I keep seeing these posts about how reading in parks, coffee shops, or now even on public transport is somehow peacocking and only an act of showing off.
Believe it or not this is what almost everybody did on public transport up until around 2005. Most busses and rail stations had free newspapers, or ones to buy, lots of people travelled with books.
I never once saw someone with a book and thought they must only be reading to flex that they’re literate.
Is it becoming only acceptable to read at home alone with the curtains drawn incase anyone sees you ‘showing off’.
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“I keep seeing these posts about how reading in parks, coffee shops, or now even on public transport is somehow peacocking and only an act of showing off.”
lmao i dont understand how someone could see someone peacefully reading on their own and go “wow they must be doing it to impress others like me” thats wild to me lmao
You think you’re better than me!?
May my downvote smite thee like a mighty bolt cast by Zeus above.
Some things are viewed as peacocking to those who are not capable of doing them.
Teleprompters entered the chat
This generation is so far gone that they think blasting TikTok in a coffee shop is normal, but reading a book is not. Git sane.
oh what? I have been reading on public spaces for years, best place to try and get a couple of chapter ticked off, never imagined anyone would have seen it as performative
My wife is always reading like whenever she’s not working she’s reading. It is not performative. Leave the readers alone.
Enjoying a book. Fucking showoffs!
i think the people saying that are the ones who are barely literate and run all their comments through chatGPT.
I never heard of reading as “peacocking”. If anything I’m freakin annoyed when someone interrupts my reading to ask what I’m reading l.
I enjoy reading when I can. Friends got me a Kindle and it’s a game changer.
I don’t live my life by others standards.
>I keep seeing these posts about how reading in parks, coffee shops, or now even on public transport is somehow peacocking and only an act of showing off.
Where?
Maybe they meant aloud.
WHERE are you seeing these posts about how reading in parks, coffee shops, or on public transport is peacocking and an act of showing off? Who said that? Cite your many sources, OP.
Literally, this is the first I’ve heard such a ridiculous claim. So the only one making it appears to be you, OP.
the people who think this must be so deeply insecure lol. I used to have a friend who would get mad at me for using “big” words in conversation. I am an english major and I read a lot, but it wouldn’t even be really big words. it would be like if I said “assemble” instead of “put together” or something like that. she would tell me to just talk normally and stop showing off. I realized eventually that I had done nothing wrong, especially as those words were a part of my natural vocabulary, and I had no intention of showing off, but that SHE felt bad about her vocabulary. this is the same thing. you can’t shame people for things they aren’t ashamed of. people see someone reading in public, feel ashamed that they don’t read, or are looking at their phones, and then place the blame for that feeling of shame on the show-off who dares to read in public
I think it’s interesting, because I could read a book on my phone and take in the exact same information, but literally nobody would care. It’s like the act of holding one of them has become “taboo” in a way
I have never even heard of that as a concept lmfao
I read in public all the time and have literally never had anyone think I was showing off. A couple of times people have engaged with me about what I’m reading and we’ve had a chat, and once even exchanged numbers.
I see people reading in public ALL the time.
I really don’t think this “issue” is real.
This is because most of the people thinking it is a flex can’t pay attention to something long enough to do that.
I didn’t know this was an unpopular opinion
This is a new one for me, those who think its peacocking are just weird as hell, i dont think your opinion is unpopular though, most people will think nothing at all if they see someone read in public, its gonna me a small group who have this peacocking take
Im gonna continue reading wherever I want, I just do it digitally now cuz its more convenient
I was in rehab for a bit, and I read a lot. Everyone joked about me always having a book with me.
Eventually I revealed my secret, I don’t even know how to read. The book was just to save my seat.
I read in public all the time. I especially do it at work.
I’m ADHD af and I can easily tune out distant background chatter for my own interior reading voice
When I read at home I get distracted easily “man I should cook” “I should wash my clothes, will only take 2 mins to start the machine”
I can CRUSH a book while at the airport or on an airplane. So I’m with you OP. I don’t read in public to flex lol
This feels like an xkcd 2071 moment because I’ve never seen these posts
Sometimes these posts make me realize how drastically different all our algorithms are. I have never in my life seen a post about performative reading but if they exist it is hands down the dumbest thing imaginable to think about seeing someone reading lol.
