I think it's fine to touch the screen.
You think it is fine to touch the screen, but this thread is showing you that many people do not agree.
Please do not touch my screen.
Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my laptop screen?
61–70 of 134 posts
Re: Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my laptop screen?
#62I 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."
Ok, if someone used your favorite line on me it would provoke an entire hand rubbing across the screen, but then I'm a bit of a real life troll. :-)
Re: Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my laptop screen?
#63I 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.
What use is a mouse if they don't know how to use a finger to point without touching? They'd probably start off by licking it or something.
Re: Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my laptop screen?
#64"Oh, you like the screen, apparently if you clean it with urea it stays brighter [hushed tone] I know a cheap source, I manufacture my own [looks down momentarily],[returning to conversation] now where were we ..."
Re: Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my laptop screen?
#65If 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.
Achtung!
Alle touristen und non-technischen lookenpeepers! Das machine is nicht fur fingerpoken und mittengrabben. Is easy schnappen der springenwerk, blowenfusen und poppencorken mit spitzen sparken. Das machine is diggen by experten only. Is nicht fur gerwerken by das dummkopfen. Das rubbernecken sightseeren keepen das cottenpicken hands in das pockets. Relaxen und watchen das blinkenlights.
Re: Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my laptop screen?
#66Re: Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my laptop screen?
#67It's mostly clients who touch my screen, and they also happen to be the last people I would ever say anything to. But truth be told, I don't really consider it that big of a deal. I am of the opinion that you should pick your battles in life and in most cases it's just easier to take a cloth out of your drawer and wipe the screen than it is to say something to someone who may take it too personally or cause you unneeded grief in some way. When you tell someone not to touch your screen, most of them will immediately feel embarrassed. Some people will channel this embarrassment into not touching screens anymore and others will take your comment too personally and channel this embarrassment into making your life unpleasant in some way that just isn't worth it.
Re: Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my laptop screen?
#68Wow. I must admit that I'm guilty of being a screen-toucher. It's not out of ignorance or disrespect or anything like that; I've been around computers my whole life. I have no idea why I do it, but I've even done it a couple of seconds after someone asked me not to. I don't get annoyed at all at people when they tell me not to, I get embarrassed and sometimes annoyed at myself for having done it (especially if it's repeated).
Re: Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my laptop screen?
#69I 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 avoid it when I remembered but I frankly don't believe it's a big issue. He'd let a loud annoyed sigh and reach for the cleaner that he kept by his desk and I'd laugh at him.
Your pet peeve is not really my problem.
Your expensive screen is not brittle and will not crack at the slightest touch. It will not melt under the powerful corrosive force of my finger oils. It just makes a little streak. Get over it and carry one of those fuzzy lcd wipey things with you if it bothers you that much.
Anyway, people like me exist. We will annoy you but it's (mostly) unintentional. You can try to point out your annoyance in all sorts of amusing/passive aggressive ways but it's not going to completely work. It's still going to happen. Realize that you're being a bit irrational and get over it.
Re: Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my laptop screen?
#70I 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.
If someone would do this to me, it would make me feel very awkward. I know, it is awkward that someone has touched your screen, but that is no reason to make them feel bad about it too.
I think it is so much more polite to just ask people not to do it again. Just asking them will get the point across and will not make them feel awkward.