keep getting interrupted while reading

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by rebarnmom

You ARE the "Go-To" Girl, KK!

apparently!

Originally Posted by brainycat

I agree. I carry an imposing demeanor, so I don't deal with this problem too much. But I know exactly what you mean. I think that for "nonreaders", it's difficult to imagine being absorbed in a book. I think they don't even realize they're being rude - to them, it's probably like making a comment to someone watching a game on tv.

I have a host of rude replies I keep handy for this situation:
"I'm enjoying the company of a literate person"
"It's a called a 'book'. You should try it sometime"
"I WAS reading, until some stranger rudely interrupted me"
"Which part of staring at a book and ignoring you says 'Hey! Talk to me!'"
"Who me? I'm sorry, I thought you were trying to talk to someone without anything better to do"

I dunno, I'm told I am fairly imposing looking, and I walk like what I am... cowgirl, former soldier, mountain climber etc.... no mincing steps in stilettos. I guess I kind of have that reliable sort of appearance

[lene1949]

When I used to go out (for the evening) I was told by several people I looked un-approachable, Like I was in a 'glass cage', someone said.. lolol... I had no idea. I went out to meet people! That was 20 years ago.

The 'glass cage' still stands... I'm never approached by anyone in public, and I like it that way... These days I don't need to meet people, I have my work and my animals.

If I were in a hotel, there's no way, I'd be reading in the lounge/restaurant/whatever... I'd be going to the room I'd booked...

My daughter says I'm a HERMIT..

[Prash]

Originally Posted by phenomshel

But I love it when people ask me what I have - When I had the Astak, that poor thing got handled by every doctor and nurse at our local clinic, I think. I had it during the time Chris was having multiple appointments. Every time one would walk through the waiting area they'd have to stop, ask what it was (or if it was a Kindle...I never did get that one, as the Astak was maroon), and play with it. My explanations turned into mini lectures about ebooks, LOL!
I haven't been out much with the Sony yet, but I'm sure once I am, I'll get the same reactions, and honestly, I hope I do. But then again, I like people and enjoy talking about my passions (ebooks and tech.).

We're on the same boat here.
I make friends easily and have many of them. I'll see how my public e-book reading experience goes once I have my reader with me. I travel to work in buses which takes about 3 hours daily, so I am hoping I'll get lots of time/chance to explain about ebooks/ebook readers and probably will get to know many more people in the process, assuming people in India are as inquisitive as those in places such as yours.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by brainycat

I agree. I carry an imposing demeanor, so I don't deal with this problem too much. But I know exactly what you mean. I think that for "nonreaders", it's difficult to imagine being absorbed in a book. I think they don't even realize they're being rude - to them, it's probably like making a comment to someone watching a game on tv.

I have a host of rude replies I keep handy for this situation:
"I'm enjoying the company of a literate person"
"It's a called a 'book'. You should try it sometime"
"I WAS reading, until some stranger rudely interrupted me"
"Which part of staring at a book and ignoring you says 'Hey! Talk to me!'"
"Who me? I'm sorry, I thought you were trying to talk to someone without anything better to do"

I really don't think it's justifyable to be rude to people in these situations. One can make it clear that one does not wish to be disturbed politely.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by daffy4u

Some folks are not comfortable being alone and they think you're the same way, so they try to keep you company.

I know that such people do exist, but it's a mindset that I really don't understand. Not being happy in your own company to me indicates some sort of problem; perhaps a lack of self-confidence.

[roger the rabbit]

Originally Posted by mjhudston

This is seriously now bugging me. As I work away from home a lot, and spend many nights in hotels alone, I rely heavily on my various ereader devices to keep me occupied whilst in the hotels in the evening.

So why do people think it's acceptable, to interrupt me and ask me what I am doing. They dont ask someone using a laptop, or reading a paper back, so why me, when I have my Sony or iPad out.

Is it just me, or am I just intolerant to people who keep invading my space.

Perhaps they're just trying to pick you up!

[GraceKrispy]

Originally Posted by patrickt

I don't get disturbed often but it only irritates me if they say, "Ohhhh, is that an IPad?"
.

