Took my Kindle out in public for the first time today - Page 2

kevindorsey · 03-07-2009, 11:22 PM

Most people approve of the little device.

fugazied · 03-07-2009, 11:45 PM

I've had a couple of people approach me about it. I think some older people are unsure exactly what it is at first.

I gave a demonstration to my grandmother how it worked, she was pretty impressed when told her how many books it could hold!

HarryT · 03-08-2009, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRoss

Anyway, not ten minutes into my meal, a guy at the next table turned around, saw my Kindle, and said "Oh, COOL" and proceeded to grill me about it. What was it, how did it work, where did I buy my books, how long did it hold a charge, etc... He was very impressed and told me he was going to start researching e-readers for himself as soon as he got home that night.

How things do differ in different countries. Here in the UK it would be regarded as astonishingly rude to interrupt someone while they were eating in a restaurant - a real "invasion of privacy".

sirbruce · 03-08-2009, 09:53 AM

It's rude in the US too, but you just say "excuse me, sorry to barge in", etc. and you can usually get away with it if you've got good reason to interrupt.

Another thing different in the US: Although a lot of people are open to talking politics, many people find it rude to ask them directly which candidate they voted for. Or they'll just simply refuse to tell you. Even though you could probably guess.

Elsi · 03-08-2009, 11:45 AM

Harry -- I'd say that the rudeness is situational. My observation from numerous visits to the UK is that the majority of meals are eaten in the home and eating in a restaurant is rather infrequent. Whereas in the US, there are many people who "eat out" much more frequently. So, in the US, it would be extremely rude -- and just not done -- to chat up someone in a high-end restaurant. But in the middle-of-the road or fast-food places, it can be quite acceptable to *ask* someone if you can talk with them just a moment. To some extent, a middle-of-the-road restaurant lends itself to a much more casual behavior, maybe like-unto that you see in a pub in England. People don't seem to be reluctant to start a conversation with someone in a pub, even if they're eating a meal there.

dmaul1114 · 03-08-2009, 11:46 AM

Yeah I got asked about mine 3 times on a 20 minute subway ride back from picking it up on Thursday (bought a used K1 off Craigslist).

They definitely draw attention.

RickyMaveety · 03-08-2009, 12:02 PM

Interesting. I've never considered people who have interrupted my meal to ask me a question to be rude. I suppose it would depend on the question, and the approach as well.

I've met a number of famous authors by walking up to their table in a restaurant, asking if they would mind a small interruption, and if they say "no, go right ahead" I then tell them about how much I love their books.

I met Ray Bradbury that way, Joseph Wambaugh, Stephen King ....

If they say they would prefer to have their meal in private ... I walk away and stay the hell away so they can finish their meal ... in private.

People come up to me all the time to ask me about either (1) what I'm eating (because I often have the chef prepare me something that is not on the menu, and people are confused when they see me eating something that isn't showing up on the list that is put in front of them) and/or (2) some new gadget that I'm using.

I just always look at it as an opportunity to meet someone new and discuss something of interest to me.

Which reminds me of the day I walked into one of my favorite restaurants and the owner presented me with their newest menu, which now had a column entitled "Ricky's Selections" ... with all of the items that I liked made the way I liked .... and on the lunch menu, the time of day I liked to eat there.

Wandered off topic again there, didn't I?? Eh, I can still blame it on the drugs for a few days.

catsittingstill · 03-08-2009, 12:51 PM

:-) I've been asked about my Kindle a few times. I always enjoy showing it off.

demoric · 03-08-2009, 01:45 PM

I take my kindle to me to work everyday. I have had many different people ask about it. Everyone seems to really like it until they ask how much it costs.

Most people seem to think its too much for them, but then again they're not avid readers. There have been a couple that thought the kindle would be a bargain when buying books at the reduced cost, and like the ease of carrying around so much literature.

ChaseKR · 03-08-2009, 06:51 PM

It seems like you're having an experience similar to when I took my 1st generation iPod out back in the day. It's natural to be curious about electronics; aren't we all?

detacht69 · 03-08-2009, 08:41 PM

Sooooo am I the only one wondering what you thought about Watchmen?

dsip · 03-08-2009, 08:52 PM

Haha
I can't wait to get an e-book reader, but in all honesty.. people asking about it would (will?) probably annoy me pretty soon..

krisk · 03-09-2009, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by detacht69

Sooooo am I the only one wondering what you thought about Watchmen?

THis might do better in the lounge.

HarryT · 03-09-2009, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elsi

Harry -- I'd say that the rudeness is situational. My observation from numerous visits to the UK is that the majority of meals are eaten in the home and eating in a restaurant is rather infrequent. Whereas in the US, there are many people who "eat out" much more frequently. So, in the US, it would be extremely rude -- and just not done -- to chat up someone in a high-end restaurant. But in the middle-of-the road or fast-food places, it can be quite acceptable to *ask* someone if you can talk with them just a moment. To some extent, a middle-of-the-road restaurant lends itself to a much more casual behavior, maybe like-unto that you see in a pub in England. People don't seem to be reluctant to start a conversation with someone in a pub, even if they're eating a meal there.

