eReading and restauraunts...

[twowheels]

When I have to work late I often go to this little Mexican restaurant near my work to pick up dinner. I take my Kindle with me to read while I'm waiting and eating. Thing is, it's the type of place where they call your number and you get your own drinks/utensils, etc. I realized that one of the drawbacks to ebooks is that I don't feel comfortable leaving it at my table while I go get my food. With a paper book I figure that the risk and potential loss is low, but with an ereader the equation changes! When reading on my phone I just slip it back in my pocket, but the eReader is too big to do that, so I have to awkwardly tuck it under my arm and try not to drop it...

Anybody ever had an ereader stolen? I assume that many thieves wouldn't know a Kindle from an iPad and just see a slate "computer" and grab it and run.

[kindlekitten]

a couple of things... I kind of went through this whole thought process a couple of weeks ago realizing that the way I act where I live is completely different than most other places. I do not hesitate to get the drinks, utensils, etc with my purse in plain sight here in town. if I were one town north (Bremerton) or two towns south (Tacoma) there is absolutely no way I would do that. so, given that, I have no problem sliding the switch on my kindle, closing my Oberon, tucking it under my arm and going to get whatever I need

[mjhudston]

I often work away from home and this entails staying in hotels and reading in bars etc alone, using my ereader or ipad. I never leave my ipad on the table as its very expensive, but I have a couple of times left my ereader. However I have only*done this at places where I am known and go often, as the staff know me, and on one occasion stopped someone being nosy around my ereader.

since then I haven't left either of them laying around, its just too much of a risk, and wouldn't be covered by my insurance.

[HarryT]

Use your common sense in such matters. Even if the table remains in sight, how long would it take for some miscreant to grab it and "do a runner"?

[Barcey]

I first let everyone see me take it into the restroom with me, then I leave it unattended. It's like my own personal DRM. (I am just kidding)

My jacket cost more then my reader and I have to leave it unattended too. It depends on where I am but I don't have a problem leaving it on the table in the scenario you described. I'm not going to let the fear of having it stolen keep me from taking it with me and enjoying it.

I've got over $1,000 of books on it so I have confidence that the publisher's will track down the evil pirate that steals it.

[wvcherrybomb]

I would never leave my eReader, or anything of value, on an unattended table.

After raising four kids, I am used to juggling multiple items. I have done everything short of balancing things on my head.

[susan_cassidy]

Not to mention that someone could brush against the table, or bump it hard, and the ereader could fall to the floor.

I never leave even a paperback unattended on a table, if I have to go more than 2 steps away from it.

[Worldwalker]

I have a carrying bag for mine. That makes it easy.

[mrkapawutzis]

I rarely leave my ereader unattended but then again I have a sony model and that set me back a pretty penny or two. I just settle for the inconvenience of carrying it under my arm to get something or go to the bathroom unless the table is right next to the condiment stand in that case I'll leave it there.

[Bilbo1967]

I travel alone pretty regularly and always take my reader when I go to eat or visit a pub if I haven't met a colleague. I would never dream of leaving it unattended. I know that probably 9 times out of 10 (or even more) it would be fine, but I just don't see the point of risking it for the very minor inconvenience of tucking it under my arm.

[FF2]

The original comparison is something I've been considering. I'd pretty much leave a paperback on a table by the side of a swimming pool. Or at a picnic table at a campground and probably leave it showing in a car at a trailhead. I've also left my book inside my tent.

I will have to reconsider these actions with a "BOOK" that costs more than $100 and contains the entire vacation's reading contents.

[SeaBookGuy]

I would never leave it on the table (bar) for any reason - period!

I might leave it in my coat pocket if I were going to the buffet, and could keep an eye on my table; I seriously doubt I'd leave it in my pocket (or bag) during a restroom trip, unless I were fairly certain that no one (other than staff at a place I trust) else knew it was there. Ditto netbook.

Theft issue aside, I'm not that keen on e-reading in restaurants. However, not long ago I saw a woman at the bar with her nook propped up against a tall glass of ice water reading away as she lunched.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by mjhudston

I often work away from home and this entails staying in hotels and reading in bars etc alone, using my ereader or ipad.

Alone? Oh, that's so sad. You know, you can rent companionship for a few hours.

[silasgreenback]

After some of the ridiculous things I've had stolen, I plan to leave my ereader at home. The only other place I might foresee taking it would be the library for wifi if I were to have my internet subscription cut off.

For waiting rooms and whatnot, I'll still be sticking to paperbacks, crosswords, or magazines.

[v1k1ng1001]

Just bought my first ereader so I'll have to give this some thought now. I'm used to leaving my books unattended because, let's face it, no one wants to steal the boring stuff that I like to read.