I think I'm with ita wrt people reading what I'm reading.

Not so much with books, mainly because I tend not to read books in a way that they can be easily co-opted. But if I'm reading the paper on the Commuter rail, where it's less easy to keep the page to yourself, and I sense someone trying to read it, my first impulse is to smack said person with the paper, 'cause, ya know, it's only 50 cents (or free, depending on the paper) - get your own fucking paper and stay out of my bubble. Especially if they notice I noticed and look away, and then try to sneak a peak again when I go back to reading.

That said, if I don't notice, more power to you. But if I notice? You've broken the bubble.

I'm going to guess he doesn't listen to the Air America Podcasts.

He listens to it while riding his bike. Maybe he listens to Air America as a way to motivate himself to ride harder.

I realize what I love reading the most on the train is specialized stuff -- people studying for a nursing test, or reading financial reports from their job, or whatever. It's the glimpse into other people's worlds that I love about living in the city.

I try and sneak reads in airplanes. But with the understanding that I'm smackable if caught. It's like Jesse said -- their work is alien and fascinating.

right. no need for twice.

I only try to sneak reads of magazines. anything else is too much of a commitment.

obsessively not doing work. I tried to give the work that I completed to others, but they were out of their offices.

I try and sneak reads in airplanes. But with the understanding that I'm smackable if caught. It's like Jesse said -- their work is alien and fascinating.

Does that include laptops? What you try to sneak read, I mean, not what you're smackable with.

Bwah. I'm listening to a seven minute voicemail left in error by someone who was transferred (again in error) to my extension and is pissed that no one can take her call. She thinks she's hung up -- so I heard her cursing, and now her and husband are yelling at the kid.

I'll get these kind of messages only the person doesn't know that their cell phone (most likely in a pocket) dialed the number without knowing it and I get to hear lengthy messages about two adults fighting and cussing at each other. Those get deleted immediately, I don't wait for it to finish.

On trains, I sneak-watch movies on other people's laptops all the time. (Since it's usually something I've seen, and don't need sound to appreciate.)

On the subway, I live far enough from the city that I generally get a seat, and then I'm reading my own stuff, or playing Bejeweled on my Clie.

I have a horrible time when someone has a laptop on a plane. It's like the tv on at a bar. My eyes are just drawn to it. It's distracting and I really try not to read what's on the screen.

OTOH, last time I did, the guy was someone giving a presentation to headquarters about something Really Important to my workplace, and I was able to tell him where to find some useful public information to plump up his argument.