Attitudes?

besca147 · 01-14-2009, 11:13 AM

I was wondering... has anyone read in public yet, say in the break room at work or whatever? If so, what have people's attitudes been towards your e-reader? Positive? Negative?

I mean, it's bad enough reading a paper book at work and having someone pull a face at your preferred reading material just because it doesn't suit them, not to mention interrupting your quality reading time when they do so, so I wondered if it was any worse/better with the e-reader.

lilac_jive · 01-14-2009, 11:16 AM

All the time! The only negative attitude I get is "You read? Weirdo." But since no one can see what I'm reading, nobody heckles me about my reading material.

I do get a lot of people genuinely interested in the device.

BookishDreamer · 01-14-2009, 11:33 AM

I read in restaurants all the time. The response is very positive, mainly because its a device they've never seen. I also live in a college town where most of the wait staff are students who have to read for class. I get the typical questions..."What's that?" "What are you reading?" "Where can I get one?" In most cases, if I tell them what book I'm reading, they've never heard of it. Not surprising. I can't really compare my experience to life before my Reader because I didn't take my big unwieldy books into restaurants.

Dreamer

grooks · 01-14-2009, 11:58 AM

I read during lunch almost everyday. Most people look at the device but don't ask questions. Those that do ask questions either don't know what it is or ask if it's a Kindle. I enlighten them that there are other devices besides the Kindle. I usually don't get put off when people interrupt me to ask questions.

MickeyC · 01-14-2009, 12:26 PM

One of the things I like about eBook readers is that I can slip in a chapter or two at work and no one can see that I'm reading a book. To them it looks like and appointment calendar or the like.

rlparker · 01-14-2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassidym

One of the things I like about eBook readers is that I can slip in a chapter or two at work and no one can see that I'm reading a book. To them it looks like and appointment calendar or the like.

ooh, so you have a devious streak, eh?

Seabound · 01-14-2009, 04:16 PM

Recently, I had my quite recently acquired PRS-505 with me for the first time on a trip. The very nice lady I was sitting next to on the plane saw me reading it (though I was trying to be discreet). After a while, I guess she was too curious to stay quiet anymore and started asking me questions about the reader. She was smart but had not heard of electronic readers before (no, not even the Kindle). She was so intrigued by it that I wish I had come prepared with a memorized "script" so I would not have missed saying anything important and relevant about ebooks and ebook readers. Nevertheless, we had a nice conversation.

narbeauchamp · 01-14-2009, 04:53 PM

Most often,the attitudes are overwhelmingly positive-although the other day I explained it to someone and they asked "why wouldn't you just buy a book",however said person isn't necessarily the brightest bulb.

I have used mine everywhere-at work,the gym,at a bar/restaurant,coffeeshop-and overall get VERY positive reactions,and usually inquiries.

So far one of my favorite reactions was from a stewardess on a plane,she thought it was great we had matching readers (although she assumed he'd acquired them for us....)-and then she asked us what they were -so I gave my little description-she came by several times to talk about it,and was interested in getting one...I often wonder if she ever did.

HistoryWes · 01-14-2009, 05:18 PM

The standard question I get is: "what is that?" I've only encountered two people who knew what it was that I had in my hand.

The rest of the conversation goes like this.

Me: It's a book.

Them: What book is it?

Me: All of them.

besca147 · 01-14-2009, 05:52 PM

Thank you all for sharing your experiences. I'm glad that you've received a positive reception.

I guess I'm quite anxious after being exposed to some negative people who would pull a face at whatever book I'm reading that I'm assuming they'll do just the same with my library.

I have to say, I love this:-

Quote:

Me: It's a book.

Them: What book is it?

Me: All of them.

Elsi · 01-14-2009, 05:54 PM

Even before I bought my first electronic reader, I carried a book with me at all times. I also carry a flashlight at all times -- and it was not unusual to see me reading a book during the commercials and previews in the movie theater waiting for the main feature to begin. I've never worried about people making a judgment based on what I am reading, though I was aware that I could get a plastic or fabric cover for my books if I cared about keeping the titles private.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BookishDreamer

I read in restaurants all the time. The response is very positive, mainly because its a device they've never seen. I also live in a college town where most of the wait staff are students who have to read for class. I get the typical questions..."What's that?" "What are you reading?" "Where can I get one?" In most cases, if I tell them what book I'm reading, they've never heard of it. Not surprising. I can't really compare my experience to life before my Reader because I didn't take my big unwieldy books into restaurants.

