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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?

#41

Post by codyrobbins »

olliesaunders wrote: post #23
Tangurena wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

The company shouldn't fire someone for not knowing their place in front of a vice president and making a snide remark? I think that's absolutely acceptable. If the vice president wants to touch your screen, you're not really in a place to chew him out about it. I would venture to guess that doing so was most likely indicative of broader issues with the employee in this case, i.e., if she doesn't know her place in front of upper-level executives, how is she interacting with important customers, contractors, vendors, government officials, etc.?

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

#42

Post by pistoriusp »

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 hate that. It's the same as people starting a sentence with "I'm sorry, but..." And then saying something that they're not really sorry about.

It's not silly to not want someone to touch your screen. I think you should just come out and say it. "Please don't touch my monitor."

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

#43

Post by msie »

First of all, you shouldn't apologize for telling people not to touch your screen.

I would be curt about it when it happens: "Please don't touch the screen, thanks." And say it with a smile. That way it would almost be a disposable, passing remark like: "Watch your step.". Making a big production of it would be worse for both sides. You want to say something and just move on so the incident doesn't linger too long. In a way, you are trusting the person to get the point. If he/she doesn't get it then it's their fault, not yours. I can see how this would be difficult if it doesn't suit your personality or the one you project at the office.

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

#45

Post by bts »

pistoriusp wrote: post #42
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 hate that. It's the same as people starting a sentence with "I'm sorry, but..." And then saying something that they're not really sorry about. It's not silly to not want someone to touch your screen. I think you should just come out and say it. "Please don't touch my monitor."

Personally I would use the "I'm sorry, but..." approach because I'd be legitimately sorry that I have to take conversation into an awkward direction for a moment. I think the direct approach, while some would appreciate it, is taking a bit of a gamble: there's too much of a chance the person could take it the wrong way.

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

#46

Post by DrJokepu »

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.

Pen is something different though as it doesn't live a fingerprint or any trace. People touching my display with their fingers really pisses me off but a pen (or a ruler or anything) okay for me. Or even if they must, then at least touch it with the tip of their nails and not with the skin.

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

#48

Post by simonista »

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."

In my opinion comedy only works in situations like these if you're also a bit silly/comic in other situations. Otherwise it's obvious that you're just using it to try to diffuse the confrontation and it doesn't work.

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

#50

Post by philwelch »

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."

"What's seventeen inches and resting on my thigh"?
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