Pleasure Reading Learning Survey

untiedknot · 04-12-2009, 03:39 PM

Hi everyone, I am doing some research for a school project and I was hoping I could get some feedback from those of you who are active pleasure readers. Once I have surveyed a bunch of people I will post the data from the questions I've collected here for all to see.

Please take my quick 10 question survey (you don't have to register anything) and I'll post up the results soon.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?s...jTJuz3HQ_3d_3d

zelda_pinwheel · 04-12-2009, 03:52 PM

hi untiedknot, and welcome to the forum. can you tell us a bit more about your research ? it sounds interesting.

i've taken your survey. one question in particular i had a bit of trouble answering, because of the choices available :

Quote:

10. How focused are you pleasure reading in public places?

- I get easily distracted in public spaces

- Somewhat focused

- I'm very focused, people don't bother me

when i'm reading in a café for instance part of the pleasure of being there is noticing what goes on around me, so i look up from time to time and watch people. but i can also be very focused on what i'm reading and not be distracted at all if i don't want to be. i chose "somewhat focused" but it's not because i'm necessarily distracted ; it depends on the situation. and in general, people don't bother me when i read, i can read almost anywhere. but perhaps i'm thinking too hard...

untiedknot · 04-13-2009, 10:56 PM

Hey Pinwheel, I am studying the way people read outdoors to discover if there are ways to encourage people to spend more time enjoying themselves outside. I'm hoping to propose an solution to combat the addiction to staying inside like vampires, staring at TV and Computer screens all day.

With question ten, what I'm curious about is if people prefer to be in silence to enjoy their reading. So far I've gotten mixed results, where some people feel they can't get into a story without a quiet environment. Others, such as yourself, seem to enjoy others' company.

I'm getting some great feedback and look forward to sharing it soon. Thanks for taking my survey

sirbruce · 04-13-2009, 11:18 PM

I took the survey the other day; afraid I don't do reading outdoors anymore but I used to back in college.

rgeorg · 04-14-2009, 01:36 AM

I took your survey but I'm afraid that I wasn't much help. The sunlight is generally so strong in Greece that most people avoid it (except at the beach).

People are outside alot - but in shaded (and seated) places.

SaraD · 04-14-2009, 01:53 AM

Please also remember that many people have bad allergies and "outside" and "relaxing" are total opposite. "Outside" is more like torture! For instance, during grass/tree pollen season in the spring, grain/hay harvest in the summer and into fall I cannot spend more than a few minutes outside without being medicated. A public park is misery - what if they mowed the grass this morning? The neighbor's dandelion problem - gastly! I like winter because I have much more freedom to go where I please even with the bulky clothes for an Inland Northwest winter on the Idaho/Washington border.

zelda_pinwheel · 04-14-2009, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaraD

Please also remember that many people have bad allergies and "outside" and "relaxing" are total opposite. "Outside" is more like torture! For instance, during grass/tree pollen season in the spring, grain/hay harvest in the summer and into fall I cannot spend more than a few minutes outside without being medicated. A public park is misery - what if they mowed the grass this morning? The neighbor's dandelion problem - gastly! I like winter because I have much more freedom to go where I please even with the bulky clothes for an Inland Northwest winter on the Idaho/Washington border.

heh, i was about to point out that where i live, the weather is not necessarily warm / dry enough to permit reading outside much of the year, unless "outside" is expanded to include public enclosed places like cafés.

Sweetpea · 04-14-2009, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by untiedknot

Hey Pinwheel, I am studying the way people read outdoors to discover if there are ways to encourage people to spend more time enjoying themselves outside. I'm hoping to propose an solution to combat the addiction to staying inside like vampires, staring at TV and Computer screens all day.

A hammock in every backgarden should do the trick

It's my favourite place to read, comfortable and shady under the tree...

(but I have to kill a certain cat as he gnawed through a few strings this winter!)

zelda_pinwheel · 04-14-2009, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

A hammock in every backgarden should do the trick

It's my favourite place to read, comfortable and shady under the tree...

(but I have to kill a certain cat as he gnawed through a few strings this winter!)

hmmm, i wish i had a hammock (and a backgarden to hang it in) !!! would be perfect for today...

deety · 04-14-2009, 12:42 PM

When I was a kid, my favorite reading spot was a makeshift hammock tied up in a tree in our yard. The leaves made it tough to see me unless someone was directly underneath the tree, so it was great to be able to hide out and focus on my book. I also used to read outside in college, but it was really convenient to find somewhere to stop off after class - especially because it was usually easier than asking my passive aggressive roommate to turn her music off or use her headphones.

But I can't remember the last time I read outside, apart from outdoor coffee shop seating. Our yard is a little too distracting, and we aren't in walking distance of any place that I'd want to sit around outside for a few hours. Whenever I go anywhere specific to spend time outdoors, it's either for an event or just to spend time with friends.

ficbot · 04-14-2009, 04:18 PM

I checked it out but quit after the outside questions started. The only outdoor reading I do is at the bus stop waiting for the bus. There is a joke in my city that we only have only three seasons here: Almost Winter, Winter, and July

Not very conducive to reading outdoors for fun.

JSWolf · 04-14-2009, 05:54 PM

In the Boston area, I do see some people reading books or the free newspapers on public transportation. I do see people read in Boston Common and Copley Square.

What I find amusing is seeing people lugging around the big heavy hardbacks.

Phogg · 04-14-2009, 06:29 PM

Kimmy and I do read outside.