A restaurant is one of my favorite places to read. I usually ask for an additional silverware/napkin bundle and use it as a prop to hold the book reader tipped up and just a little bit easier to read than laying flat on the table. That way I have both hand free to read. With a paper book, I'd typically use a spare knife as a weight to hold the book open while I read.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassidym

One of the things I like about eBook readers is that I can slip in a chapter or two at work and no one can see that I'm reading a book. To them it looks like and appointment calendar or the like.

Ah now. The Sony and Kindle still look too much like a book, particularly with the covers on. So I use my Blackberry for stealth reading. I keep one SF book (from Baen) loaded on the Blackberry and slip in a chapter or two with no one the wiser. To them, it looks like I'm checking my messages or e-mail.

On yesterday's flight from Hartford to Dallas, I wound up talking about my readers with two fellow passengers. I was reading on the Sony at the time and got to demonstrate the lightwedge cover and how it makes it easy to read in the dark. Finished that book (Mars Girl) en route, so put the Sony reader away and pulled out the Kindle so I could start Dragon Bones by Patricia Briggs. I didn't get the sense that either person was ready to dash out and buy a reader, but both acknowledged that they're a good idea.

ShortNCuddlyAm · 01-14-2009, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elsi

So I use my Blackberry for stealth reading. I keep one SF book (from Baen) loaded on the Blackberry and slip in a chapter or two with no one the wiser. To them, it looks like I'm checking my messages or e-mail.

As I'm sure I've seen one or two other people admit to doing this too, I'm now beginning to wonder if the people I've seen who don't seem able to tear themselves away from their blackberrys (in the queue for the toilet, for example!!) were actually checking their mail, or reading a book!

Laserjock · 01-18-2009, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShortNCuddlyAm

As I'm sure I've seen one or two other people admit to doing this too, I'm now beginning to wonder if the people I've seen who don't seem able to tear themselves away from their blackberrys (in the queue for the toilet, for example!!) were actually checking their mail, or reading a book!

I have an iPhone with a free ebook reader called Stanza. I read with it every chance I get (yes, even in the loo!). I duplicated my Sony ebooks onto the iPhone. Before the iPhone and Stanza I used iSilo on a Palm Treo. I tried a free Blackberry Curve for a little while before buying the iPhone; I hated the Blackberry, I couldn't find a reader app for it. I've got my priorities!

-Laserjock-

HistoryWes · 01-18-2009, 04:50 AM

I guess I've never really cared what anybody thought about what I was reading. I was reading today at the doctor's office and a woman asked me "is that a bible?" I had on the black lighted case. I just said "no."

MickeyC · 01-18-2009, 07:23 AM

My wife and I were on vacation earlier this month and lounging on the beach when I noticed this guy, a few beach chairs away, reading a James Rollins paperback. So, since I've never read Rollins, I wandered over and asked him how he liked it.

"Great", he said, "and I love being on vacation like this. I read damn near a book a day. In fact, I damn near needed a second suitcase to carry them all."

"You need an eBook reader", I told him

"What's that?", he asked

So, I explained it and showed him my Sony 505. And he was over the moon!

"Man, that's my two favorite things in life, toys and books, combined into one. I am getting one of those the minute we get back home! Thank you"

A while later, he and his wife wandered off. But he came back a couple of hours later and thanked me again for showing him the Sony. Then he told me he'd just finished reading the Rollins book and handed it to me.

01-14-2009, 11:13 AM	#1
besca147 Member Posts: 18 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK Device: Sony PRS-505	Attitudes? I was wondering... has anyone read in public yet, say in the break room at work or whatever? If so, what have people's attitudes been towards your e-reader? Positive? Negative? I mean, it's bad enough reading a paper book at work and having someone pull a face at your preferred reading material just because it doesn't suit them, not to mention interrupting your quality reading time when they do so, so I wondered if it was any worse/better with the e-reader.

01-14-2009, 11:16 AM	#2
lilac_jive Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,870 Karma: 27376 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Device: PRS-505	All the time! The only negative attitude I get is "You read? Weirdo." But since no one can see what I'm reading, nobody heckles me about my reading material. I do get a lot of people genuinely interested in the device.

