Monday, March 16, 2009

Musing Mondays



Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about talking to strangers…


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)

I don't initiate book-talk with strangers very often- I'm just shy I guess! When I see someone reading I might try to see what it is they have but I won't often start a conversation. If I'm on duty at the reference desk it's my job to book-talk with patrons and that's a pleasure; sometimes when I'm at the library as a patron, people will come up and ask me for help (I guess I just radiate librarian vibes or something!). If people initiate a conversation with me I just try to be polite; at my local library branch it's fun to chat with the librarians and my neighbors but I'm pretty introverted so I'm just as likely to hide behind my book!

Musing Mondays is hosted by Rebecca at Just One More Page.

10 comments:

caite said...

People come up to me and ask questions in stores...perhaps I radiate a 'retail clerk' vibe, which I once was. Little old ladies also ask me to reach things on high shelves for them in supermarkets.

I second the introvert thing too...

Anonymous said...

I'm an introvert but I love book talk! I think it's because no one around me reads books.

Jenners said...

I do think there is a certain element of introvertishness about most book lovers ... after all, we tend to want to read than "talk" to real people! It would be great to have a job where that was WHAT your job was! I think perhaps I missed my career path!

Serena said...

I don't initiate book conversations either...I'm a shy gal, but I will lean over to check out what someone is reading.

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

I'm pretty introverted as well, but when I see someone reading a book that I previously enjoyed, I can't resist telling them how great the books was. On the other hand, if I did not like the book I remain silent...LOL

Nise' said...

I must radiate that vibe too, I am always being asked questions.

Anonymous said...

It depends on what people are reading, if they're interested to talk, and most importantly, my mood. :)

Yvonne said...

I'm the same way you are - I don't initiate the conversation.

Schmendro said...

If someone is acatully reading I probably wouldn't say anything. However, if they are holding a book that I really enjoy I might start talking about it. I worked in a bookstore for a long time so I love talking about books to anyone.

Dawn @ sheIsTooFondOfBooks said...

I always try to read the titles of books I see people reading; I'm sure that some of them have wondered why I'm staring at them (note to self: sometimes it's better to just ask!)

I'm the type who offers to take pictures of a couple together (you know, when she's posing for him, instead of a pic of the two of them together); and I laughed at Caite's comment, since I often offer to get things down from higher shelves when I see people whipping a box of Corn Flakes at the upper boxes, hoping a box of All Bran will fall down! :)

Dawn
She is Too Fond of Books