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Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my laptop screen?

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Re: Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my laptop screen?

#21

Post by kailoa »

cschep wrote: post #16

I always start the sentence with... "I know this is weird, but..." It helps me get to the actual point of direct confrontation, but by blaming it on myself it helps absorb some of the awkward. Truly though, I hate it when people touch my laptop's screen!

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)

Re: Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my laptop screen?

#22

Post by devin »

tsally wrote: post #15

Wow I'm hearing tons of complicated ways to avoid direct conversation. If you pay several thousand dollars for a machine, I'm pretty sure you get to decide to gets to do what with it. If it is your companies screen, you are still responsible for it, so the same thing applies. Next time it happens, just politely explain how you feel. There's no need for the passive aggressive solutions that a few people are suggesting…

The reason people have all these passive aggressive solutions is because they feel kind of embarrassed that they have such an attachment to an inanimate object. It's like telling someone not to touch your baby.

I know most people will claim that it's just the cost of the item, but in reality I think it's that they're addicted to that little window into the machine. I know I am.

Re: Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my laptop screen?

#23

Post by olliesaunders »

Tangurena wrote: post #18
mgrouchy wrote: post #4

I agree completely, people do this all the time, waving pens at my screen, etc. I think the easiest way to do it was the way you suggested, most people will get the hint if you just polish the smudge they left in front of them. You don't have to be rude or anything. You can even be discreet about it. People will still get the point.

I had a co-worker who used to stop what she was doing, and blurt some variation of "here, let me help you clean that fingerprint off my monitor" and then proceed to engage in her ritual of cleaning the CRT (this predated LCD monitors). Several other coworkers intentionally would poke the monitor with their fingers (the grease from the side of your nose is great for this), just to get a rise out of her. The day she pu…

This is almost making me angry. Someone would fire someone else for that? Please tell me you're not saying that.

Re: Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my laptop screen?

#24

Post by TweedHeads »

TweedHeads wrote: post #20

Create a funny web page and have it bookmarked on your browser. Whenever someone approaches you, quickly switch to that web page. donttouchmyfuckingscreenorillkillyou.com is available.

This bookmarklet may help:

  javascript:document.write("Don't touch my screen!")

Re: Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my laptop screen?

#26

Post by rjurney »

cschep wrote: post #16

I always start the sentence with... "I know this is weird, but..." It helps me get to the actual point of direct confrontation, but by blaming it on myself it helps absorb some of the awkward. Truly though, I hate it when people touch my laptop's screen!

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."

Re: Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my laptop screen?

#27

Post by cesare »

I hate when people do this. And I'm surprised by how many people don't understand the problem.

It's not necessary to touch the screen even if you're pointing something. Grab the mouse (or use the touchpad) or just point without touching. Is it so difficult?

It's obviously a habit acquired by interacting with paper and less fragile (and expensive) media. But for me it is a sign of ignorance.

I hate this so much that I avoid to bring my laptop at meetings unless it is strictly necessary.

Re: Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my laptop screen?

#28

Post by mgrouchy »

Tangurena wrote: post #18
mgrouchy wrote: post #4

I agree completely, people do this all the time, waving pens at my screen, etc. I think the easiest way to do it was the way you suggested, most people will get the hint if you just polish the smudge they left in front of them. You don't have to be rude or anything. You can even be discreet about it. People will still get the point.

I had a co-worker who used to stop what she was doing, and blurt some variation of "here, let me help you clean that fingerprint off my monitor" and then proceed to engage in her ritual of cleaning the CRT (this predated LCD monitors). Several other coworkers intentionally would poke the monitor with their fingers (the grease from the side of your nose is great for this), just to get a rise out of her. The day she pu…

Sounds like she was snide about it. However, that is a dumb reason to fire someone. I would not have wanted to work for that company.

Re: Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my laptop screen?

#29

Post by nudded »

rjurney wrote: post #26
cschep wrote: post #16

I always start the sentence with... "I know this is weird, but..." It helps me get to the actual point of direct confrontation, but by blaming it on myself it helps absorb some of the awkward. Truly though, I hate it when people touch my laptop's screen!

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."

That is definitly one to remember. And it is actually good advice, making a joke out of it will make the other person feel less bad.

Re: Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my laptop screen?

#30

Post by cduan »

cschep wrote: post #16

I always start the sentence with... "I know this is weird, but..." It helps me get to the actual point of direct confrontation, but by blaming it on myself it helps absorb some of the awkward. Truly though, I hate it when people touch my laptop's screen!

I'd also offer them an option, like a mouse to point with.
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