Does reading a book make you look unapproachable?

[awesomespoken]

Do you think people avoid conversation with you when you are reading? Are you less inclined to talk when you're in a good book? Do you refrain from addressing someone when they are reading a book or kindle?

Yes

No

[Quintessence]

Do people avoid conversation with me when I'm reading? Nope. I've been approached while reading a book.

Am I less inclined to talk when I'm reading? Nope. I'm a bookworm. When I'm reading, I'm in my element, which means I'm comfortable, which means I'm less likely to feel anxious when approached by strangers. In fact, out of all the ways to be approached, getting asked about a book I'm reading is one of my most preferable, because A) it gives us something to talk about from the get-go, rather than straining to think of topics, B) it's a better substitute for small-talk, C) it's something I'm interested in and I can therefore contribute more to the conversation, D) it allows the conversation to develop into something deeper or branch into something else--e. g., going from the book I'm reading to other similar books to literature in general to philosophy, etc.

Do I refrain from talking to someone when they are reading? That depends on what they're reading. If it's Fifty Shades of Grey or Gossip Girl, I probably won't approach them. If it's one of the classics or something from an author I'm familiar with, I'm more likely to strike up a conversation.

[Chantel77]

Same, I'm so in my element. Reading a book almost looks like I'm having a conversation with someone with all my various facial expressions 😂😂

[btbc92]

I doubt it. I only say that because it really depends on how much 'guts' people really have. I just get really aggravated with such people who don't approach me when it's important. Other than that, if it helps prevent people from asking me out, I would bring a book more often. But yes, many things prevent people from wanting to approach you. Always making excuses why they can't. Other than that, if I need or want something, I go speak to them and politely ask them if they are busy. If yes, I make it quick or leave. If no, I get straight to the point. Even if I don't feel like talking, I am always polite to stop what I am doing to give that person my undivided attention.

[awesomespoken]

How many strangers do you normally approach?

[btbc92]

I don't approach strangers unless I have to. Other than that, I approach a lot of people. Introduce myself and explain the reason why I am talking to them. If I don't have a reason to approach then I don't. I would be wasting their time.

[awesomespoken]

What reason do you have to approach the ones that you do?

[btbc92]

For business purposes only. Or when others have a request and ask me to ask somebody a question. Unless I want to be friends or just talk. If I sense they're friendly.

[awesomespoken]

Haha so definitely not "for business purposes only." What makes you want to be somebody's friend?

[btbc92]

I sense things about them that I can see good qualities that I would like to be around with. But that is only if I sense they are good people to be around. I often observe their behavior first before deciding if they are good for me. Other than that, I don't usually bother people. I like to be to myself and I can handle that. It's usually other people who want's or needs to talk to me. I'm the type that just likes to mind my own business.

[awesomespoken]

I wonder what others think of me

[btbc92]

Probably a lot of things. But they will less likely to tell you that to your face. They will either keep it to themselves or tell another person, which will come off as gossip.

[Chantel77]

I hope not caz that's what i do a lot while out on public transportation. I thought me laughing at what I'm reading is approachable since I make different facial expressions.

When I see a good looking guy reading I see it as my ice breaker to say "What book are you reading?". Even if they go back into intensely reading, I can say "thanks, I'll have to check it out. You look so into it so I had to ask, sorry if I disturbed/bothered you.

Sadly I hardly ever see any guys reading a book while I'm out on the train or bus. One guy was but it was crowded so I chickened out but I did enjoy staring at him. I never saw him again but gosh he was just my type!!

[awesomespoken]

You should come interrupt me while I'm reading then

[Chantel77]

I just might 😄

[awesomespoken]

What book should I read to make you want to approach me.

[Chantel77]

Any you actually enjoy reading aka nothing you find boring

[awesomespoken]

I find lots of things not boring. But then again, I mainly find non fiction to be not boring

[Solanaceae]

I'm always reading. One time my best friend told me when she first met me, she was about to go up to me and introduce herself, but then I was reading, and I looked 'intimidating', so she left me alone. Apparently she sat next to me one time and I didn't even know it haha <3 I hear I'm very intimidating to approach in general, and I guess more so when I'm reading (99% of the time).

[NearlyNapping]

I go out to eat a lot by myself and I almost always have a book with me. It's pretty obvious that many servers avoid saying anything when I'm reading. I'd guess about half do that.

I wish they wouldn't do that though. I'm just fine if they interrupt to ask if I need anything, or to just chat. If I wanted to be isolated and not talk, I wouldn't be out in a public place with dozens of people all around me.

In the other direction, if I had something to say to someone who was reading, I'd say it. I just can't imagine that bothering anyone.

[Bas96]

I mostly travel to school by train, an there are a lot of people who read books on the train. (mostly students of my age) It looks like they don't want to talk, but mostly they just want to hide themselves, and travel to fictional worlds instead of staring at people constantly. I mostly put some music on, and that is mostly considered a way of showing that you don't want to talk. It's a bit sad that's the same way with reading a real book.

