Do you ever feel like hiding your reader?

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by Hellmark

I hide mine sometimes, but that's because I am reading at work or in class when I shouldn't really be.

Ok, that's the only valid reason to hide it...

[Ivy]

Maybe it's just because of where I'm living. eReaders are really not popular here... not unheard of really, but nowhere near popular. And if anyone's heard of it, they ask: "Hey, that's Kindle, right?"

[wvcherrybomb]

Originally Posted by Tome Keeper

For example I take pbooks camping all the time but wouldn't do that with my Kindle

My Kindle goes camping all the time. It goes just about everywhere else I go too. I've never thought of hiding it.

[faithbw]

I don't hide mine. I've read it on mass transit and other public places and no one seems to notice. I've even read it in B&N without one person noticing. The only time anyone ever asked me about it was when I got a five hour blood glucose tolerance test done and an older woman waiting to get blood work done asked me about it. She asked if it was "one of those e-readers", if it was easy to use and it the text could be adjusted. I answered her questions and she seemed interested in maybe getting one.

I actually like reading with it in public but alas, no one really seems to care, not even enough to ask "is that a Kindle?"

[Tome Keeper]

Originally Posted by wvcherrybomb

My Kindle goes camping all the time. It goes just about everywhere else I go too. I've never thought of hiding it.

I took mine camping just after I got it. Managed to drop it and the back casing came off, got it back on but it's still a bit iffy So won't risk it again, knowing my lucky it will either get soaked or dropped.

[Poppaea]

I take mine whereever I go. And I use it everywhere: at the doctors, the dentist, in the tube, in my break, on the park bench... you name it. That's what I bought it for and that's how I use it.

Two or three times people asked me, if it is a "Kindle" or if it is nice to read, but thats about it. I don't get more or less stares than without it.

[SeaBookGuy]

Even with its very spiffy bright red Oberon case, I've never had anyone notice it at all!

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by Tome Keeper

I think the purpose of me getting one was so the other half wouldn't have to carry bags full of heavy books to and from the library

I do get your point but at least in my life that's not how it works. For example I take pbooks camping all the time but wouldn't do that with my Kindle, so don't have an issue with not using my e-reader everywhere, when I don't have my Kindle out I have the Kindle app on my phone, so I still have an e-reader, just a more inconspicuous one.

I'm sure the situation will change in the next few years as e-readers become more common I will become more comfortable, but at the moment I live somewhere that still thinks the internet and especially broadband is some strange new fangeled thing.

camping was one of the reasons I DID get a kindle! that and a lot of traveling. I'm constantly being asked about it, but then again, I think I have a target on me as I am the ONE person that the airline attendants will get to help out with other travelers that need help, the ferry people tag me to help those that are handicapped in some way, children traveling alone and so on. I' m not sure what the deal is, my kids used to call it my "weird radar". as in; "if something weird is going to happen, it will happen right around Mom"

[RainingLemur]

Not at all. If anything, I get the occasional question as to what I'm using. Then I get to play educator and hopefully spur someone else into joining the ranks of the ereader army.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Ivy

Hello all.

I've noticed something in my behaviour and I just wanted to see if there's anyone here with the same attitude. I love my reader, it follows me wherever I go and we even sleep together. You get the picture.

But sometimes... it's like I'm a little bit ashamed to be seen with it. Crowded places like the university or public transport make me want to hide it and try to use it inconspicuously, which is hard, since it's metallic red.

People in Croatia don't really use readers and just having one attracts looks. Some people recognize it for what it is, some have never heard of such a thing. I feel like I'm trying to be a show off for using it in public, which I know is stupid, since I would be reading a book there without any problems... but still.


Anybody having the same "problem" or it's just me?

I totally understand. I'm old and I grew up in a time and a place where most people did not have extra money. Flashing something different and relatively expensive was consider poor form. Tacky. Showing off. It was rude. It's hard to explain but I do understand.

Even today, if someone asks me what something cost I tend to downplay the cost. Oh, around $100 in the U.S. Actually, to get my Kindle here in Mexico cost me almost $200.

[jocampo]

Originally Posted by Ivy

Hello all.

I've noticed something in my behaviour and I just wanted to see if there's anyone here with the same attitude. I love my reader, it follows me wherever I go and we even sleep together. You get the picture.

But sometimes... it's like I'm a little bit ashamed to be seen with it. Crowded places like the university or public transport make me want to hide it and try to use it inconspicuously, which is hard, since it's metallic red.

People in Croatia don't really use readers and just having one attracts looks. Some people recognize it for what it is, some have never heard of such a thing. I feel like I'm trying to be a show off for using it in public, which I know is stupid, since I would be reading a book there without any problems... but still.


Anybody having the same "problem" or it's just me?

I hear you, it happens to me. In my opinion, it depends of the country and let me explain.

I live at USA, and my wife is american, but I'm latin. When I travel to South America, people look at me weird. The culture there is that very expensive electronic devices, like cellphones, some people use them to "pretend". I don't know if I am explaining myself very well. Of course, is not all the time, but I can understand; the Kindle's price is basically a half or full month salary in some countries, including mine. I guess that I consider myself blessed for what I have.

[Figlilly]

I read my Kindle on the bus or waiting for friends in a restaurant - I am always early and they are always late. No-one has ever commented on it or even seemed to notice. My fellow citizens tend to be reserved anyway so I am not surprised. I do sing its praises to my friends and work colleagues and have made quite a few converts. I do get tired of the old 'prefer the smell of/feel of a book'. Why do people suppose it is one or the other?
I do understand not wanting to draw attention to yourself especially if it would be seen to be showing off.

[wvcherrybomb]

Originally Posted by Tome Keeper

I took mine camping just after I got it. Managed to drop it and the back casing came off, got it back on but it's still a bit iffy So won't risk it again, knowing my lucky it will either get soaked or dropped.

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Glad you Kindle is still working! I used to keep mine in a Ziploc on the beach but recently bought a waterproof case that I love. It came with a lanyard so you can't drop it either. I'm old enough to not care about the geek factor.

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

camping was one of the reasons I DID get a kindle!

Me too. We are frequent campers and it is so nice to not have to pack along heavy books.

[J. Strnad]

Originally Posted by Tome Keeper

I do the same thing, for two reasons really, one I don't want it stolen and where I live it would be seen as a good item to steal and sell on and two, when I once took it into work to read all I got were comments about "oh, it's not like reading a proper book", "it's not good for your eyes" and "isn't that a bit posh". I now just take in my phone and read books on that.

Why do you care what other people say or think about your reader? As my mother used to say when I whined about my sister teasing me, "Just consider the source."

[FizzyWater]

Hide it? Heck no!

In fact, I prosletize to anyone who looks at it with any curiosity or longing.