“Highly variable” is not particularly helpful but I suppose if it’s true then there might not be much more to say.
Regarding variability:
Are you in a section of the library where talking is forbidden? Probably don’t talk there unless you wish to flaunt rulebreaking.
Don’t interrupt people when they are thoroughly engrossed in reading a book or look like they are fully focussed on getting their assignment finished by 5:30. Do talk to people if they look more relaxed or generally not busy.
“Obvious” kind of stuff, for a suitable value of obvious. (Also ‘obvious’ is that you could probably talk to even the busy folks if you are particularly charming or appear high status. That’s how social rules work.)
The “don’t” part was pretty obvious to me, and generalizes to other places, the “do” part was not. :) I would have assumed people in libraries probably want to be left alone.
OK, good to know. “Highly variable” is not particularly helpful but I suppose if it’s true then there might not be much more to say.
Regarding variability:
Are you in a section of the library where talking is forbidden? Probably don’t talk there unless you wish to flaunt rulebreaking.
Don’t interrupt people when they are thoroughly engrossed in reading a book or look like they are fully focussed on getting their assignment finished by 5:30. Do talk to people if they look more relaxed or generally not busy.
“Obvious” kind of stuff, for a suitable value of obvious. (Also ‘obvious’ is that you could probably talk to even the busy folks if you are particularly charming or appear high status. That’s how social rules work.)
The “don’t” part was pretty obvious to me, and generalizes to other places, the “do” part was not. :) I would have assumed people in libraries probably want to be left alone.