Talking to a Non-Reader About Reading

Talking to a non-reader about reading is like--- well it's pretty much like this to me

Why??  Well, I'm glad you asked.

The thing is.  It's almost ALWAYS better in theory.  In theory a non-reader would approach me and ask me what I'm reading.  I, in turn, would show them the glorious cover, gush about the book and the characters and all the things.  Then we would get into a convo about YA in general or books that person had thought of reading, or they would ask for recs.  Something like that.

That RARELY happens.

What normally happens is--

Person: "Whatcha reading?"
Me, trying not to cringe because I'm kind of suspicious about why they are asking: It's called ________.  It's SO good, I bascially feel like I'm going to melt into a pile of feelings right here in the break room because this one character just---
Person, looking mildly horrified: Oh, cool.  You know, I don't know how you find time to read all those books....
Me:  blink, blink
Person: I mean, wow, you're like always reading.  Don't you get bored?
Me: Well, you know, my break is almost over, I better go hit the bathroom.  See you around.

Or this--

Person: "Whatcha reading?"
Me, inwardly cringing because I know how this goes: It's called ________.  It's SO good, I bascially feel like I'm going to melt into a pile of feelings right here in the break room because this one character just---
Person: What did you think about 50 Shades of Grey?  You read that right?
Me: Actually, I haven't.
Person: But you're always reading.
Me: Yes, but--
Person, already on to another subject: Did you see that new ice cream place they put in down the street?

WHY, WHY, WHY must non-readers act like reading is such a waste of time??  I'm not a fisherman, but I don't go around scoffing at people when I see them fishing at lakes and rivers.  I would never think that just because they are out fishing that they must be a loser with nothing at all better to do.  Actually, I would love for a fisherman to tell me about the biggest fish he/she ever caught, or some funny story about a fish almost pulling him/her into the water.  Or they could just tell me about the most beautiful places they'd ever went fishing at.  Same with most hobbies-- I'd love to hear about your hobby and hear what the benefits would be about trying said hobby.

I don't read because I'm a boring person.  I have plenty of other things I could do... I have friends, I like Netflix, I like computers, I like gardening, I like make-up.  I have a CHILD to take care of.  And dogs.  My life is just as busy as yours, but I have a hobby just like you probably have some type of hobby.  Even if that hobby is just watching TV.  And reading is NOT BORING!!!  Maybe to you it is, but to me it's exciting, thrilling, emotional, and so insanely satisfying.

Of course this isn't how all non-readers are, just some.  I do my best to hold in the rage when someone who knows I'm reader gives me that smirk and says "So, how's the reading going?".  I SO wish I had the perfect comeback that was bitchy in a backhanded way, but I can never come up with one fast enough.

If YOU are a Non-Reader: Let's be friends and respect each other's hobbies.  And please don't ask me what I'm reading unless you really want to hear about what I'm reading :)


What are your experiences with Non-Readers??  Do you ever find the need to defend books and reading as a hobby/obsession?