I used to clip a telescoping pointer on the edge of my CRT. Nowadays I just break your finger at the knuckle and say, What's the matter with yooouu.
Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my laptop screen?
111–120 of 134 posts
Re: Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my laptop screen?
#112If somebody actually touches my screen while pointing at it I immediately say "Do not touch the screen!" It appears that people don't perceive it as rude and just continue pointing without touching.
Re: Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my laptop screen?
#113Earlier quoted context omitted.
Big big upvote. This works much better than the passive-agressive method of silently glaring and cleaning your screen in front of co-worker. Here are more examples of the same technique: "This is totally my own OCD, but it drives me crazy if..." "Just a sec, I have to apologize, but..." "It's probably just me, but it kills me when..." (Don't forget to smile and be apologetic, tone is key)
Damn, what a bunch of sissies. Don't apologise for stuff that isn't your fault, tell them not to touch your screen. No need to make an excuse. Don't be rude, but don't be ridiculous over the top apologetic either.
Well, I think the reason most people try to be nice/humorous is that the screen-poker is generally not aware that they are doing something wrong. They view their computer as a piece of furniture--something that sits on their desks.
Making a joke or lighthearted comment is a lot more effective than saying "hey there, I know you just use your work computer for MS Office, solitaire, and Facebook, but I care more about this computer than most people care for their children. Keep your dirty mitts off of it."
They'll probably never understand why you care so much for your computer, so it's better just to pretend you have some 'weird' issue with people touching your stuff.
Re: Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my laptop screen?
#114Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's etiquette that a lot of people don't know. For example, most people who don't work in technology (and a few who do) don't see a need to look away when you're typing a password - just as most people who don't work in (insert profession here) don't know about (insert profession based behavior expectation here).
I type dvorak on qwerty keyboards, I don't care if they are looking.
I type Bépo (french Dvorak) on a blank keyboard, so they know I don't care.
Re: Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my laptop screen?
#115I threaten them openly. Touch my screen again and I will hurt you. If they repeat the offense I snap them over the fingers.
Worked in every company I was employed...
Re: Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my laptop screen?
#116Earlier quoted context omitted.
Let out a little scream like a madman, "aaaahhh! no touch screen!" Silliness works. Or my favorite: "Touching my computer is like touching my penis. Seriously."
"What's seventeen inches and resting on my thigh"?
Re: Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my laptop screen?
#117Earlier quoted context omitted.
Damn, what a bunch of sissies. Don't apologise for stuff that isn't your fault, tell them not to touch your screen. No need to make an excuse. Don't be rude, but don't be ridiculous over the top apologetic either.
Well, I think the reason most people try to be nice/humorous is that the screen-poker is generally not aware that they are doing something wrong. They view their computer as a piece of furniture--something that sits on their desks. Making a joke or lighthearted comment is a lot more effective than saying "hey there, I know you just use your work computer for MS Office, solitaire, and Facebook, but I care more about t…
If they are not an asshole "please don't touch my screen" is all you need to say.
Re: Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my laptop screen?
#118Earlier quoted context omitted.
We clearly have very different ideas of what "polite" means. Your little exchange makes you come off sounding like a prized asshole. And, seriously, what kind of unevolved cretin can't communicate without pointing anyway? This is ridiculous. Pointing serves a very useful purpose in communication, and is often far more efficient than verbal cues. Have you really never pointed at anything while trying to communicate so…
Yes, I know what pointing accomplishes. But it's also very effective to communicate without marking up my screen in greasy finger prints. Everyone — everyone — who thinks that they can point at something on a screen effectively without touching it, is just fooling themselves. You will touch my screen if you point at it, and I'll know you touched it, because your fingerprint will be there, painted in disgusting finger…
I just pointed at your screen, did I leave a mark ?
Re: Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my laptop screen?
#119I see a lot of posts from the anal retentive crowd. Here's the opposite opinion: I think it's ok to touch laptop screens. I touch my own and if I'm interested enough in pointing something out I may touch yours because at that point I'm at a completely different place mentally and not thinking about your little quirks. One of my co workers stressed out every time I touched his screen but it didn't make me stop. I'd av…
I've learned that people like you exist, and there is an easy way to deal with them. Simply flat-out refuse to engage in a meaningful dialog unless you stop touching my fucking screen. In fact, I'll even get up and walk away if necessary. ("How about we go discuss this at your monitor?") It's not about the expense, and calling it a pet peeve is very dismissive. It's about respect and personal space more than anything…
Damn, now I want to take my pants off and smear my hands across your screen.
Honestly, if you started getting up and walking away every time I came to your cube, I'd be there 3 times a day and half of the other people in the office would be in on it and find it hilarious and you'd probably end up in the cupboard crying and hand in your notice.
Seriously just say "please don't touch my screen" instead of this hilarious behaviour.
Re: Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my laptop screen?
#120If you don't have the personality to tell them, just print out a small label that says "Please don't touch the screen" and tape it to your laptop.
“No Smoking. No Spitting. The MGT.”