I have been in and out of doctors offices this past week, and I am here to tell you about an observation I have made… and, as my family will attest to, I have made (and made and made and made, ETC) this observation "a few times" before. (They would probably tell you that I make the same observation… almost verbatim, every time I return from visiting any type of office where I am required to sit in a waiting room…)
Let me preface this blog by saying that I NEVER go to any type of waiting room without my current book…. and, I mean NEVER… As a matter of fact, I think that I would be very safe in saying that neither of my children nor my husband ever go anywhere without their current books… either a "real" book, or an audio book. So, enough about us!
I am always amazed, while sitting in a waiting room, at just how few people take a book to read. I guess that a lot of people really want to read golf magazines that are so outdated that Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus are the big stars, or basketball magazines that feature the dazzling new young players… Larry Byrd or Wilt Chamberlain.
What are these people thinking?!? I just cannot imagine going somewhere that might require an hour (or longer in some cases) wait, and not having something to read… of MY choice!
I remember back to the time when my children were young. Any time there was an expectation of sitting in a waiting room, there was a tote bag with several books in it that came with us. Apparently, doctors’ offices are now aware that the majority of people who bring their children for doctors’ appointments do not bring books, because now there are actually little play areas for all of the sick children to congregate and share germs while handling the toys.
Whatever happened to children sitting quietly while their mother or father simply read to them? When did it become necessary for doctors’ offices to have play areas, or loud videos on over-head plasma televisions in their waiting rooms? I guess a better question would be WHY is it necessary for the people who are going to keep us waiting to provide entertainment for us…. wouldn’t a better idea be for us to simply BRING A BOOK?
If you’d like to post a comment… please feel free to do so… the comment button is below this blog entry.
Jan says
YES!! But I’ve figured out the answer as to why they don’t bring a book. They don’t read! Shocking isn’t it?
I confess I am always shocked by people who say (admit) they don’t read. To me, reading is as essential as breathing and if the truth be told I kind of wonder about people who don’t read. It’s that foreign of a concept to me.
And, as a related aside, has anyone ever looked at you and smugly said “I’d like to read but I don’t have time.” As if I live a life of luxurious leisure with nothing to do! GRRRR!! Readers find time to read by doing exactly what you said…we take a book everywhere we go and take advantage of every opportunity to read.
And speaking of waiting rooms, I find it so distracting to listen to a blaring television while I’m trying to read my book. Sometimes it’s just impossible. I know someone who takes along instrumental music on her iPod so she can concentrate on reading without distractions…great idea, eh?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Jan,
It is always incredible to me when people actually admit to not reading…. When I am sitting in a waiting room (or some other area where I am either listening to a book or reading one) and I see people just sitting there, gazing off into space, I sometimes wonder what they could possibly be thinking about.
And, by the way, I love that idea of the iPod with instrumental music. I thought I was one of the very few who hates to have television (or music with lyrics) playing in the background. I know people who can actually watch TV while reading. I am not a multi-tasker…. I have to re-read the parts of my book a few times while sitting in waiting rooms that have distracting noises.
Chris Forman says
I am a high school teacher (English and Social Studies) and I find that students, as well as adults, are reading less and less with each passing year. I encourage them to read and give extra credit for any book report they turn in (provided they actually read the book)
I had a girl in my social studies class a few years ago who loved to read and would even read while I was lecturing. I let her do it because she was capable of reading and listening at the same time. I did, however, get her to put the book down and start to argue with me over a point I had made in the lecture. Rare brilliance.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Chris, If you had said you had a boy in your class a few years ago who read while you were lecturing… I would have wondered what my son had been doing in your neck of the woods! I can’t get over this generation’s ability to read and attend their environment at the same time. I wonder if growing up with all of the Sesame Street stimulation helped them to hone their skills…
I’m glad you wrote this comment… I just added you to my list of authors… which you can access from my "What’s New" page or the "F" page… It was nice to hear from you again!
Chris Forman says
Okay, I have to weigh in again. I was at the doctor’s ofice today and brought my book. I got there at 3:30 for a 4:10 appointment. The doctor was running late and I saw him at 5:45. The other two men there were fuming. I just thought I was lucky to catch up on my reading.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
You and me, both! Between the three doctors’ offices I visited today…. I clocked in at least an hour and a half on my audible book.
(Unfortunately, I have to admit that I might have been a little closer to “fuming” than feeling “lucky!”) But, you’re point is taken…