Musing Mondays: Talking To Strangers
by Jenners • 03/16/2009 • Book Talk • 27 Comments
Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about talking to strangers. To read more Musing Mondays on this topic, visit Rebecca’s blog Just One More Page.
We were all warned as children to ‘never talk to strangers’, but how do you feel about book-talk with random people? When you see people reading, do you ask what it is? Do you talk to people in the book store or the library? Why or why not? What do you do if people talk to you? (question courtesy of Dena)
If a book is one I’ve read or one I’m interested in, I won’t hesitate to strike up a conversation — assuming the setting is appropriate and the person appears to be “safe” (e.g., I might not strike up a conversation with a blood-spattered, mad-eyed person holding a copy of American Psycho). I recently started a conversation with a fellow mom at my son’s karate class when I saw her reading Jon Krakauer’s Into the Wild, which I loved. We had a lovely conversation about the book and then talked about more general things. We had both sat in karate class before but never spoke; it took her reading that book to get me to open up and talk to her.
I do confess that I will not strike up a conversation if the book is a genre or author I don’t really like. For example, I would probably not bother talking to someone who was reading a Danielle Steele novel. (No offense meant to Danielle Steele readers, but we probably don’t have the same taste in books.)
Before I got my Kindle, I saw a gentleman sitting in first-class on a plane reading one and I asked him about it. It was only a few seconds but my interest in the Kindle overrode any embarrassment I may have had. In fact, I had to stop myself from lingering there and asking to hold it and try it!
I don’t usually bother people in libraries, but I will strike up a conversation in a book store if I’m browsing in the same section as someone else.
I don’t mind if people ask me about a book I am reading — in fact, I would welcome it. My feeling is if you asked me about what I’m reading, you are probably interested in it too!
Given what’s been going on in my life lately just reading about the first book made me uncomfortable!
Yes … I could see that this would be the case. I’m hoping you get some answers soon.
I have been asked by strangers about the book I have been reading and I have asked strangers, too, about the same subject. It’s a wonderful experience if one is careful and does not provide too much personal information. Many thanks for such a lovely post.
Greetings from London.
I sometimes get asked about my Sony reader, I don’t mind that since I love talking about it.. BTW Sony does not give me commission on advertising their product LOL! I just love it! plus the privacy of reading ANYTHING and no one’s the wiser! great for those hot romances!
you sound very friendly!
I’m not good at starting the conversation, but I do enjoy chatting about books. I think I would start up the conversation if I saw someone with a Kindle. I really want to see one in action.
I’d like a look at the kindle too
Thanks for stopping by
I have yet to see someone using a kindle, but rest assured the minute I do, I’ll be talking to them about it. But normally I don’t strike up conversations with random people. My post is up now.
here
I guess I would avoid the blood-spattered, mad-eyed person too, but everyone else I will talk to!
I do hope the person wasn’t reading Danielle Steel on the Kindle!
I don’t think I’m shy but …
Hi!
I am with you, I wouldn’t ask about a Danielle Steel book. But is someone asks me questions I will tell them my opinion. Have a great day!!
Sherrie
I’m not one to just strike up a conversation with a random person. I haven’t seen a Kindle in real life, yet, but am dying to own one.
I do tend to talk to people in bookstores and I have never been bothered if someone asks me about what I am reading
See, my instict would tell me that the blood-splattered, mad-eyed person would be the one reading Danielle Steel hidden inside a copy of American Psycho. But then again, since I don’t talk to people, I’ll never know…
I also wanted to touch a Kindle (that sounds so wrong) at the airport a few weeks ago, but refrained from doing so as I didn’t think the guy would appreciate some random peson asking if they could touch it.
Thanks for stopping by. I enjoyed the humor in Catch-22 too but for some reason just could not finish the book. I had no desire to know what happened to Yassarian. At this point in my life, I figure if I can’t enjoy a book, no point finishing!
I haven’t looked into the Kindle yet, but I hear good things about it. I so behind on technology, I don’t even have an IPOD yet!
Yeah, I stay away from Danielle Steele myself, I could never get into those books nor talk with anyone about them,lol.
Gotta stay away from those shady people. Danielle Steele is also not for me.
LOL at having to walk away so you don’t ask to hold and try the guy’s Kindle! I’d be the same way — I’m currently fascinated with those new book-machines, and would LOVE to get myself one! But no such luck for me, currently…perhaps some day! LOL.
I love to talk about books. I found this a fascinating post as I am currently working with the people at I Just Finished.com on a book for authors who have trouble talking about their books once they are written. A conversation of books is the article if you want to go to Ijustfinished.com site.
See! another reason to hate the Kindle. You can’t glance at the cover and see what the other person is reading! damn Kindle…..
Ha! you crack me up! I laughed all day about the potential mad-eyed American Psycho reader and the innocent Steele reader. I can see you’ve put a lot of thought into this and I’m going to take a lesson from you… think I could afford to be a little more discerning in my choice of strangers to whom I chat..
I’m not very shy when it comes to talking about books — but, yes, I do kind of assess the situation and the person before I approach him or her.
The only time I really talk about books is at a bookstore. Although, if someone were to approach me about a book I was reading – regardless of where we were – I’d be happy to talk about it.
I’ve got to say, despite how much the imate made me laugh, I’m kinda glad you drew the line at the blood spattered psycho. I don’t imagine him being all that great at small talk.
Since I would never be found in the romance section, I can escape the terror of Danielle Steele!
Funny, the same thing happened with me and the Kindle. I am usually too shy to make conversation with strangers but I couldn’t resist when I saw a woman with a Kindle.