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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think you shouldn't constantly TALK to someone who is reading a book?

59 replies

AwfulMaureen · 15/04/2014 23:13

Staying at my Mum's for the past week prior to moving into new place. We talk all day long as she only works in the morning for a couple of hours...we're together a lot.

in the evening, I sometimes try to read while she watches her tv shows...she keeps bloody talking to me intermittently!

OP posts:
OldLadyKnowsSomething · 15/04/2014 23:18

DH does this to me. He's watching telly, and I'm engrossed in a book. Then the ad break comes on... Or something "spectacular" happens in a sporting event (cries of "Come on ref! That was offside!") and I'm supposed to take an interest. Drives me nuts. I may sometimes make a snidey comment.

But for me, it's been 30 years. You, dear op, can simply grit your teeth and count the days. :)

(He's talking to me now, even though he can see I'm typing... )

thebodydoestricks · 15/04/2014 23:21

Very annoying when I am reading and dh does this to me but he annoys me when he reads and I'm not as I feel it's excluding me and rude!

I know mad.but can see both sides.

SanityClause · 15/04/2014 23:21

What? Not even to ask them what the book is about? Or why they're laughing, when that will mean they have to explain loads of stuff to you, and then you still won't get it?

I'd better tell DH.

Original poster
AwfulMaureen · 15/04/2014 23:22

I can't stand it! Surely it's rude!? I could take myself off to another room I suppose but that seems rude too....why can't we both sit in the sitting room? Why must she always interrupt me!

OP posts:
SanityClause · 15/04/2014 23:24

My MIL believes that reading a book in the presence of other people is rude.

This doesn't apply to newspaper or magazines, though, only books.

MidniteScribbler · 15/04/2014 23:25

Justifiable homicide.

RevoltingPeasant · 15/04/2014 23:25

YANBU

YANBU

YANBU

YANBU

YANBU

Also......

YANBU!!!

RevoltingPeasant · 15/04/2014 23:26

Sanity what does she do in libraries? Confused

Original poster
AwfulMaureen · 15/04/2014 23:28

Sanity lol! Was she always taking umbrage when she was in school?

OP posts:
Percephone · 15/04/2014 23:29

Hmm I think that sitting there engrossed in a book / tablet / headphones in the presence of another person when it's just the two of you is kind of rude too. You might as well not be there.

Minshu · 15/04/2014 23:29

My Gran used to hand me a paper / magazine and tell me to read a particular article, then start talking to me about that article or something totally unrelated within 3 seconds. Drove me nuts.

DP asks me what something is about - could be book, article or something on TV - the very moment I pick it up or turn the TV on, before I get a chance to read the title!! I now do it to him, too :)

Original poster
AwfulMaureen · 15/04/2014 23:31

Percephone How on earth are people meant to relax in the presence of their family then?

I have to be here...I'm living here! Saying I might as well not be there is silly...I'm not on standby for her comments about biscuits, the Queen, the government and the woman over the road who never mows!

OP posts:
CorusKate · 15/04/2014 23:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
AwfulMaureen · 15/04/2014 23:32

Minshu I used to work in a theatre...loads of LOOOONG periods of sitting about involved. I sometimes read a book and I used to get unreasonably annoyed by people saying "What are you reading?"

"Well I WAS reading X but I'm not now! You just interrupted me!"

OP posts:
Original poster
AwfulMaureen · 15/04/2014 23:34

Corus Yes...reading in company COULD be rude in certain situations...out for dinner! At a BBQ with the neighbours...having a smear done...not sitting in the sitting room of the house you're staying in for two weeks with your own Mum!

OP posts:
OldLadyKnowsSomething · 15/04/2014 23:35

But Percephone, if dh is engrossed in a tv programme in which I have no interest, am I supposed to sit there doing nothing, while waiting for him to acknowledge my existence? Fuck that for 30 sodding years. Grr.

Original poster
AwfulMaureen · 15/04/2014 23:36

Exactly OldLady!

OP posts:
CorusKate · 15/04/2014 23:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheLadyRadishes · 15/04/2014 23:37

My mum does this. It doesn't matter what you're reading or indeed if you are trying to watch telly, she just doesn't like the attention not being on her so she will try to start a conversation about something unrelated, try to make you look at something she's reading (grrr!) or even decide to stalk around you and take unwanted photos of you. The kids hate it! And I think if you are staying over at someone's house, so you are there for a while not just a couple of hours - or obviously if you live with them - there has to be some let-up. You can't talk non-stop and if someone wants to read or watch a programme they should be allowed to.

Nennypops · 15/04/2014 23:38

Hmm I think that sitting there engrossed in a book / tablet / headphones in the presence of another person when it's just the two of you is kind of rude too

Goodness, I just don't see how that could work. Imagine if you're in a long term relationship - are you seriously going to spend every moment when in the other person's company making sprightly conversation? I think one of the most companionable things you can do is to sit quietly and cosily with your other half while both of you get on with whatever you like doing, whether it's reading, listening to music, doing something creative, or whatever.

thebodydoestricks · 15/04/2014 23:39

Lol at reading during a smear would it be 50 shades?

Original poster
AwfulMaureen · 15/04/2014 23:48

Body no it would be

To think you shouldn't constantly TALK to someone who is reading a book?
OP posts:
Percephone · 16/04/2014 00:13

I think it depends on the situation. If the other person is also engrossed in something then it's fine. Your mum is obviously not engrossed in the TV if she wants to chat.

DrizzlyTuesday · 16/04/2014 00:17

It's really annoying when people try to talk when you're reading. DP does it all the time and then gets cross when I don't reply!

ElseaStars · 16/04/2014 00:27

YANBU my husband does this and I end up reading the same sentence about 6 times. I don't care about the footie man, just let me read!