I get very tired of "is that a kindle??" when people look at my sony. I don't get asked a ton, but I do generate a fair amount of interest with my sony in public. I don't always mind it, but sometimes I'm very engaged in the story, or I really just don't want to be social for a while. And I do get irritated that every ebook reader out there is a "kindle." I think someone did ask me if it was a nook once as well....

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Or........you could read out loud, to yourself, in a very low voice.

People would think you were a little on the batty side and definitely not approach!

I like this idea, but I think the reading should be in a very loud and childish way. No need to do it all the time, just when you see people approaching "AND TH...TH...THEN HE SAY-ED TO HER...."

[astra]

Originally Posted by mjhudston

This is seriously now bugging me. As I work away from home a lot, and spend many nights in hotels alone, I rely heavily on my various ereader devices to keep me occupied whilst in the hotels in the evening.

So why do people think it's acceptable, to interrupt me and ask me what I am doing. They dont ask someone using a laptop, or reading a paper back, so why me, when I have my Sony or iPad out.

Is it just me, or am I just intolerant to people who keep invading my space.

Read this topic:
When people ask what you're reading.... what do you do?
you might find it amusing.

[astra]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I really don't think it's justifyable to be rude to people in these situations. One can make it clear that one does not wish to be disturbed politely.

I am going to ask you this. You seems like the proper English gentleman.
I always read during my lunch. I go to canteen, have a lunch then read. There is this guy who works in the same organisation (he is being disliked by many but we are friendly). !However!, whenever he sees me there he comes with his plate, sits next to me and starts chatting. How do I tell him to leave me alone, politely? I am there to escape the work/environment. To have one hour of getting away from the real world and I want to read!!!

[astra]

Originally Posted by phenomshel

Weelll...being a native Texan (even though I live in Illinois now) it's probably a REALLY good thing I don't live in the UK...I can strike up a conversation with the person in the grocery line with me and leave with a friend (it's a Southern U.S. thing....). Apparently, I'd be miserable in the UK, and so would everyone I came in contact with!

You would definitely drive me nuts

[astra]

Originally Posted by patrickt

I don't get disturbed often but it only irritates me if they say, "Ohhhh, is that an IPad?"

It used to infuriate me when my wife would stand, sigh heavily, and say, "Don't you want to do anything?"

"I'm doing something. Something I rather enjoy. I'm reading a book."

"Well, wouldn't you rather go shopping at the mall?"

Yeah, right.

Yeah. Go with her. When you arrive, let her run around on her own (the moment she sees shops she forgets about your existence, at least until she finds what she would like to buy and then she wants your opinion about it ) and sit in a café and read your book.

[Latinandgreek]

Originally Posted by phenomshel

Weelll...being a native Texan (even though I live in Illinois now) it's probably a REALLY good thing I don't live in the UK...I can strike up a conversation with the person in the grocery line with me and leave with a friend (it's a Southern U.S. thing....). Apparently, I'd be miserable in the UK, and so would everyone I came in contact with!

I'm the same way! I'm a Southern European (sort of) - maybe it's a "Southern" thing?

[Richey79]

People are at least as interesting as whatever I might be reading.

I'm glad when people want to talk to me about what I'm doing, and I'm glad I must look approachable enough that people do so; even in the supposedly mind-your-own-business UK.

Mind-you, I do live in the North .

[Soldim]

I have kids, I have gotten used to being interrupted when reading (or any other activity, for that matter).

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by astra

I am going to ask you this. You seems like the proper English gentleman.
I always read during my lunch. I go to canteen, have a lunch then read. There is this guy who works in the same organisation (he is being disliked by many but we are friendly). !However!, whenever he sees me there he comes with his plate, sits next to me and starts chatting. How do I tell him to leave me alone, politely? I am there to escape the work/environment. To have one hour of getting away from the real world and I want to read!!!

It is difficult, I agree. Perhaps tell a small untruth and say something like "I'm very sorry, but I need to finish this book for an evening class I'm taking" or something like that?