Also, there’s absolutely no way this is an unpopular opinion.
Hotter but related take: Reading shouldn’t be impressive. It should just be something people do. The fact that it isn’t anymore is scary to me
I once saw a dude walking along the lake front and reading a business book. Was probably the only time I had the thought that someone was being performative
You can’t be the main character, I’m the main character!
But no yeah it’s been a long fucking time since I gave a shit what anyone else thought. Heaven forbid someone be comfortable being alone in public.
I used to take the train to work every day. I’d bring a book with me every single day. Loved reading on my lunch break in the park, too. Was great to get out of the office.
We have fallen so far as a society
Imagine being so self absorbed and obsessed with how you’re seen that you assume everything strangers do is to impress you
This should tell you something about the people making those posts.
It boils down to the fact that they see people reading in public as a threat to their own self esteem.
Going to the bar after work to read my novel is a top tier activity
I have a few hundred books on my phone, I read everywhere
I didn’t even know people assumed it was D: I did it to hide or escape while still in public. I could use my phone to read, but it hurts my eyes and drains the battery. Not to mention the fucking heat melting my screen sometimes.
I always carry at least one book with me for this purpose. If I’m by myself at a restaurant or a park or the beach, it seems like an obvious thing to have some form of entertainment.
The idea of reading as a performative act is wild to me. There’s probably some people who do it, but none that I know personally nor would I want to know them. Being able to read isn’t a flex bruh.
Personally that’s the only way I can entertain myself on the bus because I use a flip phone that cannot connect to the internet. But for the most part I read on a shitty e-ink tablet. Do I need to bring a paperback to impress people? How does this work?
I remember reading on the bus on the way home from school in like 2002, and the two girls in the seat behind me kept tapping me on the shoulder to ask me if I liked to read and, my personal favorite, “Do you read good?” I got interrogated for reading for fun in public semi-regularly.
When I got older, I starting reading more stuff on my phone (high school was this sweet spot where very few people had phones, texting and calling costed money, but for whatever reason, our plan had unlimited data before they started charging more for data packages, so I would just read fanfic on my flip phone’s slow af browser). It switched from “do you read good” to “what’s so interesting on your phone”, to which I generally replied, “porn”.
Weirdly, I got fewer questions after that.
… i’ve literally never heard of anyone saying that reading in public is performative.
I was “that person who reads” when I was in the military. People recognized me as the weirdo who brought a book to wait in the chow line.
This and anyone who points out others for using wizardry like ChatGBT (I think that’s how it is spelled), when in reality, they are just good at writing.
Or
The people that get upset for others using “big words”. It’s called having an expanded vocabulary but whateva.
This is the first time I’ve ever heard of this
I don’t see how anyone can read in public, I need peace and quiet to successfully read
I will say it’s a public act when they’re reading at a concert. It’s happened a couple of times at some metal shows I went to. The front was blocked by people reading.
It screams “I read a lot of fanfiction” and believes this is how they will attract the lead singer
It’s because of the introduction of technology, podcasts and audiobooks. People who cant read well for some reason and rely on their stories being read to them like they’re getting tucked into bed get butthurt that we can actually read for ourselves and think we’re “showing off” because they can’t admit that they will never have the patience to pick up an actual novel as long as they have the ability to press a play button. (Sorry if I’m coming off as cruel, I’ve had way to many people bully me for reading in public and they usually struggle to actually read in some kind of way so I might have some frustrations built up. 😅)
Shaming people for reading is tremendously dumb.
Literally who is saying this?
