let readers read. My worst recent was when I was waiting for my wife outside a store, reading The Stuff of Thought, and some schmoe decided it was time to strike up a conversation with me. He wanted to know what the book was, what was it about, blah blah blah.
The problem was that the book covers links between linguistics and neuroscience, speculating on how the formation of certain subsets of language common to all languages reflects commonalities among humans that may point us toward how our brains are hardwired to think. And that’s a terrible explanation of what the book is about, and it’s a fascinating book, and I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how to explain it without coming across like the pointy-headed nerd that I am, which would almost certainly have launched this chucklehead into a defense of his own intellectualism. He would not go away.
That kind of thing drives me crazy, and it means that even an innocent, five-second question about a book I’m reading raises my hackles, because I don’t know whether the questioner plans to turn it into a half-hour conversation or not.
I know it’s antisocial of me, but too bad: when I’m reading, I want to be left alone to read.
I would have spoken to her simply because I gain a morbid enjoyment when other people are socially uncomfortable 
I came in to say exactly this, but you already said it, so instead I’m just going to quote your post and point at it emphatically. So, so very sick of people trying to strike up conversations with me at the bus stop or on the bus/train/plane while I’m reading or listening to music.
That is probably a bit much. It would’ve been better to say “Oh I read that book as a little girl and LOVE IT.”
If the girl wanted to say anything she would’ve, if not that gives her an option to just nod.
I’m a 45 year old man and kids seem to just love me. They will come right over and just start talking away.
Not once has the parent ever looked especially bothered by this. Once in awhile the parent will say “Oh leave that man alone.” But usually the parent looks happy that he won’t have to deal with that kid anymore.
To be fair though, every little kid that comes over and talks to me is a little chatterbox, so I can see how it gets on the parents nerves.
I have a year on you, but you said what I was thinking.
This is purely my take on things, but when I’m out in public I’m fair game for being asked for directions, for help, or just to have a totally random conversation with a stranger. I prefer reading in a quiet room but if I were reading outside and someone asked or commented about my book, I’d be happy to talk to them about it.
I tend to not get out much, so I really enjoy those odd times when a like-minded stranger will strike up a friendly chat while we’re standing in line or something.
Thank you NinjaChick. You’ve stated my opinion on the reading crashers quite nicely.
So let’s change the scenario to she was holding the book but not reading it. Then would you say something? I think I might depending on my mood. My belief is that a 13 yo girl would not want to talk to me about anything so, as someone stated above, I’d just gauge their reply, if any, and not say another word if that was indicated.
I don’t have much occasion to talk to teenage girls but every so often my coworker’s 14 yo daughter comes into the office and we’ll (myself and a few other coworkers) ask her questions. Sometimes the opinions of a 14yo girl are entertaining. That being said she often has stories of creepy old men trying to talk to her on the bus.
Probably not. I’m not a guy, but I don’t really like talking to random strangers in public too much. I don’t always mind talking to others but in general I keep to myself. I think I’d be very unlikely to strike up a random conversation with a younger person in particular because I’d feel weird.
Talking to someone just because they are reading i.e. “What ya reading for? Are you bored?” is really annoying.
But if you know the book and have something intelligent to say, I think its fine. I love reading and its nice to know someone else appreciated the book I am reading too. I don’t want to talk to every random stranger, but I am usually happy to talk to someone who shares an interest with me. Knowing there are other people out there like me makes me feel a nice connection with my fellow humans, instead of my usual cranky alienation. If I don’t want to talk about the book for some reason I can just smile and keep reading.
And **SHAKES ** reminded us of the wisdom of George Costanza.
So, feel free to talk to someone who is reading, just shut the hell up if they don’t seem interested. And consider better personal hygiene if they are completely repulsed.
If it’s a book I really enjoyed, especially if it’s something that not everybody knows about, I’d probably comment. Something like, “Oh, XYZ is one of my favorites! Are you enjoying it?”
I would have commented that it was a good book. If she wanted to talk about it or anything else, I would have been happy to.
I am a female.
When I was her age, and even now, I had no problem with people commenting on a book I was reading and I’d be happy to put it down if they wanted to talk about books. The only time I don’t like being interrupted while reading is when it is just constant bugging (like my nephew who doesn’t understand the fun in reading).
I have always been the type to talk to strangers, whether they start the conversation or I do.
It’s surprising actually, even to me, because for the most part I don’t like being around other people and silence is a good thing.
I never read the book, FWIW.
If anyone was reading a title I liked, I would attempt a conversation at a non-reading moment, regardless of age or gender. I wouldn’t push it if they acted like I was a moron.
Yeah, but if you’re a guy that means you’ve been looking in the general direction of her chest. :eek: