March's Law

[kitanzi]

Why is it that the sight of someone quietly sitting and reading in a public space INVARIABLY prompts anyone and EVERYONE walking in to start a conversation with them?

I suppose it could be a useful phenomenon if I was actually trying to find a way to strike up conversations, but it was my all too short lunch hour and I was reeeeading..... (/whine)

Comments

[autographedcat.livejournal.com]

They've likely never seen such a thing. Things you've never seen before are dangerous. They probably think they're trying to save your life from that....that.....thing....by giving you the opportunity to hear their opinion on the latest episode of Survivor: Bedford Stuyvesant or America's Next Top Hitman or whatever the new reality shows are, I haven't seen a TV guide....but I digress.

You should borrow a page from cahdla, and read things that will make people think twice before casually engaging you in conversation. :)

[madfilkentist]

It's part of the same law of nature that makes cats jump on the lap of the most allergic person.

[joecoustic.livejournal.com]

I have noticed that many people tend to think a reader is lonely and wouldn't be reading if they only had someone to eat/talk with. I assume these are folks who don't understand reading for pleasure....

[annonynous.livejournal.com]

Presuming the interloper isn't on the make, maybe you could start wearing that t'shirt I've seen that says "I'm READING! Go to hell!", or some such. Or maybe a large button that says "I'm PM and I'm armed!". :)

Ann O.