Why do people insist on talking to me while I'm reading?

Question

It's so inconsiderate! Sometimes, when I'm in a public place reading, people will approach me and talk to me. And don't get me wrong. I appreciate the fact that they went out of their way to speak to me, but don't you think it should be obvious to them that I don't want to be bothered while I'm reading?

These are usually casual acquaintances, though sometimes strangers will approach me.

Answer 1

Yes, it is annoying.

People who don't read for pleasure tend to assume you are doing it because you are bored, and don't realize that they are interrupting you from something that you really enjoy.

If you don't mind offending them a little, give a short answer and then an apology like, "I'm sorry, but I'm trying to finish this article" (or get to a stopping point, etc.) to let them know that they are bothering you. If they aren't completely clueless (and some people will be), they will go away or at least stop talking to you. For a clueless person, you may have to walk away and read elsewhere.

Answer 2

In this situation, I really do believe you are at fault and have the wrong attitude.
See, I read a lot, daily. Though I often carry books with me in public, I do not expect to get serious reading done in public. I have a home office and get my best work done there. The world is a social place and we should WANT to be social. All you need to be is polite and a little patient. Here's a trick I learned years ago, it may help you. When you're in public areas and do want to read without being disturbed, have an open bible in front of you. I've NEVER been disturbed while reading the bible. An opened laptop has the same effect. You will appear more seriously engaged and less likely to be bothered. Another solution is to politely but instantly let people know you're really concentrating on your reading and immediately resume reading!

Answer 3

I don't think it's completely obvious that you don't want to be talked to when reading, especially in a public place. After all, in public places, there is usually a lot of conversation going on. If I'm walking through somewhere and I see someone that I know, I think the polite thing to do is to talk to that person. If you wish not to be bothered, I recommend that you find a more secluded spot to read.

Answer 4

I think I know why.

When you're reading, you don't look busy. You're just sitting there looking at something. Busy people are running around and doing something physical. People tend not to interrupt or get in their way, becuase they know for sure they will be disturbed. If someone's reading, people think "well, this person's peaceful. I don't think he/she'll mind if I interrupt". Or some think "Hey, you're not busy. I'm gonna ask something." Others may think "I don't know if you're focusing or not, and if you are, tell me to go away."

When I read, I need an atmosphere that's near-silent. Otherwise I can't concentrate. I know how you feel. When I'm reading, usually I'm irritated and bored (becuase I have to read), so I welcome conversation. Especially when it's with someone who knows the topic who can teach it to me so I don't have to read the book, haha.

Also, are you reading in a public place? If you are, you're guaranteed a disturbance, but can't really blame people for interrupting you. If you're at home in a room, or in a library, then they shouldn't disturb you. Of course, if it's an important matter, I'd disturb a person whether they were busy or not.

The thing to remember, though, is this. People will disturb you whether you're reading or not. You just only notice it more when you're reading because it's distracting. It also has to do with the different sides of your brain. When you're reading or writing, you're concentrating on language, so someone talking to you will throw you off becuase you need the same parts of your brain to interpret and respond to the disturbance. When I do creative stuff, like art or programming, I like listening to music or talking with people. When I'm reading or writing, not so much.

Answer 5

It's just like watching a good TV program, when either the phone rings, someone comes to the door, your husband wants a stupid question answered right away, or your kids need attention, if they aren't interested in the book you are reading or the TV show, then no way are you going to be watching or reading either.

Answer 6

You take your chances while reading in a public place. There is a common standard of decorum and beahvior that one must suffer when in public. Unfortunately, one of those issues is chatter from strangers. That's why i wear my earphones when I reading, this way I can ignore chatteres when I'm reading. Not sure if that makes me rude, but it keeps me sane!

Billy!

Answer 7

OMG! I totally know where you're coming from. ppl always look at me like i'm not doing anything if i'm reading and start up a conversation and then think i'm rude if i dont have a lot of input and wanna get back to my book!

right on!

Answer 8

They probably think that reading is something that can be easily interrupted and you can just go back to reading whenever you want. They don´t realize that sometimes it involves a deep train of thought and that their disturbance can interfere with your concentration.

Answer 9

This is incredibly annoying...especially if it's a really good book and you can't/don't want to put it down! When people ask what I'm reading, I answer them, "Nothing--because you're talking to me."

Answer 10

I know what you mean. You get really into to it, then someone has to interupt you. It's like they see you enjoying things, and they want to ruin it for you. God people can be so annoying