[that-panda]

Reading a book can actually be a good opener for people to talk, weather they want to know what your reading, if they read the same book and want to tell you about their experience and opinion with the book, or a great time to drop a corny pick up line 👍

[awesomespoken]

Haha all that sounds great, what kind of corny pickup line?

[that-panda]

"sup babe wanna take a look at my hardcover" 😂

[awesomespoken]

Haha that works on you?

[that-panda]

Mmm I don't know I've never had one used on me lol but I'm just saying if a man has the courage to drop a cheesy pick up line on me and is 100% serious about it then I'd at least have to buy him a drink for his hilarious and probably unforgettably embarrassing effort lol

[awesomespoken]

So it's a pity party for him?

[ciitruskiwi]

I'd talk to someone if they talk to me while reading but secretly I'd be wishing for them to stop so I can get back to reading. I'm just not a rude person to say "excuse me can't you see that I'm reading?"

The most I'd want to talk to people while they're reading is to ask them how the book is but I don't want to bother them.

[UncleRayRay]

You are still technically approachable, however I think most people would see that it is an imposition on somebody to interrupt them while they are reading. Therefore, I do not suggest reading a book in public as a means to meet new people or have new people approach you

[BlackViking357]

This goes along with the question like "Does playing with your phone make you look unapproachable?" Because you know there are people that will use their phones as shields so they do not have to talk to anyone. Same goes for books, newspapers, and etc. But, can it make you approachable? Of course. However, the person that sees you fondling with an object most likely would consider you as busy. That can be changed if you greet them while you are doing something or they greet you. It depends.

[oddwaffle]

Yes. I don't want to be interrupted when:

Bad Guy: Muwahaha. You think you have won huh? A mere assassin can kill a king but he can never disrupt the King's plan!!! I still have an Ace in the Hole!

Good Guy: No! It can't be!

Bad Guy: muwahaha! Tak...

Random girl: Hi! Would you [insert attempt at conversation here].

[zazuun]

Yeah
If he is reading that means he is busy and I would not interrupt unless I need help or something

When I read , I don't like being interrupted either

[Aalila]

Yes to be honest if I'm into a really damn good book i don't want to be approached i get easily distracted and lose track of where I was and end up frustrated trying to find where I left off

[mystintri]

I've had more dynamic conversations with people who were reading than not reading.

If it's about a topic that I am passionate about, they love to talk about it, I love to hear about it, and in turn - ask them stimulating questions.

It's a quality over quantity deal.

Most people wouldn't want to disturb, can think you're shy, boring, too smart, etc.

[Ashley_Claire]

Who interrupts book readers? All of you are monsters! 😂

[Ambassador_from_Mars]

Any activity which you do with great concentration will give the signal of you being busy doing some stuff, probably more important than whatever the the approaching person has in mind.

So reading a book can make you unapproachable, depending on how you read it. #BodyLanguage

[Maddiisnotintresting]

if I'm reading and you interrupt me there is a negative twelve chance that you will be getting anything other than me telling you to go away.

[azzntittiz]

I learned from my last relationship that if you see someone reading a book, don't approach them, they will tell you all about it.

[ryslostthought]

Any respectable person would leave you to your book, save for needed conversation ("hey there's a fire!") or to ask due to interest ("I've heard/curious of ____, what do you think of it?")

[Jinxx2196]

personally i made a few friends by coming up to me and asking what i was reading, is it any good, etc. and I've approached a lot of people while reading because they seem intriguing.

[awesomespoken]

Where do you tend to meet such people?

[jammy85]

I wouldn't say unapproachable. Being a reader myself, I wouldn't want to disturb you. I've spoken to people in the past when their reading or I've been reading, it's a good conversation starter

[Lavinnykins]

Being someone who reads books myself, I'd be quite happy for someone to approach me... and likewise, I'd approach someone reading a book, even more so if the topic of conversation was about said book.

[Barrabus_the_Free]

I agree. It's a good way to strike up a conversation. Adds a little variety instead of always just going with "U want sum fuck?" all the time.

[RJGraveyTrain]

I think it does. I don't like being interrupted when I'm reading, so I'd never do so to someone else.

[JenSCDC]

No, if anything it's a great conversation starter. I actually enjoy it when people interrupt me when I'm reading to ask me about the book!

[awesomespoken]

Do you consider join a book club?

[JenSCDC]

Never thought about it.

[awesomespoken]

Me either I just think it would be fun

[Giacomanzo]

Really? I find it annoying when someone stops me from doing whatever I'm doing

[BaileyisDarcy]

It's when people are on their phones that they're unapproachable.

[EequalzMCsquared]

Maybe not so much "unapproachable" as it would be someone I wouldn't want to disturb, because I understand how you can get lost in a good book.