California is being taken over

[thesummerqueen]

I live in North Carolina and occasionally get the Bible Belt treatment - usually in winter when I'm wearing mostly black clothing (so sue me, it's slimming, and it matches everything - I'm not a goth, I'm just lazy). I tend to read a lot of science or historical books in public myself, and people don't always agree with the titles. Piece of advice that always stops the conversation: when they first lay into you, listen briefly then say "thank you." and go back to reading. If they try again, you can either a) ignore them (mp3 players are GREAT for this, as it gives you a sort-of excuse) or you can screw with them further and b) repeat "thank you". After a few "thank you's", even the most hard-core public-transit missionaries give up. As for them sneaking Bibles into your backpack, I'd keep a better watch on my bags and keep them tightly zipped, but for the most part, they're just paper. Chuck 'em. I would be a little more worried about the skinheads, but eventually they will realize they have to get jobs and grow up too.