I feel like this ties into somewhat with how there’s a shift in how different classes are perceived lately with technology. It used to be considered weird to buy your baby the latest gadget such as an iPhone. Tablet etc. Then it started becoming mainstream, and now it’s started becoming a class signifier in a different way and you pretty much see kids from more well off families without devices, while kids from low-middle class have iPads from birth
I think something similar is happening with adults. Nowadays scrolling on your phone all day in public is seen as mainstream. So I think if people see someone in public not on their phone, or even reading a book people think that person is trying to show how they’re better off for not looking at their phone.
It honestly is really weird, I remember growing up in the early 2000’s I would not have thought twice about bringing a book somewhere, but now I feel like I draw too much attention to myself if I’m holding a book
I read books in public….on my phone!
I read books on my phone, so I look like I’m doomscrolling like a good red blooded American, actually.
I mean good for them. I can’t read unless it’s quiet and I know there will be no disturbances.
Well, personally I prefer to read at home in peace but I don’t find that someone who reads in a public place loses it.
I just wonder how he manages to be in there with all the noise.
I read because I want to not to “perform.” Sometimes I just like a change of scenery and don’t always want to be at home.
I went to a Christian college…they had to have a speech during chapel to stop reading Bible in public because it was becoming a ridiculous performance …i once saw a guy leaning against the entrance gate post…just reading his Bible (or holding it) & looking up ever so casually when someone walked by or a car drove by (pretty busy road)…this was after the stop showing off by reading your Bible in public.
I also saw a woman walking down the cement median on the overpass reading something…
so reading can be a performance but watchers usually can tell…and think you’re ridiculous.
And I say this as someone whose primary source of entertainment is reading
My kids can’t find me in a bar so reading there is relaxing.
It’s because few young people read for fun. A lot of them can’t – even seniors in high school.
source: r/Teachers
Yesterday I was reading after class and my book was good, I was finally getting into it (which is hard because I’m reading it in my second language) so I just… kept reading as I walked home. I did that for me. I was having fun. What would it have to do with anyone else?
The people who call it performative feel guilty that they don’t read, likely that they don’t put effort into bettering themselves or expanding their minds in any way. People with hobbies know what it’s like to be taken away by them and to want to take part in them anywhere. People who read know how nice it is to be able to just get into a book and drift through it. Got an issue? Get a hobby.
“Whatcha readin for?”
“So I don’t become a waitress in a Waffle House”
– Bill Hicks
Imagine being so fucking stupid that you think minding your own business by READING is “showing off”.
I think most people are performative themselves and assume everyone else is too
It’s seen as peacocking by the barely literate.
I had someone get legit mad at me, and accuse me of faking reading to seem smarter than other people. I was just minding my own business waiting at the laundromat. It’s good quiet time to read where I won’t get randomly interrupted, and Project Hail Mary isn’t exactly braggy smart person literature in the first place lol.
I was reading in a mall yesterday, but it’s because I had to take a pack of 13 year old girls there and I didn’t want to stand around in the store with them like a creep.
It can be it’s not hard to understand
Reading a book is nothing. Reading letters written in cursive would be a flex!
…have we gone backward in time?
It’s not a flex to read. It’s not a statement.
It has nothing to do with anyone but the person hopefully enjoying their book.
Women and men of all lifestyles have the ability and desire to read… it’s not the 1800s.
I’m sorry, people think what????
Brag about seeing up & coking posts much?
Anything can be turned into a performative act if they start clicking pics doing it in public for social media attention baiting. But if people think only reader’s do that, lol. Lmao even.
Let them read in peace
I’ve never heard someone say that they thought people were reading in public to “show off”, though I’m not surprised some people think that way. Alas, I’m usually just reading in public to avoid having to talk to people, because they’re the fucking worst most of the damn time.
Reading a book / magazine in public is an intentional decision on my part to do something other than looking at my phone.If people want to think it’s a flex, be my guest.
When my nephew was a little boy, he would read while walking.
Read your damn book and you won’t see any posts about it
There are a lot of people with nothing better to do with their lives than find ways to look down on others.
Telling someone who is reading in public the they’re hung performative, is right up these people’s alley.
