01-07-2013, 06:46 AM | #1 |
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ereaders spell end to train/bus sub-culture
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01-07-2013, 08:45 AM | #2 |
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Hmm, so the subculture that's about to tragically end is the peep-other-travellers-books one? Hmm, guess I can do without that one.
Even when I was only reading P-books in public transport, I was not exactly overjoyed if strangers chose to address me over my choice of reading material. Yes, sometimes I see somebody reading a book that I think is a good one. Do I address them to commend them on it? Ask how they like it? Tell them the punch line? Most often not, as I guess that the fact that they are reading a book that I am also interested in does not mean that they would prefer discussing the book to reading it in peace. And the only times when I was myself looking at others' books were mainly when I was thinking myself "shit, should have packed a book myself. Stupid me to forget that". Best regards, Andy |
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01-07-2013, 09:38 AM | #3 |
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Frankly, if it means that some people will not have an excuse for looking over our shoulder to supposedly read our book / newspaper while all the time staring at a part of our anatomy, I'm all for the end of this sub-culture.
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01-07-2013, 10:15 AM | #4 |
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I often have people ask me what I'm reading on my ereader. If anything, the fact that they can't tell without asking makes it more 'social'.
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01-07-2013, 10:51 AM | #5 |
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In Japan, people put covers on their book in order to protect them* (they're sold at second-hand bookshops) but also to prevent others to see what they're reading. I guess ereaders won't make a difference there.
* When one buys a new book, the clerk usually asks if a paper cover is needed. |
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01-07-2013, 11:02 AM | #6 | |
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Commuters can still look at you boobs and read even easier now that you have an ereader. I enjoy looking at what strangers are reading, its fun for me Ive allways liked watching people in public. I must admit its awesome that I can un ashamedly read childrens literature outside the house. A little too intelectualy insecure otherwise I guess. Maybe if I had a beard........ |
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01-07-2013, 11:41 AM | #7 |
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01-07-2013, 11:50 AM | #8 |
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I tend to peek over people's shoulders, pbook or ebook, and know that others do the same. I've never had anyone comment on the book itself, but the subject of the books have certain served as conversation openers. I'm fine with all of that. It is a public space after all. If you don't want others to see what you're reading, you should be reading it in a private space.
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01-07-2013, 12:01 PM | #9 |
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I guess that must be a cultural thing, it never happened to me and I believe it would be considered kind of rude. YMMW
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01-07-2013, 12:09 PM | #10 |
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When I started e-reading I was conscious of the loss of a public-facing book cover. Y'all can laugh about it but talking about the book someone reads was an excellent breaking-the-ice social manuever. You know, before we found our dates on the internet, lol.
Sure, plenty of people are annoyed when their reading is interrupted. Plenty of people stay single too. |
01-07-2013, 12:47 PM | #11 | |
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But if I'm reading C.J. Cherryh, for example, it can be nice to talk to someone who also likes her books. |
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01-07-2013, 01:02 PM | #12 |
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On the other hand, I would love to chat with someone about a book I'm reading (or he/she's reading), but it's not common over here.
In Japan, it happened to me once in the subway. A Japanese man commenting my book (I don't put covers ), kind of bold given the circumstances but I was so ecstatic for days, I can tell you. In France, someone asked me about ereaders and I was more than glad to share as much as I could. It was weird because it was an inspector, minutes after having checked my pass. In London, once again in the subway, a little boy came to me and started to touch my reader believing it was a tablet It was a little bit confusing (to me), but I explained to him it was an ereader and he didn't need to press the screen hard by showing him how to turn the pages. He played with it for a couple of minutes, before getting off with his mum. Those interactions are definitely a cultural and quite fascinating thing So maybe, instead of talking to strangers of their book, people will talk about their ereader? (win-win) |
01-07-2013, 03:47 PM | #13 |
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ereaders spell end to train/bus sub-culture
Does that mean that I don't need any Heidegger and Sartre dust jackets for my ereader any more when I am actually reading some detective fiction? |
01-09-2013, 09:05 AM | #14 |
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If you don't need them anymore, send them to me...still need to use some to hide Harry Potter or other kidish litt. (Shhh I have a master degreee in litterature, don't tell them I enjoy HP! :P)
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01-09-2013, 12:26 PM | #15 |
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Having an ereader hasn't changed the subculture for me. No matter where I go, someone asks (a) how do you like your ereader? I'm thinking of getting one and/or (b) What are you reading? I bring handicapped relatives to appointments all the time and I think the only place I'm not asked this is at the dentist office (although my dentist always asks what I am reading). I don't mind. I save the cozy mysteries and frothy fantasy/sci fi for away from home since I know interruptions are the standard.
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