It's weird. Not everybody does it, and some of those that don't do it can't seem to understand it as being within the range of variation for social customs. Some time ago, I was at a restaurant with relatives, waiting for the meal to be served, and trying to keep the baby playing quietly at our table and not creating a public nuisance. The baby was trying to play peek-a-boo with people at the next table, on the other side of the low barrier. The mother asked me (who could see the people at the table behind her) what they were doing, and if the baby was pestering them. Adrian: "They're both reading. They don't seem to be paying any attention to the baby." Mommy: "What are they doing?" Adrian: "Reading. 2 people, 2 books. While they're waiting for dinner, or waiting for the check, or something." Mommy: "You're joking. Nobody would do that." I didn't say, "I would." or "I do." or "Some of my best friends do." I just stood up to get a better look, and said mildly, "Well, they are, and they seem content with it."
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Date: 2007-11-11 03:31 am (UTC)Adrian: "They're both reading. They don't seem to be paying any attention to the baby."
Mommy: "What are they doing?"
Adrian: "Reading. 2 people, 2 books. While they're waiting for dinner, or waiting for the check, or something."
Mommy: "You're joking. Nobody would do that."
I didn't say, "I would." or "I do." or "Some of my best friends do."
I just stood up to get a better look, and said mildly, "Well, they are, and they seem content with it."