This comeback Always Works With the Smart-Ass Comment
Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2026 9:09 pm
I have long been known as the guy who brings a book to basketball games. I like to read during half-time and between games and such. Small school and a long history of going to games means we know a lot of people.
I have noticed (it doesn't happen a lot) but sometimes women that we know will ask what I am reading and if I prefer fiction or non-fiction and such. Men never ask (with a caveat to follow at the end).
One teacher who takes pictures at the games said she likes to look and see if I am at a game because I am always high (in the stands-not stoned) and off to one side with my book. I hate sitting as part of the crowd surrounded by people and I do not like people behind me-so (if possible) I try and find a spot in the last row and hopefully off to one side a little away from the crowd.
While men generally don't ask what I am reading-every once in a awhile-i get a smart ass comment by a man about bringing a book to a game. My response is always "Hey, everybody else sits and looks and their phones"-leaving them with really the only possible response as some variation of "Yeah, I never thought of that". I just got that comment the other night so it is fresh in my mind.
Caveat of 2 men who used to ask what I was reading. When the kids were younger and I had to take them to activities and read a book while I was waiting-there were 2 teachers roughly my age (since retired) who would always ask me what I was reading and such.
I have noticed (it doesn't happen a lot) but sometimes women that we know will ask what I am reading and if I prefer fiction or non-fiction and such. Men never ask (with a caveat to follow at the end).
One teacher who takes pictures at the games said she likes to look and see if I am at a game because I am always high (in the stands-not stoned) and off to one side with my book. I hate sitting as part of the crowd surrounded by people and I do not like people behind me-so (if possible) I try and find a spot in the last row and hopefully off to one side a little away from the crowd.
While men generally don't ask what I am reading-every once in a awhile-i get a smart ass comment by a man about bringing a book to a game. My response is always "Hey, everybody else sits and looks and their phones"-leaving them with really the only possible response as some variation of "Yeah, I never thought of that". I just got that comment the other night so it is fresh in my mind.
Caveat of 2 men who used to ask what I was reading. When the kids were younger and I had to take them to activities and read a book while I was waiting-there were 2 teachers roughly my age (since retired) who would always ask me what I was reading and such.