What Do People Say To You When You Whip Out That Pen?

[GabrielleDuVent]

Fountain pens are like quills, in that you never see them any more. So what do people say when you whip out that pen to make a memo?

 

I've personally had things from "you think you're classy because you use a weird pen, don't you?" (?!?!?!) to "is that a weapon?". I've only had a few people identify them as fountain pens.

Edited May 31, 2013 by GabrielleDuVent

[pajaro]

I don't think anybody really cares. I'm old, I use old pens.

Edited May 31, 2013 by pajaro

[Namru]

They say nothing. Must be different in the UK or sumin'.

[pencils+pens]

Older people: "I haven't seen one of them in a long time."

 

Younger people: "What's that?"

[Sandy Fry]

I get..."what the hell is that!?" or " the 19th century called and wants their pen back! " or "wow! Can I see it? Can I try it? ".

 

Most younger folks have never seen one up close and most of the older folks I know don't remember using them. Such a shame.

 

David

[yolrgrand]

Nothing

[RuiFromUK]

"What a waste being used by you"

[jar]

Usually nothing.

[GabrielleDuVent]

"What a waste being used by you"

 

Somebody said that to you?!

[pmhudepo]

Usually: nothing.

 

Once: that's a fantastic pen! (Fellow fountain pen user)

[GardenWeasel]

yesterday at credit union..."nice pen!"

[Paddler]

"I haven't seen one of those in a long time."

[Lorna Reed]

I find most people are totally indifferent to pens, and don't even notice.

[sammyboy]

Same here sadly, so far since getting back into using fountain pens and 'nice' pens have had no one make a comment!

[Strombomboli]

"Whow, what a nice pen!" (Lamy 80)

 

and:

 

"I can't use fountain pens, I'd be stained with ink all the time."

 

The last time I heard that, I said: "Just try it" an handed over my Sheaffer Touchdown. The next thing I heard, was: "See?" My friend was right, and when I got home, I took the Touchdown out of my handbag, cleaned it as good as I could, and then put it in the box which has written "Fountain pens" on top.

[NewFPU]

Most people want to know (1) what is that? (2) why am I using it? Being such a techie, it confuses most people.

 

 

Myste

[CharlieTurtle]

I get one of two mostly:

 

1) You know, you might be in the reenactment society, but you can use biros...

 

2) I think your pen is broken

[Lyander0012]

I get one of two mostly:

 

1) You know, you might be in the reenactment society, but you can use biros...

 

2) I think your pen is broken

 

#2 was kinda funny, actually XD

 

Anyway, I get a lot of jibes about being this famous Filipino author (Jose P. Rizal, national hero— he used dip pens and quills though, since fountain pens weren't exactly the norm at the time he was around) whenever people at school see me using a fountain pen. The fact that I have really weird handwriting only strengthens the image.

 

Lots of other people usually compliment me for using them, oddly enough, though I got one instance of someone talking me down for having a fancy "ballpen" (I know, it irritated me to no end).

[GabrielleDuVent]

Am I the only one who got the weapon question? My entire Latin class was firmly convinced that my fountain pen was a knife. I nearly got sent to the headmaster's office. The writing etiquette teacher had to testify that no, I can't stab people with it, and yes, it's a writing instrument (it was a Lamy).

 

The place I got the "whazzat" question the least was Japan and France. I'm seeing more and more of "whazzat" people in the UK... US it's almost a guaranteed question.

[vondauster]

It is kind of surprising to me that, at least in Colorado and California, millennials seem to be almost universally complimentary of my pens, typically when I use them to sign the ubiquitous credit card receipts. When one comments on a pen, I will always give a short description of it and the ink, which at least one time in four gets further questions. In meetings at work I am routinely asked what pen I'm using today. Maybe I am just dealing with a small subset of more inquisitive people, but it is kinda nice and a little bit unexpected.

 

When I was in college, back in the 70s and 80s, people tended to be more dismissive of my pen peculiarities, though I was routinely complimented on my penmanship. Most of my contemporaries typed - or had someone else type - their papers.

 

Retro is cool, at least in places.

 

Will