Unless of course it is an extremely good looking woman, then I get kinda shy (damn, I still have that problem at 38!) and will be more cautious in talking to her.
But if it is someone (beautiful woman or not) reading a book I've read, or even just in the F/SF genres, I will often attempt to strike up some sort of conversation, if there is an opening.
If I am in a public place and I see someone reading (that is not obviously totally immersed in the book; you can often tell because they will occasionally scan their surroundings if they aren't immersed completely) then I will usually ask what they are reading if the cover isn't visible. If the cover is visible, and it is something I've read I'll ask them what they think of it so far, or what scene they are at. If it is a genre piece I haven't read, I'll ask them if they recommend it, and try to get a conversation started that way.
But you have to watch for the subtle, and not so subtle, clues of annoyance at being interrupted, and if you spot them, just say "I'll let you get back to the book, enjoy!" and smile and let them be.
EDIT to add: Ironically, I'm more able to start up a conversation with that beautiful woman in a public place (shyness be damned) than I am at a party or a bar (but then, people usually aren't reading books at either of those locations). I guess this stems from the fact that at bars or parties, when a guy starts talking to a woman (or vice versa) it is all part of the process of trying to pick someone up (at which point I get this feeling like she's thinking "what a creep, all he wants to talk to me for is a chance to get into my pants, as if I would let HIM do that" ). But when elsewhere, it feels like it is just the friendly thing to do.
To the question in the title: Yes. To the one just above: No.
No way to know beforehand.
I stated it above. Yes. I've never made a friend because I've never done it in the "beeline" style you describe. That can be creepy. Instead, try subtlety. I don't go out of my way to make conversation, instead only saying something if I'm already near.
Yes. It's either been a short conversation or one of several minutes, but never a bad experience.
And to answer the overall theme of the post: Speaking to a stranger because you know you both have a common interest or experience is about as normal a reason to speak to a stranger as there is, and I frankly don't understand why you needed to ask at all.
it's questioning whether it's a normal reason to, certainly more reasonable than approaching a stranger and asking what colour their underpants are and how they like it in bed, but still talking to strangers is often outside the social norm unless you're both thrown into an enclosed space for a long period of time
But if it is someone (beautiful woman or not) reading a book I've read, or even just in the F/SF genres, I will often attempt to strike up some sort of conversation, if there is an opening.
If I am in a public place and I see someone reading (that is not obviously totally immersed in the book; you can often tell because they will occasionally scan their surroundings if they aren't immersed completely) then I will usually ask what they are reading if the cover isn't visible. If the cover is visible, and it is something I've read I'll ask them what they think of it so far, or what scene they are at. If it is a genre piece I haven't read, I'll ask them if they recommend it, and try to get a conversation started that way.
But you have to watch for the subtle, and not so subtle, clues of annoyance at being interrupted, and if you spot them, just say "I'll let you get back to the book, enjoy!" and smile and let them be.
EDIT to add: Ironically, I'm more able to start up a conversation with that beautiful woman in a public place (shyness be damned) than I am at a party or a bar (but then, people usually aren't reading books at either of those locations). I guess this stems from the fact that at bars or parties, when a guy starts talking to a woman (or vice versa) it is all part of the process of trying to pick someone up (at which point I get this feeling like she's thinking "what a creep, all he wants to talk to me for is a chance to get into my pants, as if I would let HIM do that" ). But when elsewhere, it feels like it is just the friendly thing to do.
or is it just weird?
To the question in the title: Yes. To the one just above: No.
now if it was the other way around i'd probably embrace it, i come on a book forum i enjoy discussing the finer details of fantasy epic, but would he be of a similar disposition? it wasn't worth the risk of him forcing a smile, humouring me with small talk and then dismissing me with a slight air of embarrassment and then enduring a week of passing each other around the pool and doing that raised eyebrow nod of acknowledgment to each other
No way to know beforehand.
so what's your opinion? ever made an obvious attempt at conversation with a person you see reading something you've read? and this isn't like when you're both in a book shop or a similar established ground for literary discourse. this is where you've crossed the expanse of a park or made for someone where they've noticed your approach and regarded you with wary anxiety as you've out of nowhere made an uninvited beeline for their reading solitude. were you stone walled or did you make a new friend? or do you have a more subtle tactic of perhaps edging closer, leaning over and being like...don't you just hate <insert character name> too?
I stated it above. Yes. I've never made a friend because I've never done it in the "beeline" style you describe. That can be creepy. Instead, try subtlety. I don't go out of my way to make conversation, instead only saying something if I'm already near.
similarly have you ever been received such attentions, how was the experience?
Yes. It's either been a short conversation or one of several minutes, but never a bad experience.
And to answer the overall theme of the post: Speaking to a stranger because you know you both have a common interest or experience is about as normal a reason to speak to a stranger as there is, and I frankly don't understand why you needed to ask at all.
it's questioning whether it's a normal reason to, certainly more reasonable than approaching a stranger and asking what colour their underpants are and how they like it in bed, but still talking to strangers is often outside the social norm unless you're both thrown into an enclosed space for a long period of time
Death to the Regressives of the GOP and the TeaParty. No mercy for Conservatives. Burn them all at the stake for the hateful satanists they are.
This message last edited by imlad on 15/09/2011 at 05:52:27 PM
does seeing someone reading a book you like justify striking up a conversation
- 10/09/2011 08:21:28 PM
1292 Views
Only if you fancy them and are using it as an excuse to chat them up. *NM*
- 10/09/2011 11:44:07 PM
420 Views
I wouldn't interuppt someone while they are reading.
- 11/09/2011 03:16:50 AM
1155 Views
it is pretty easy tell if they would rather just be reading
- 12/09/2011 03:13:30 PM
994 Views
I guess my thing is I just hate to be interrupted and don't want to do it to someone else
- 12/09/2011 04:28:30 PM
1046 Views
you get that immersed even in public area?
- 12/09/2011 06:52:54 PM
896 Views
Usually. If it's not a situation where I CAN, I just won't read.
- 12/09/2011 07:23:48 PM
1092 Views
I used to be timid. Now I don't care and will happily interrupt.
- 11/09/2011 07:42:35 AM
1055 Views
it's the "i will probably never see again" i can't get my head around
- 11/09/2011 10:21:45 AM
964 Views
Answers to questions asked.
- 11/09/2011 03:34:32 PM
990 Views
i asked because i wondered how many people would welcome it or view it as an intrusion
- 13/09/2011 02:25:32 PM
982 Views
I love talking to perfect strangers
- 15/09/2011 05:34:27 PM
1330 Views
I have just gone up to someone and said "good choice in book"
- 11/09/2011 04:49:21 PM
974 Views
did he reply or did you back away...staring and pointing at the book? 
- 13/09/2011 02:27:45 PM
1048 Views
- 13/09/2011 02:27:45 PM
1048 Views
I can't resist that. I will always say something. Many people have done the same with me
- 11/09/2011 06:10:36 PM
1084 Views
How do you even figure out what they're reading?
- 12/09/2011 05:44:30 AM
1037 Views
i look at the cover, i very rarely see someone reading a book bent back on itself *NM*
- 13/09/2011 02:31:52 PM
555 Views
Thats just irritating when it happens to me...I never would do that to another human. *NM*
- 12/09/2011 08:54:06 AM
468 Views
i love the farseer books too! and yeah a little weird, but not that weird *NM*
- 13/09/2011 10:37:53 PM
371 Views