Reading in public
By dex1007
@dex1007 (556)
Malaysia
August 21, 2009 2:47am CST
Hello mylotters. How is it going? I'm sure many of us here are intense readers. We read a lot of stuff, from fiction to non fiction self improvement books, news paper, magazines, we also occasionally flick through some gossip, just curious i suppose.
Do you find yourself conscious of what you read on the subway, or bus stops? Those who read romance, the covers sometimes are extreme, does that bother you? or are you a working adult who rolls up the magazine you read from others?
I was on a plane once, long trip, I knew i'll never fall asleep during the flight so i had picked up some random magazines to read, they were some gossip magazines and some fashion magazines. I'm not an average magazine reader, so reading gossip i guess not my cup of tea, i had a novel in my bag too, but decide to keep it for desperate times of boredom. This person beside me kept looking at what i was reading, first it was amusing, then boring, then annoying. what can i say, long trips make me annoyed. I even offered her the magazine to read, but she said 'no thanks.' nice.. what did she want from me? bugged me the entire time... oh and did i mention I ALWAYS get the seat with a kid behind me, who lovesssss kicking chairs. ALWAYS. lol. I try not to say anything, but once a while i'd turn to glare at the parent who looked at me in total cluelessness. it sounds funny, but it was not funny then, i lacked sleep and dehydrated. air hostess give kid's tea cup size liquid when you ask them. you can only ask too many times.
lol. I don't like to complain. but it was not my dream trip.
6 people like this
20 responses
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
21 Aug 09
Hi dex, in recent years I must say I invariably get the child in the seat behind who kicks. There is no way I'd have your patience though and satisfy myself with a glare. First kick, usually before take off, and I turn round and politely tell the parent to please ensure the child does not kick again. It tends to work. When the child invariably becomes bored and decides to stick a head through the seat to see what I'm reading (I don't like having my personal space invaded) I tell said child to sit back and put the seatbelt on.
Know what you mean about the gossip magazines, I always made sure I picked up a copy of 'Private Eye' at the airport.
@thea09 (18305)
• Greece
21 Aug 09
I'm hard on other peoples kids when the parents don't bother how they behave. The last few times I've flown my son was with me and he'd have been 8 then but he knew not to disturb other people and had plenty of things to keep him occupied. I would have felt very embarrassed if I couldn't or wasn't interested enough to bother , to stop him kicking the seat in front.
@dex1007 (556)
• Malaysia
21 Aug 09
well maybe its because one as a kid, the lady in front of me called a flight attendant and told her to tell my mom to control me. LOL! embarrassing, to add more baggage my dad scolded me. And so the thus, the true reason, i keep quite. i don't want to make a kid feel bad, he or she is probably excited to be on trip, should enjoy self. lol. you're kinda hard on the kids. but understandable, i suppose since you paid for a flight not baby-sitting. :)
@Preciousgem (1182)
• Philippines
21 Aug 09
I like to read in public, like bookstore, i always read on there, if i am waiting some one like my classmates, and if i have a vacant in school before when i am studying and my family, to consume my hours wisely, and waiting for the time to get home.
1 person likes this
@metschica25 (5399)
• United States
21 Aug 09
I always find myself reading as well . my parents really didnt read themselves that often but they read to us kids and all . I mean sure they read maybe a few books a year and i do like 2 books a month!
@stvasile (7306)
• Romania
21 Aug 09
I didn't use to read in public, but I've come to realize the half-an-hour subway trip to and from work is a total waste of time, so I picked up the habit of taking a book with me to read while in the station, waiting for the subway, or on the subway. When I have too many things on my had to focus on reading books, I read the main titles from other people's newspapers - it keeps me connected to the news and also kills some lost time.
@metschica25 (5399)
• United States
21 Aug 09
Hello,
Reading does help to pass the time and I kinda am the same way when I have way too many thoughts I really dont . I find myself daydreaming and getting lost when on the subway, bus , or train ... Still peaceful none the less tho!