It is much easier to read electronic books in a 20 mph wind than paper ones.

catsittingstill · 04-14-2009, 07:08 PM

I read outside sometimes, but in Tennesee you kind of have to pick your moments. Spring and fall, if the weather is nice, it's nice to be outside. In the summer it's too hot and humid and in the winter it rains a lot.

On the other hand, I have been known to put my Kindle in a zip-loc bag and go for a walk in the rain, reading all the way :-)

Patricia · 04-14-2009, 07:56 PM

I'm afraid that i can't see the attraction of lying (not laying) on the ground if there is a chair or sofa available. I have a suspicion that some of my older colleagues would find it difficult to rise from a recumbent position on the ground.
Also, many women (and quite a few men) might well feel the need to stay alert in public open spaces, for safety reasons.

04-12-2009, 03:39 PM	#1
untiedknot Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: none	Pleasure Reading Learning Survey Hi everyone, I am doing some research for a school project and I was hoping I could get some feedback from those of you who are active pleasure readers. Once I have surveyed a bunch of people I will post the data from the questions I've collected here for all to see. Please take my quick 10 question survey (you don't have to register anything) and I'll post up the results soon. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?s...jTJuz3HQ_3d_3d

04-14-2009, 01:36 AM	#5
rgeorg Guru Posts: 675 Karma: 3314796 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Europe & USA Device: K3/3G(2x), Glo HD, Amazon Voyage	Very stron sunlight in Greece! I took your survey but I'm afraid that I wasn't much help. The sunlight is generally so strong in Greece that most people avoid it (except at the beach). People are outside alot - but in shaded (and seated) places.

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04-13-2009, 10:56 PM	#3
untiedknot Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: none	Hey Pinwheel, I am studying the way people read outdoors to discover if there are ways to encourage people to spend more time enjoying themselves outside. I'm hoping to propose an solution to combat the addiction to staying inside like vampires, staring at TV and Computer screens all day. With question ten, what I'm curious about is if people prefer to be in silence to enjoy their reading. So far I've gotten mixed results, where some people feel they can't get into a story without a quiet environment. Others, such as yourself, seem to enjoy others' company. I'm getting some great feedback and look forward to sharing it soon. Thanks for taking my survey

04-13-2009, 11:18 PM	#4
sirbruce Provocateur Posts: 1,859 Karma: 505847 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Columbus, OH Device: Kindle Touch, Kindle 2, Kindle DX, iPhone 3GS	I took the survey the other day; afraid I don't do reading outdoors anymore but I used to back in college.

04-14-2009, 01:53 AM	#6
SaraD Groupie Posts: 161 Karma: 2670 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mead, WA, USA Device: Sony 650, Basic Kindle 7th generation	Please also remember that many people have bad allergies and "outside" and "relaxing" are total opposite. "Outside" is more like torture! For instance, during grass/tree pollen season in the spring, grain/hay harvest in the summer and into fall I cannot spend more than a few minutes outside without being medicated. A public park is misery - what if they mowed the grass this morning? The neighbor's dandelion problem - gastly! I like winter because I have much more freedom to go where I please even with the bulky clothes for an Inland Northwest winter on the Idaho/Washington border.

04-14-2009, 12:42 PM	#10
deety book geek Posts: 51 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: Kindle 2	When I was a kid, my favorite reading spot was a makeshift hammock tied up in a tree in our yard. The leaves made it tough to see me unless someone was directly underneath the tree, so it was great to be able to hide out and focus on my book. I also used to read outside in college, but it was really convenient to find somewhere to stop off after class - especially because it was usually easier than asking my passive aggressive roommate to turn her music off or use her headphones. But I can't remember the last time I read outside, apart from outdoor coffee shop seating. Our yard is a little too distracting, and we aren't in walking distance of any place that I'd want to sit around outside for a few hours. Whenever I go anywhere specific to spend time outdoors, it's either for an event or just to spend time with friends.

04-14-2009, 04:18 PM	#11
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	I checked it out but quit after the outside questions started. The only outdoor reading I do is at the bus stop waiting for the bus. There is a joke in my city that we only have only three seasons here: Almost Winter, Winter, and July Not very conducive to reading outdoors for fun.

04-14-2009, 05:54 PM	#12
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,887 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	In the Boston area, I do see some people reading books or the free newspapers on public transportation. I do see people read in Boston Common and Copley Square. What I find amusing is seeing people lugging around the big heavy hardbacks.

04-14-2009, 06:29 PM	#13
Phogg PHD in Horribleness Posts: 2,320 Karma: 23599604 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: In the ironbound section, near avenue L Device: Just a whole bunch. I guess I am a collector now.	Kimmy and I do read outside. It is much easier to read electronic books in a 20 mph wind than paper ones.

04-14-2009, 07:08 PM	#14
catsittingstill Guru Posts: 643 Karma: 551634 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle 1.0.8, iPod Touch, Kindle Keyboard	I read outside sometimes, but in Tennesee you kind of have to pick your moments. Spring and fall, if the weather is nice, it's nice to be outside. In the summer it's too hot and humid and in the winter it rains a lot. On the other hand, I have been known to put my Kindle in a zip-loc bag and go for a walk in the rain, reading all the way :-)

04-14-2009, 07:56 PM	#15
Patricia Reader Posts: 11,504 Karma: 8720163 Join Date: May 2007 Location: South Wales, UK Device: Sony PRS-500, PRS-505, Asus EEEpc 4G	I'm afraid that i can't see the attraction of lying (not laying) on the ground if there is a chair or sofa available. I have a suspicion that some of my older colleagues would find it difficult to rise from a recumbent position on the ground. Also, many women (and quite a few men) might well feel the need to stay alert in public open spaces, for safety reasons.

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