“Too busy to read the paper”

I know it will sound self-serving to question the veracity of that report.

But I do. Almost always.

Think about it. Would an audit of the speaker’s day reveal that he or she spent every waking moment in important, necessary activity?

Of course, not.

Is saying that an indication of viral self-importance? As in the implied “I am busier than people who read the paper.”

Possibly.

The thing is, the decision to read the paper is a personal call. If you don’t, you don’t. It’s up to you.

But when people assert that they are “too busy”, well, not everyone finds that credible.