The only time I read in a “performative” way is if a little kid has looking at me a lot and I want to make a good impression on them
A performative act? Just to clarify, we are talking about silent reading, right?
There’s more than one reason to do things. For some that might be exactly what they’re doing, or maybe they’re doing it just to not feel weird being alone somewhere, or they don’t want to talk to people so use it as an excuse to not want to be bothered, or they specifically want to be out amongst people, but also read, which is not in itself performative just wanting to not feel like a shut in, or they are doing it so they can be seen by someone, maybe hoping someone will flirt with the person quietly reading, or they really just want to read the book, or they’re killing time in a way that isn’t staring at their phone. So while you may not be doing it in a performative manner, someone might be. All sorts of motives.
Being able to read shouldn’t be a flex.. I’m just wondering if these people are jealous or something, why do you care that much? If it upsets you, pick up a book and learn how to read
people who make those posts and comments have never fallen in deep and true love with a book 😍
This isn’t even an unpopular opinion. Only people who can’t read think reading is peacocking.
The average reading level in the US is pathetic, of course morons are going to feel incompetent and inadequate
Because they are
Who the fuck thinks it is?
I cannot watch something in public – even with headphones. What if there’s an emotional scene, that should make me cry. How am I gonna connect with it when I’m in public? What if there’s a funny scene that makes me laugh? My laughter can be loud and barking when I am legitimately amused. Or, god forbid, what if there is a nudey scene? How do I watch that in public?
I also can’t just sit alone with my thoughts, they’ll eat me alive – and even if I was capable of doing so, it might make it seem I am open to interaction with strangers – and I am far too socially awkward to put that vibe out there – so clearly my oldest and dearest companion – the written word, is the logical choice.
And so I strictly read – and only things I’ve already read or don’t expect to have much impact on me emotionally – on the rare occasion I have to spend a duration in public. I know my reasons for reading in public may be crazy – but the action of doing so being judged – especially as a superficial means of peacocking – is waaaay crazier than me.
People think this? What kind of lame ass bullshit is that, to think that reading in a coffee shop is performative?
“Oh, look at you, looking all pensive with your book. You think you’re better than everyone, huh? With your little book?”
That is some self loathing nonsense if I ever heard it
I think this is just an extension of like metal/rock shirt gatekeeping culture where you’ll get asked to “name three songs” and now that booktok has developed a cult aesthetic for people to absorb into their personalities, they’re testing people to see if they “actually read.” To them, it’s not enough for you to be currently reading, you need to already be well read, or you’re not a “real” reader. Or not even well read as in you’re “intellectual” like some of these fuckers read smut and tween dramas for crying out loud.
Tbh I think it goes even beyond reading. A lot of the current generation thinks everything is a performative act, it’s maddening. You can’t walk down the street minding your own business without someone telling you you’re “aura farming,” fucking juvenile and irritating af.
Furthermore, maybe I’m reading on the Kindle app on my phone and not just scrolling bullshit.
I hope reading comes back when foldable phones become more commonplace. The form factor makes it so you can finally always have an ebook reader sized screen in your pocket.
Who am I kidding most people will just watch movies or do the same thing they also do buy with a bigger screen.
Idgaf about what some braindead, duck lipped, tiktok junkie posting to get engagement thinks about my hobby. I’ve been reading in public since I was a kid. But also, I’ve not once ever heard this event happening so I don’t think your opinion is that unpopular
I just cut the middle of the book out like in a movie and my phone is inside and I’m just watching porn. But people think I’m super smart.
Some people are just weird. How does a stranger reading a book affect you in any ways. Save your anger for the assholes playing their shitty music in public
Showing off? 😅😂 What? I didn’t realize people felt this way. What an odd thing for someone to feel. Are they illiterate themselves? Assume everyone is addicted to their phone?
Reading is and always has been a super normal pastime…
It’s pure projection. These people spend hours scrolling through their phone and secretly hate it. They wish they were the type of people who read to pass the time.
Where are the posts saying this? Links?
Wild that people think being literate is worth flexing…
It’s an Idiocratic notion…