This is Miss Manners in reverse.
Do you ask people what they are reading? When they are sitting near you in a doctor's waiting area, or the subway or wherever? Or do you steal glances at the cover and try to read the part of the title that isn't covered by their hands?
And have you ever had someone ask you? Do you rattle off the title without taking your eyes from the page? Or do you offer a full synopsis of what you've read thus far?
What do you think? What do you do?
Thanks for stopping by the blog and helping me satisfy my social-reading-etiquette curiosity!
4 comments:
I don't think I've ever asked a stranger what he/she is reading, but I'm always dying to know! I'm not really one to strike up a conversation with a stranger though, so it doesn't mean it's not okay to do so. I bet if they broke the ice and struck up a conversation with me I would ask. I don't think it's rude, if that's what you're asking. :) Great question!
See, I want to know too! I'm glad I'm not the only one!
I've done it plenty, ask what they're reading. I get a 50-50 response...some are chatty and we talk about books for a while, I'm a voracious reader and it's a fun topic for me. Others give the shortest possible answer (just the title) and keep staring at their book. I figure, no big deal, I just won't talk with you. I've been asked about my books when I'm in Dr's offices etc and it really depends on my mood how I reply as well. So I understand both responses. Sometimes people even just hold it up for me to read the title myself, those people usually end up wanting to talk as well~ after they get to a good stopping point :)
Diane, that gives me courage! I know I don't mind talking about what I'm reading.
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