1 person likes this
@robert19ph (4577)
• Philippines
22 Aug 09
hello dex1007,
I don't read in public place. More when I'm having a long trip. I'd rather sleep, watch movie or sight see than reading. For they say that reading while the bus is in motion is bad to our eyes. And I believe that for before when I read while in the bus my eyes will get watery. So from then on, I never read.
Too bad that you did not enjoy your long trip. Maybe the guy next to you want's to know you but he doesn't have enough courage to do it.
@dex1007 (556)
• Malaysia
24 Aug 09
5 hours over trip can become make you slightly restless, especially if you are sitting in a small area, reading is a good way to distract myself. you are right, vehicles that move or shake is bad for your eyes, but i can't help it, I like to read. happy mylotting.
1 person likes this
@suesan35 (478)
• Sri Lanka
23 Aug 09
I read wherever and whenever I get the chance. I remember when I was going to school, the school was very close to my home and I used to walk the short distance. The moment my home disappeared from view, I used to pull a book out of my bag and read it while walking. That was until one of my teachers saw me and gave me a lecture on the dangers of what I was doing. I read on the bus, the train, the plane, in waiting rooms, doctor's consultation rooms and at times even in bus stands. Since I'm not into torrid novels, the problem of covering up does not arise. In fact, I have a novel in front of me right now for an emergency, although I cannot imagine what that might be!
@LilDemonlady (67)
• United States
21 Aug 09
Whenever i have a longish trip to take i bring a book and pop on the headset to listen to music, the combo makes the trip go by pretty fast, plus with the headset on you don't notice (very often anyways) the people that are probably looking at you weird or checking out what your reading or doing the odd combo of both lol
@LilDemonlady (67)
• United States
24 Aug 09
Yeah, it does bring attention 0.o as for what i usually read, it depends on my mood. I'm into just about everything LOL so i find myself reading anything i can get my hands on. I do love historical fiction though and will read that as often as often as i can ^_^
@grecychunny26 (9483)
• Philippines
22 Aug 09
I do read in train sometimes when it is a long trip, but mostly when I have a long trip I try to close my eyes and listen to my MP4. As I have learned reading can cause hurt in the eyes and now I my eyes are irritated. I can't read anymore in moving vehicle. I avoid reading now unlike I can do before.
@lazeebee (5461)
• Malaysia
21 Aug 09
I often carry a book with me, just in case I've to wait for ages, for example, at the doctor, airport or the government offices. What others think doesn't really bother me, as I'm often very engrossed in the book, only watching out for my queue number or the plane. So far I've not met anyone who would disturb me when I'm reading in a plane; if that should happen, I would close my book, wear my sunglasses and sleep (dream or whatever)!
@tyt2222006 (172)
• China
22 Aug 09
I confess I am a picky person. I like to read in an absolute quiet environment. With noise (which includes most of music) I feel distracted and annoyed! Only in a quiet place can I hear my inner voice.
What a weird I am! ^_^
@NikkiLuvsAlex (319)
• United States
22 Aug 09
I used to read alot more in public, but don't too much anymore. I don't even read at home too much lately. If I had the time and the concentration I would. I also used to have hundreds of books. I'm now down to around a hundred or so. I gave lots of them away to local thrift stores because i've been moving alot lately and it's become a pain in the backside to lug around a traveling bookshelf without the bookshelf.
@akuler (3531)
• Malaysia
21 Aug 09
Hi dex,
I always like to read when ride a public transport and have a long distance journey. Usually I read the newspaper. But I have to make sure there are some space and not bothering others. That's why I always prefer to seat beside the window.
Previously when I went back to my hometown (2 1/2 hours by plane), I bring along sudoku. Just fill in all the little box to kill times since there is nothing much to do. I rarely have kid sited at my back though.
Happy mylotting and have a nice day.
