When you see text, do you want to read it?
By Fleur
@Fleura (34927)
United Kingdom
July 31, 2022 4:51pm CST
Whenever you see some words, do you find yourself wanting to read them?
I simply cannot resist, which can be very annoying. If there’s a cereal box or other packet on the table, I simply have to read the words even if I have read them many times before. Same for notices on the wall in a meeting room, waiting room or similar. It’s really irritating but I can’t stop myself from doing it!
So of course it is the same when I see writing on a person. It can be awkward when someone is wearing a T-shirt with a message printed across the front, especially when the person is a woman and the text is small...
But even worse is a tattoo of writing.
So if someone has a message inked on their body and they have that part on show, is that an invitation to read the message, like a poster or other text in any other public place, or should it still be considered private?
All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2022.
11 people like this
12 responses
@DaddyEvil (174208)
• United States
1 Aug 22
If it's on display, then yes, the person wants others to read the message.
I have a bunch of tee shirts that get some odd looks and giggles after people stop me to read them... I just grin at them and walk away. (My favorite shirt says "I love every bone in your body... especially mine." 
)
)2 people like this
That's a good one. I wonder if very many people understand it? 
@Fleura (34927)
• United Kingdom
1 Aug 22
@DaddyEvil Actually it should read 'There are 10 kinds of people in the world...' shouldn't it, that makes more sense. I don't even know if 10 uses the name 'ten' in binary, probably not.
And I don't think many people understand it, it's a bit geeky isn't it?
1 person likes this
@ShyBear88 (59342)
• Sterling, Virginia
1 Aug 22
When I see words I don’t just read them unless it interest me. Subcontinent does a lot of reading without you knowing it and pick up things quicker then you think they do so if it draws me know then yes I’ll read.
As for tattoos in people I only read them when I see them and ask about what does it say or mean.
My husband has a song on his back and I have my kids names on my arm doesn’t mean people when they see them read it they some times go oh cool you have a tattoo or what did you get there.
1 person likes this
@ShyBear88 (59342)
• Sterling, Virginia
1 Aug 22
@Fleura I’ve never had a stranger ask me unless it’s a group setting and we are netting new people. Yes they are still stranger but they would be more like “oh, cool you have a tattoo what is it off?” Then I’d tell them the one in my wrist is my kids name and the one on my chest is baby feet with the word love because We have an angle baby.
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@Fleura (34927)
• United Kingdom
1 Aug 22
@ShyBear88 Yes that's a bit different to just being stopped in the street isn't it 
@RasmaSandra (97912)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
31 Jul 22
It all depends on the situation, I rarely go out now so everything I read is online. I am a curious person so I find many different interesting things to read online,
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (97912)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
2 Aug 22
@Fleura hey, I got a laugh for you, Being born and raised in NYC, most of my life everywhere I went I would see doors that said push and pull to get in an out of stores. Then in 1994 I moved with my mom to Latvia and the first time I entered a store and then was going to leave the store I was face with push and pull in Latvian, Now I am also fluent in Latvian but for a few moments there I stood rooted to the spot trying to remember which was push and which was pull
1 person likes this
@Fleura (34927)
• United Kingdom
2 Aug 22
@RasmaSandra I can understand that, plenty of people get confused, signs or no signs!
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@Fleura (34927)
• United Kingdom
1 Aug 22
It's not so much that I look for things to read, but if I am waiting somewhere, for example, and there is a sign saying 'in case of emergency, push to open door' or whatever, I simply can't stop myself reading the words every single time my gaze strays in that direction, even though I obviously know what it says having read it already. It's very annoying. And the same goes for any words my eyes fall on.
1 person likes this
@xFiacre (14782)
• Ireland
31 Jul 22
@fleura I am compelled to read whatever is written - surely it was written to be read. I hate it when waitresses etc have a name badge pinned to their bosom because it’s difficult to read when they jiggle and I end up staring at their chests and feel like a pervert.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (51811)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
1 Aug 22
I would think so, otherwise the person would have it covered up. What does that woman have on her spine? (It's too blurry for me to read.)
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (84701)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
31 Jul 22
I think it's normal and only natural. When you see something printed, it's meant to be read. If I could I probably would do the same. As it is. If I see a sign, I'll ask my husband to read it for me. Especially in a public place. It could be important information after all.
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