It humors me when a person is so bored, they'll interrupt another by asking the obvious in the hope that it will spark a conversation.
For example, if I'm working on something, and a person asks me, "Are you working?," I think to myself, "No. I'm just pretending to type on the computer to avoid conversations like this one."
When I'm writing and a person asks, "Are you writing something?," I want to say, "No, I'm just trying to appear busy by scribbling words on a page."
I don't know anybody who likes to be interrupted while they're working, especially if they're in a work-like zone. However, it's doubly infuriating if the interruption isn't a necessary one and has the sole purpose of attempting to relieve the interrupter of his or her boredom.
It's nice for others to showcase interest in what one is doing, but not while we're actually doing it. At dinner or a coffee shop, it would be welcomed for another to ask me, "So, are you working on any new books?" But while I'm actually writing or typing, that is not the time to be asking such questions - first off, because it's rude, and secondly, because it sounds kind of ridiculous.
Never am I tempted to ask a person driving a car I'm riding in, "Are you driving right now?" or calling someone at four in the morning and leaving a message which just says, "Are you sleeping?"
Being a writer, I understand boredom all too well, but know it's probably not the most courteous thing when suffering writer's block for me to be calling random businesses and simply asking the employees, "So, whatcha doing? Working?"
Then again, if I called Congresspeople in Washington and asked that very question, about 97% of the time I'd likely receive a "no comment" in response.
For example, if I'm working on something, and a person asks me, "Are you working?," I think to myself, "No. I'm just pretending to type on the computer to avoid conversations like this one."
When I'm writing and a person asks, "Are you writing something?," I want to say, "No, I'm just trying to appear busy by scribbling words on a page."
I don't know anybody who likes to be interrupted while they're working, especially if they're in a work-like zone. However, it's doubly infuriating if the interruption isn't a necessary one and has the sole purpose of attempting to relieve the interrupter of his or her boredom.
It's nice for others to showcase interest in what one is doing, but not while we're actually doing it. At dinner or a coffee shop, it would be welcomed for another to ask me, "So, are you working on any new books?" But while I'm actually writing or typing, that is not the time to be asking such questions - first off, because it's rude, and secondly, because it sounds kind of ridiculous.
Never am I tempted to ask a person driving a car I'm riding in, "Are you driving right now?" or calling someone at four in the morning and leaving a message which just says, "Are you sleeping?"
Being a writer, I understand boredom all too well, but know it's probably not the most courteous thing when suffering writer's block for me to be calling random businesses and simply asking the employees, "So, whatcha doing? Working?"
Then again, if I called Congresspeople in Washington and asked that very question, about 97% of the time I'd likely receive a "no comment" in response.
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