That's a good analogy, Elsi. No, you are absolutely right - it's fine to strike up a conversation with someone in a pub

.

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03-07-2009, 11:22 PM	#16
kevindorsey Evangelist Posts: 488 Karma: 258 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: kindle	Most people approve of the little device.

03-07-2009, 11:45 PM	#17
fugazied Wizard Posts: 1,305 Karma: 1958 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: iPod Touch	I've had a couple of people approach me about it. I think some older people are unsure exactly what it is at first. I gave a demonstration to my grandmother how it worked, she was pretty impressed when told her how many books it could hold!

03-08-2009, 09:53 AM	#19
sirbruce Provocateur Posts: 1,859 Karma: 505847 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Columbus, OH Device: Kindle Touch, Kindle 2, Kindle DX, iPhone 3GS	It's rude in the US too, but you just say "excuse me, sorry to barge in", etc. and you can usually get away with it if you've got good reason to interrupt. Another thing different in the US: Although a lot of people are open to talking politics, many people find it rude to ask them directly which candidate they voted for. Or they'll just simply refuse to tell you. Even though you could probably guess.

03-08-2009, 11:45 AM	#20
Elsi Wizard Posts: 2,366 Karma: 12000 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas, USA Device: Kindle; Sony PRS 505; Blackberry 8700C	Harry -- I'd say that the rudeness is situational. My observation from numerous visits to the UK is that the majority of meals are eaten in the home and eating in a restaurant is rather infrequent. Whereas in the US, there are many people who "eat out" much more frequently. So, in the US, it would be extremely rude -- and just not done -- to chat up someone in a high-end restaurant. But in the middle-of-the road or fast-food places, it can be quite acceptable to ask someone if you can talk with them just a moment. To some extent, a middle-of-the-road restaurant lends itself to a much more casual behavior, maybe like-unto that you see in a pub in England. People don't seem to be reluctant to start a conversation with someone in a pub, even if they're eating a meal there.

03-08-2009, 11:46 AM	#21
dmaul1114 Wizard Posts: 2,300 Karma: 1121709 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Amazon Kindle 1	Yeah I got asked about mine 3 times on a 20 minute subway ride back from picking it up on Thursday (bought a used K1 off Craigslist). They definitely draw attention.

03-08-2009, 12:02 PM	#22
RickyMaveety Holy S**T!!! Posts: 5,213 Karma: 108401 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Diego, California!! Device: Kindle and iPad	Interesting. I've never considered people who have interrupted my meal to ask me a question to be rude. I suppose it would depend on the question, and the approach as well. I've met a number of famous authors by walking up to their table in a restaurant, asking if they would mind a small interruption, and if they say "no, go right ahead" I then tell them about how much I love their books. I met Ray Bradbury that way, Joseph Wambaugh, Stephen King .... If they say they would prefer to have their meal in private ... I walk away and stay the hell away so they can finish their meal ... in private. People come up to me all the time to ask me about either (1) what I'm eating (because I often have the chef prepare me something that is not on the menu, and people are confused when they see me eating something that isn't showing up on the list that is put in front of them) and/or (2) some new gadget that I'm using. I just always look at it as an opportunity to meet someone new and discuss something of interest to me. Which reminds me of the day I walked into one of my favorite restaurants and the owner presented me with their newest menu, which now had a column entitled "Ricky's Selections" ... with all of the items that I liked made the way I liked .... and on the lunch menu, the time of day I liked to eat there. Wandered off topic again there, didn't I?? Eh, I can still blame it on the drugs for a few days.

03-08-2009, 12:51 PM	#23
catsittingstill Guru Posts: 643 Karma: 551634 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle 1.0.8, iPod Touch, Kindle Keyboard	:-) I've been asked about my Kindle a few times. I always enjoy showing it off.

03-08-2009, 01:45 PM	#24
demoric Kindle 2 User Posts: 98 Karma: 496 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: S.E. Kansas Device: Kindle 2	I take my kindle to me to work everyday. I have had many different people ask about it. Everyone seems to really like it until they ask how much it costs. Most people seem to think its too much for them, but then again they're not avid readers. There have been a couple that thought the kindle would be a bargain when buying books at the reduced cost, and like the ease of carrying around so much literature.

03-08-2009, 06:51 PM	#25
ChaseKR Connoisseur Posts: 85 Karma: 12 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Kindle 4 Touch, iPad 1 3G	It seems like you're having an experience similar to when I took my 1st generation iPod out back in the day. It's natural to be curious about electronics; aren't we all?

03-08-2009, 08:41 PM	#26
detacht69 Still Amazing-Only Better Posts: 45 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Howston, TX Device: New K3 Owner	Sooooo am I the only one wondering what you thought about Watchmen?

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03-08-2009, 08:52 PM	#27
dsip Connoisseur Posts: 77 Karma: 495694 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Between Devices..	Haha I can't wait to get an e-book reader, but in all honesty.. people asking about it would (will?) probably annoy me pretty soon..