(no subject)

[oyceter]

When I sit down to eat lunch and you ask me if you can sit at the same table, it does not mean I instantly want to engage in conversation. This is taken to the nth degree when the first thing I do is not look at you or say hi, but instead pick up a book and read it.

Furthermore, when I am answering in single syllables to avoid talking to you, it means I do not want to talk to you! Go away! Smoke your cigar elsewhere!

I hate people who do that, as this person did today at lunch. I ate my sandwich as fast as humanely possible to get out of the situation. Didn't know this guy at all, and I freak out very easily when people who look twice my age attempt to sit down when I am by myself and make conversation.

And I particularly hate people who say stupid things (while I read). Look, I don't want to tell you why I like this book. I do not want to discuss my reading habits. I do not want to tell you my name or anything.

I hate people who do this on the airplane too. You would think that me having my nose deep in a book would signal that I am quite occupied and DO NOT WANT TO TALK. But nooooo.

Plus, it really creeps me out.

Comments

[tonapah.livejournal.com]

The airplane thing is the most annoying thing to me. I find it incredibly presumptuous of someone to think that their conversation is so interesting that I'm going to put down my book just to listen to their blather. These people are also the most oblivious people in the world. No matter how many one-syllable responses I give or how long it takes me to get around to answering, they just. keep. talking. And of course I can't just get up and leave, because I'm stuck there for the duration of the flight. Bah!

This post of yours rang very true for me.

[oyceter]

Exactly! My first reaction in general is "Shut up. I'm reading." except I never say it. Maybe I should start.

I feel like I should have some sort of light up buttom. Green means you are ok to go. Red means stop talking right now or I will shove this book in places where it was not meant to be.

[thewildmole.livejournal.com]

Oh, I *hate* that. I especially hate when they attempt to ingratiate themselves by asking what you're reading. At that point, I usually look up and answer that I'm reading a book, then go back to reading said book.

It drives me crazy. I'm perfectly happy sitting somewhere by myself and reading. I don't need anyone's "company" (especially when uninvited). Argh...

[oyceter]

Nyargh I know! I just sort of flashed him the cover of my book while still reading. One would think that was a not so subtle hint.

I don't really get the small talk people.

surfed over from melymbrosia link

[livinglaurel.livejournal.com]

YES! When I commuted regularly, desperate (I'm assuming) people would TAP ME ON THE SHOULDER while I was reading and listening to music on headphones on the bus, wanting to chat. I felt like I should just hold up a little sign saying I AM LISTENING TO SOMEONE MUCH MORE INTERESTING THAN YOU COULD EVER BE THROUGH THE WONDERFUL MEDIUM OF PRINT PLEASE GO AWAY NOW. But that wouldn't be a little sign.

People interrupted me for some reason a lot less frequently when I was writing. But I frequently got comments on how pretty my handwriting is (ha) or how fast I write, which could be shrugged off with a "Hhmmmmmmmmmmh." I will never understand the apparent American conviction that someone reading isn't really doing something.

moi

Re: surfed over from melymbrosia link

[oyceter]

Argh! I know! Or who knows, that somehow I would want to put down a perfectly good book to talk with a total stranger. Ugh.

Re: surfed over from melymbrosia link

[livinglaurel.livejournal.com]

The only thing worse is when it is some person trying to FLIRT with you. Ugh. "Whatcha readin?" in that coy manner. ARGH.

moi

Re: surfed over from melymbrosia link

[oyceter]

Yes! Ugh. Especially if they look twice your age and VERY sketchy.

Eep.

Re: surfed over from melymbrosia link

[livinglaurel.livejournal.com]

YES! We need a sign. Something pithy, yet polite. Or maybe not polite. "Buzz Off"?

moi

Re: surfed over from melymbrosia link

[oyceter]

I actually want a sort of small button with three LED lights -- red, green and yellow.

Red means STOP! Go away. Or shut up. Or both.

Green is you are interesting and can keep talking.

Yellow is I'm still making my mind up.

Hee. Or just -- GO AWAY.

Re: surfed over from melymbrosia link

[livinglaurel.livejournal.com]

Ooh, the LED sounds nice....plus, you could color-coordinate it with your clothing! or something. My ex-sister-in-law, who's about five feet tall, used to have one of those giant shirts with "DON'T BUG ME" in giant lettering on it. But I suppose it wouldn't be taken as a serious request....

moi