@gossipzz (498)
• Canada
21 Aug 09
I use to read when I took the subway. Now I drive. I do still enjoy reading a good book. I like books about drama or just about anything. When I go to my doctor I always read the magazines they have their or just look at the pictures. I know like to do puzzles. I have discovered a new kind of puzzle where you try to match all the number in a grid. I forgot what it is called maybe someone can help me with the name of it. Thanks happy lotting.
@dex1007 (556)
• Malaysia
24 Aug 09
sudoku?
I read mainly for the pleasure of it too. Except when online, i read articles on stuff i need to know, start to learn how to fix my own computer problems, the internet is something really amazing. you can do so much on it. but reading, i prefer to turn of the internet, and just read. thanks for sharing, happy mylotting to you too.
@valaina (41)
• Philippines
21 Aug 09
i always have a book with me whenever i go out. on long vacations or trips, i make sure i prepare for it and think of one good book to bring. recently, i was hooked up to electronic books (ebooks) instead. i would store several titles on my phone and read the ebooks practically anywhere, while in a long queue in a fastfood chain, or waiting for my turn at the dentist LOL! but still, nothing beats clutching a real book at hand and flipping those pages. books or ebooks, i always must have something to read to pass my time when i'm outside. :)
@dex1007 (556)
• Malaysia
24 Aug 09
ebooks are great, they are cheaper than books. and since i mainly read in my room, i suppose its a great option for me, but when travelling i must get myself a few good novels. you are right, real books are just better. its good to hear you read so much and enjoy it. have a nice day.
@bookfan5555 (119)
• United States
22 Aug 09
I do not mind reading books in public. If someone wants to know what I am doing, I usually give them a look and let them know I am reading. Then I go back to what I am doing and ignore them. They eventually give up and leave me alone. I always have to have a book with me, regardless of where I am. It is a part of me. I love to read and you will often find me in private or in public reading a book. There are many people out there that find that weird, but I have been doing it since I was a child. Sometimes I am conscious of what I am reading if I find myself somewhere like a bus stop, but I soon am engrossed in my book and the world goes away.
@dex1007 (556)
• Malaysia
24 Aug 09
I know! I feel the same way. Reading takes me out of my world into the book, i live it vividly. haha. main reason i read, to get out of my own world, at the end of a book, a happy ending, i'm more positive and more confident that i will have a happy ending too. i prefer to do it privately i suppose, cause i might start laughing or shed a tear, in public that can become dramatic. hahah. best respond award goes to you.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
22 Aug 09
I'm sorry you had such a bad trip. Yes...I would read on such a trip or anywhere where I just had to sit. I usually have a good book going on so that is what I'd bring. If I were going on a long trip...I'd start the book before leaving to make sure that it was a book that I did not want to put down. As for the kid kicking behind you...I"d have asked the parents to please stop him....tell them that it hurts your back or something. Kids tend to do those things and the parents don't notice or maybe they don't realize how annoying it is. It is annoying, I know.
@quinnkl (1667)
• United States
24 Aug 09
I am a major reader. I hate it when people read over my shoulder. If that happens I just hand the magazine to them. Or if it is a book I am reading, I turn and look at them square in the eye and say, if you want to read this book I would be happy to give (lend) it to you AFTER I am finished, and turn and go back to reading. That is just so rude to do to people in my opinion. I am happy to share with people, but not just have people read what I am reading uninvited.
@metschica25 (5399)
• United States
21 Aug 09
Hello,
I like to read and when I was in Nyc We stayed in Jersey and the trip to the City was a long one and I did some reading on the train and talking back and forth to my fiance . Also, When by the pool I read or on a lake trip! That is always nice to read with the sound of the shore and the sun on your skin. I sometimes get lost in a book . I mean their are times I like to chat it up and will do it . really just depends.
Happy Lotting!
Happy Lotting! @in4net6rix (112)
• Kenya
22 Aug 09
I really don't care what people think when I read in public. I Find it hard to concentrate as people are talking or moving up and down.I feel you when you talk about children sitting behind you kicking the chair. This is very irritating.
