oh... people

[dooneling]

Let's say you were having a conversation with a friend who was sitting at his computer

Comments

[wavyarms]

I would be totally miffed.

The "I'm reading" comment is over the top. But I would actually be miffed even if I was trying to explain about something I'd read, and someone jumped in to try and one-up my information immediately.

[dooneling]

Ahh, validation. Thanks!

(though I notice I turned to the internet myself...)

[osirusbrisbane]

I would probably be mildly irked. But I don't know if I'd consider it abnormal, depending on the person. Some people are impossible to talk with while they're at computers.

[dooneling]

True enough, some people are. Perhaps I should just accept the internet as a constant third party in conversations with this particular friend.

[entropicangel]

Um, yeah, I'd be miffed (how much would depend on whom it was and on my mood). *hugs*

[dooneling]

yeah, now I'm in a different mood, it seems pretty laughable.
thanks for the hug.

[entropicangel]

it does seem laughable, too, I guess ... but I think I'd still be at least quietly steamed. And *hugs* are basically always on tap :)

[kassrachel]

I would be miffed. In general I presume that in-person socializing trumps online socializing. If I were having a conversation with someone in person, I would want them to want to continue talking with me, instead of turning to the internet.

Though in our circle of friends it sometimes seems appropriate for people to read while in social settings -- but that's a different matter, I think. If you were at a party here and felt the desire to retreat into a book, no one would bat an eye.

[sanj]

Depending on the friend in question, it might be totally normal behavior... but it would still cheese me off. ;P