keep getting interrupted while reading

[astra]

Originally Posted by HarryT

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?

We will see...I think I am going to be the Russian Tank as my better 2/3s calls me, otherwise it is going to be only a one time escape, postponing the inevitable.

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

apparently!



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

I love the way you put that!

[rhmorrison]

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.

My question is...

What are people doing in your hotel room asking you questions when you are supposedly there in the evening 'alone' reading?

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by HarryT

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?

No need to lie about it. Just politely explain that it is nothing against the person (unless it is, then just skip that part) but that this time is one of your rare opportunities to escape the world via a good book and that you would appreciate it if s/he would allow you to read uninterrupted.

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald

No need to lie about it. Just politely explain that it is nothing against the person (unless it is, then just skip that part) but that this time is one of your rare opportunities to escape the world via a good book and that you would appreciate it if s/he would allow you to read uninterrupted.

gotta go with this one. might even say it is crucial to your mental clarity/health

[MrPLD]

Aye, getting interrupted is enough to make me EXPLODE. I get like that when watching an informative TV broadcast too - my brain is in "information receptive" mode and getting it slapped out by someone asking Q's is not enjoyable.

Someone here (I think it was Neilmarr) mentioned about wearing a specific hat that indicated "If you disturb me I will not like you" or similar.

Sure, if it's an emergency ( "The house is on fire!" ) then I suppose being interrupted is acceptable, anything other than that should be punished

Paul.

[AdamV]

to prevent similar things to occur to me, i have developed two weapons i use regularly:
1. i put my headphones on and turn on the music on my mobile pretty loudly - even if someones trying to talk to and I do not see it, I do not know - very rarely someone tries to get my attention by waving a hand or touching me - it usually is important then like helping that person or just letting one to pass (eg. in a subway) - but with most of the cases, it works since I cannot really tell im bothered in public
2. when I eventually am - and it's a case i am expected to give an answer, i use a geeky one - using some not very common words or speaking very literacy language usually makes people like "ok, thanks bud"... if it doesn't scare the person out, who knows, maybe it's worth talking to him/her?

[Maggie Leung]

Ask 'em whether they've found the Lord or whether they'd like to hear about a multi-level marketing program. They'll flee.

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by Maggie Leung

Ask 'em whether they've found the Lord or whether they'd like to hear about a multi-level marketing program. They'll flee.

[kiwipippa]

My son's teacher used to wear a sign pinned to her chest saying "Go away, I'm busy". She wore it when she was doing one on one work with a child so that other kids didn't interrupt. The kids thought it was hilarious and it worked. Maybe that's an idea for all us frustrated e-readers.

[Quake1028]

I really need to start taking my e-readers out more to the library, bookstores and such and test this out. I'm a big guy with a tough looking persona (even though I'm a wuss), so it would be an interesting social experiment.

[mjhudston]

Originally Posted by rhmorrison

My question is...

What are people doing in your hotel room asking you questions when you are supposedly there in the evening 'alone' reading?

I never said my hotel room, I said hotel, which normally means in the bar or restaurant having a drink or meal.

I'm thinking of making up a sign to put on the back of my iPad cover. Something along the lines of "leave me alone" or something not quite so polite.

[brecklundin]

Originally Posted by mjhudston

Erm Harry, I'm in Ashford Kent tonight, and live here in the UK. sorry to burst your bubble

SCOREBOARD!!

[Fbone]

I'm surprised. The British usually respect your privacy especially if you appear busy. Unless they had a pint that loosened them up.

Although during my visit I found it unnecessarily difficult to strike up conversations and in Germany even more so.

At the grocery store today I chatted with a customer at the deli counter, beneath the canned pineapple, two in check-out line and one in the parking lot. Plus several employees. And I'm generally not outgoing.

[Freeshadow]

I'm seldom asked or interrupted, sometimes I'm the evil one being corious WHAT sb. other reads. when ppl ask about the reader I usually pause reading, and give as so. already says a "lecture" - with great bookshelves comes great responsibility
when someone asks if the reader's a kindle I am nasty enough to answer "No, this is actually a real ebook reader, not only a portable amazon-outlet"

@lene you can't be so much a hermit as I am - you have at least the one daughter you spoke of



note about go-away items: thinkgeek sells a shirt, that says:

You 've read my T-shirt.
that's enough socialisation for today.