01-14-2009, 11:33 AM	#3
BookishDreamer Cultural Artist Posts: 1,128 Karma: 12829 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Georgia Device: Sony 505, Kindle 2	I read in restaurants all the time. The response is very positive, mainly because its a device they've never seen. I also live in a college town where most of the wait staff are students who have to read for class. I get the typical questions..."What's that?" "What are you reading?" "Where can I get one?" In most cases, if I tell them what book I'm reading, they've never heard of it. Not surprising. I can't really compare my experience to life before my Reader because I didn't take my big unwieldy books into restaurants. Dreamer

01-14-2009, 11:58 AM	#4
grooks Wizard Posts: 1,326 Karma: 30250 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fort Myers, FL Device: Pocketbook Era, Kobo Forma	I read during lunch almost everyday. Most people look at the device but don't ask questions. Those that do ask questions either don't know what it is or ask if it's a Kindle. I enlighten them that there are other devices besides the Kindle. I usually don't get put off when people interrupt me to ask questions.

01-14-2009, 12:26 PM	#5
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,731 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	One of the things I like about eBook readers is that I can slip in a chapter or two at work and no one can see that I'm reading a book. To them it looks like and appointment calendar or the like.

01-14-2009, 04:16 PM	#7
Seabound Steerage Class Posts: 711 Karma: 505995 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pacific Northwest, USA Device: Won't fit here anymore, see sig for a list of liseuses.	Recently, I had my quite recently acquired PRS-505 with me for the first time on a trip. The very nice lady I was sitting next to on the plane saw me reading it (though I was trying to be discreet). After a while, I guess she was too curious to stay quiet anymore and started asking me questions about the reader. She was smart but had not heard of electronic readers before (no, not even the Kindle). She was so intrigued by it that I wish I had come prepared with a memorized "script" so I would not have missed saying anything important and relevant about ebooks and ebook readers. Nevertheless, we had a nice conversation.

01-14-2009, 04:53 PM	#8
narbeauchamp Groupie Posts: 170 Karma: 98 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New York,NY Device: PRS700BC/PRS505/TZ350N/MacBook/Aspire One/iPad/iPhone/BB 9630	Most often,the attitudes are overwhelmingly positive-although the other day I explained it to someone and they asked "why wouldn't you just buy a book",however said person isn't necessarily the brightest bulb. I have used mine everywhere-at work,the gym,at a bar/restaurant,coffeeshop-and overall get VERY positive reactions,and usually inquiries. So far one of my favorite reactions was from a stewardess on a plane,she thought it was great we had matching readers (although she assumed he'd acquired them for us....)-and then she asked us what they were -so I gave my little description-she came by several times to talk about it,and was interested in getting one...I often wonder if she ever did.

01-14-2009, 05:18 PM	#9
HistoryWes Teacher/Novelist Posts: 632 Karma: 2274466 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Nevada Device: Nook STR, iPad	The standard question I get is: "what is that?" I've only encountered two people who knew what it was that I had in my hand. The rest of the conversation goes like this. Me: It's a book. Them: What book is it? Me: All of them.

01-18-2009, 04:50 AM	#14
HistoryWes Teacher/Novelist Posts: 632 Karma: 2274466 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Nevada Device: Nook STR, iPad	I guess I've never really cared what anybody thought about what I was reading. I was reading today at the doctor's office and a woman asked me "is that a bible?" I had on the black lighted case. I just said "no."

01-18-2009, 07:23 AM	#15
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,731 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	My wife and I were on vacation earlier this month and lounging on the beach when I noticed this guy, a few beach chairs away, reading a James Rollins paperback. So, since I've never read Rollins, I wandered over and asked him how he liked it. "Great", he said, "and I love being on vacation like this. I read damn near a book a day. In fact, I damn near needed a second suitcase to carry them all." "You need an eBook reader", I told him "What's that?", he asked So, I explained it and showed him my Sony 505. And he was over the moon! "Man, that's my two favorite things in life, toys and books, combined into one. I am getting one of those the minute we get back home! Thank you" A while later, he and his wife wandered off. But he came back a couple of hours later and thanked me again for showing him the Sony. Then he told me he'd just finished reading the Rollins book and handed it to me.

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