Is reading over someones shoulder rude?

[RadioNate]

I just showed my dad a photo of my cousin's wedding dress on the computer. After I closed the window with the photo he stood behind me and read the DIS post I was looking at over my shoulder.

Is this rude or completely acceptable?

 

[kimmikayb]

IMO, rude. I hate it. I even had someone next to me reading my text messages at the football game. It wasn't anything special, just updating a friend on the score but just the same...she should have minded her own business!

 

[Evil Genius]

Rude. If I wanted you to see it I would have shown it to you in the first place

 

[SwedishMeatball]

Generally rude, but in your Dad's case I think he was just curious and probably distracted by something shiny he saw.

 

[Tazicket]

In general, RUDE RUDE RUDE. It drives me nuts when people do that to me. It totally skeevs me out.

 

[JR6ooo4]

Rude unless you ask or are invited...

Mikeeee

 

[sunlver]

I think its rude as well.. If invite somebody to read something while Im on the computer, well thats a dift situation. I would never read over somebodys shoulder, and expect the same.

 

[NMAmy]

Generally rude, but in your Dad's case I think he was just curious and probably distracted by something shiny he saw.

Yep. If it's that private, then don't invite me to look at something and then close out the window.

I work on a lot of confidential stuff and I have one co-worker who will get up suddenly and then come stand behind me to "tell me something" but is really trying to sneak a peek. I had to tell him to back off. I also snap my laptop shut when he does it so I think he's FINALLY getting the message.

 

[JR6ooo4]

Yep. If it's that private, then don't invite me to look at something and then close out the window.

I work on a lot of confidential stuff and I have one co-worker who will get up suddenly and then come stand behind me to "tell me something" but is really trying to sneak a peek. I had to tell him to back off. I also snap my laptop shut when he does it so I think he's FINALLY getting the message.

exactly why one of my many mouse buttons is set to "minimize window". Much quicker than trying to close the lid on my desktop computer. Hehehheheee

Mikeeee

 

[MoniqueU]

My kids like to do that to me. I tell them to back off. It is rude IMHO.

 

[GeorgeG]

Rude unless you ask or are invited...

Mikeeee

That's my opinion, too.

 

[Ciao Mickey]

It's very rude.

 

[slo]

I voted "other" because I feel 2 different ways

If someone came up to you, out of no where, and started reading behind your back, or over your shoulder, than it's rude - no doubt about it.

If you invite someone to come look at something, and they are reading over your should, than it's acceptable.

 

[drag n' fly]

It gives me the willies when someone reads over my shoulder!

 

[Charade]

It's rude but I've done it. Usually on an airplane because I'm bored.

 

[RadioNate]

to clarify - he was invited to look at the photo on the computer screen.

However I had closed down that window, opened up the DIS, went to the CB and chose an individual post, which he stood behind and read.

I didn't actually know he was still standing behind me since a few minutes had passed until he started commenting on the post.

Me saying something about it has started this 'argument.'

As one can imagine, I think it is rude. It wasn't anything private. I just don't think you should stand behind someone watching what they are doing. He doesn't think he did anything wrong at all. He doesn't even think he was being nosy.

Houseguests, lol what can you do right?

 

[deekaypee]

Rude. The only exception I can think of is reading someone's newspaper/magazine over their shoulder in, say, a commuter situation. And I try not to do even that!

 

[Freyja]

Reading what somebody is writing (or reading) on a computer is rude in my opinion. Reading the newspaper (it´s not personal) over someone´s shoulder is annoying but not rude imho.