Can reading be rude?

[kbsmith11]

Is it ever rude to read instead of interacting with others? When and in what setting? In my opinion it is no more rude then being glued to your phone or social media.

Any other opinions?

[Fran]

IMO reading is never rude but readers (like everybody else) are prone to behave rudely on occasion.
I am an avid reader & if I'm alone I will read while eating or watching telly or doing almost anything. But, if I am in company with my OH, other family or friends I certainly would not ignore them & proceed with my reading. IMO that would be the height of rudeness and display very bad manners. I also consider it rude & bad mannered to produce a mobile at table & start texting or facebooking or whatever .. you are clearly saying that the person you are with is less important or less interesting than whatever is going on on facebook or twitter. To my amazement I have seen couples out to dinner where one party takes out a mobile and for the duration of the meal eats while gazing at the screen and totally ignoring their partner - no way would I put up with that!

[Mom2Grey]

Yep, just like yapping on the phone when in the presence of company, is rude.

[kbsmith11]

I completely agree with you guys. My husband thinks that it is rude to read when we are supposed to be spending time together but he is watching tv so I take out my kindle. I don't feel it is rude since we are still together and he is engrossed in the television. Since there is not conversation what is the point of watching a show I care nothing about and would rather be reading!?!

[Tigania]

Exactly kbsmith11! My husband likes to watch TV and movies, which I very rarely do. Instead, I will read while he watches--he even puts headphones on so the noise doesn't disturb me. I would quite often read on my breaks at work while others were talking. Mostly, because I didn't want to listen to, or partake in the gossip...and I found that if my nose was in a book, people generally didn't talk to me.

[gali]

It is rude only when in the presence of others. I never read when I am chatting with friends or dining out. I read when I am alone or when my hub is busy. Anyway, he doesn't mind my reading.

[julianfroment]

I agree that it is no more rude than being glued to your mobile phone.

[Dani226]

I actually think it's much less obnoxious than being glued to your phone

[Ikiri81]

In my opinion, he difference between social media and reading is: reading is a much longer distraction. With social media, it is something that you can tear yourself away or can take a few minutes at a time to do, while in the presence of other people. You can't really do that with reading. How can you read for a minute or two? i wouldn't do it because I can't read for a few minutes at a time and will just stop if I can't continue reading. If i have at least 5 or 10 minutes to read then I will maybe continue where I leave off. Usually I'll just wait until I have more time to devote to reading and instead do something that can fit into the few minutes that i have available.

[lynne_d1]

Interesting question. My 9 yr old would like to read at mealtimes - now I ban that as I think we should talk...

[sweetnsassymom]

Yes, it can be rude to read instead of interacting with others, for example in the lunchroom with co-workers, you could at least be a little sociable at first until you run out of things to say and then you can start reading. But if you are in a doctor's waiting room where you don't know anyone, it is definitely not rude, rather it is more acceptable than just sitting there staring at people. I agree that it is no more rude than being glued to your phone, but at least look up every once in a while and see what you are missing.

Is it ever rude to read instead of interacting with others? When and in what setting? In my opinion it is no more rude then being glued to your phone or social media.

Any other opinions?

[shortyblue]

In my opinion, it is much more rude to be glued to a phone. I cannot stand it when I am talking to a person and they pick up their phone and start texting! I have never had someone pick up a book and start reading in the middle of our conversation.

[Tinamgolla]

Yes if your are having a family gathering. People think I get rude when reading because I get lost in a book and they can't an answer to questions if they ask when I am reading. When I have family time I don't read but like texting, talking on phone, playing video games at a family dinner or out to eat it is rude

[obiebookworm]

Yes. I've seen people take books with them to parties and family gatherings and then find a quiet corner somewhere and read. It is very rude, indeed!

[riyanj]

I completely agree with what others are saying. Reading a book at a table when you're having dinner with someone is just as rude as constantly checking your e-mail and text. Put the book away and enjoy the person sitting in front of you.

That being said, if I sit down at a table by myself and someone joins me after I've started reading, I don't always put the book away. They saw me reading when they sat down and knew that was how I wanted to spend my lunch hour (or whatever time I've found to sneak in a few pages).