Here's what I do when I'm the one on the computer:

If I feel that someone next to me is looking over my shoulder, I write on my screen:

"Note to the guy next to me on this plane, STOP READING MY STUFF."

If the guy next to me is reading it, he will get the picture. If not, no harm done!

And if I found what you were doing interesting enough, I would not acknowledge that I saw that at all and continue peeking making you think I am not reading it. Two can play this game. :)

But seriously, this is an interesting problem having been on either side. There are times when I don't want neighbors peeking in at my laptop and there are times when I have looked at the screen of my neighbor more by my fidgety nature than anything else.

The fact is that if my neighbor is using the laptop, I don't want to be constrained by keeping my head always turned away just because there is visible material. In flights, I tend to keep changing my head position often to prevent cramps. So if your laptop happens to be in that direction, tough. I have never tried to intentionally peek at anyone's screen to read but in most cases, it is impossible to not absorb some of what is on the screen. And this does make people uncomfortable.

From using the laptop myself, I have never actually seen anyone trying to read from the screen with sustained interest in the screen (except perhaps when I am playing DVDs and even that out of boredom since they cannot hear any sound). However, any one even casually glancing at the screen may absorb certain things that I would rather no one did. The reality is there is no way I can expect that level of privacy in an aircraft cabin but I find any intentional and persistent attempts to continue to read obtrusive and no different than someone trying to read the paper or magazine that you are trying to read.

Bottom line, I do only those things on the laptop in flight for which I have no problems with anyone not seeing it. And I don't get upset if someone appears to be casually looking at it as opposed to continually peeking at it.

I think privacy protectors that limit the angle is a very good idea and the only solution to this problem.

" I am so sorry sir, I would never have looked if I knew that you were writing a letter to your former lover about your erectile diysfunction and lack of um... stature." ;)

If you really want to read other people's stuff, wear some sun glasses so that they can't tell where your eyes are looking.

That was me you were sitting next to , Quit lookin at my chit or im gonna kick your A$$..........


Just Kiddin, i just had to say something :)

this is a great thread...

during most of my flights last year, i was in my final year of architecture school. as we constantly have design projects, i would always be frantically working on autocad, photoshop, or some other 3d modeling program on the plane (have to catch up before studio tomorrow!). it's funny how, when you're working on a text document, people want to "respect your privacy." i experienced nothing of the sort. i can't tell you how many times people tapped me on the shoulder asking what i was working on, or what kind of building i was designing. this happened in PC's, too. i guess building designs aren't as personal as random text documents (as an architecture student, let me tell you, those designs are VERY personal!).

I can not tell you how often this has happened to me -- I am a lighting designer (yes, it's an actual job!), and people love to ask about CAD and what I'm doing and if I went to school for it. As I enjoy distraction, this isn't a problem per say -- the fact that anyone would give a hoot about my job makes me happy, and as I love talking about myself it provides that opportunity as well!

However, what I do find a bit weird is when I'm wearing headphones and people start asking questions about the drawings; I need to take the headphones off, engage in banalities and miss out on whatever rocking tunes I was listening to. Now THAT'S rude!

My nicname for his Grandmother! :D

Da*n spelling stupidity. :p

What's wrong with reading someone's magazine article?
 

Reading a magazine or newspaper next to you is "rude" only in the sense that looking at other elevator riders is rude. It's a social convention, observed more by some than by others.

No harm is done to the person whose magazine is read "over his shoulder" -- actually right in front of him, slightly to the side. Nothing is taken from him. There is no reasonable expection of privacy when reading in public, three inches away from a seatmate. At least not in a free, democratic society.

As an ancient expression goes, "A cat may look at a king." Those who take umbrage at being looked at, or their magazines read, are indicating a fundamentally selfish attitude toward the rest of humanity.

Now asking the magazine owner not to turn the page until you have finished is indeed potentially infringing on his rights. :D

Confidential work on the plane? Better planning needed. If it's very important you shouldn't do it on a plane, Starbucks, etc. It is unreasonable to tell people where they can and can't look.

If you don't want the possibility of people seeing your screen either don't work on the plane or invest in a device that can help shield your screen.

I would told him. "It's okay, I work for your competitor and we already have information on your confidential projects. :D


I understand complaints about people's bodies spilling into the next seat, but peoples eyes????

Gezzzz....
 

I agree, if the work is so sensative, don't do it in Public. That and lets be realistic about human qualities... People are always interested in what else is going on, people tend to have a sense of whats going on around them... of course people are going to glance and look, I highly doubt that guy has never not glanced at someone elses work or whatever...

-Vincent

Laptop etiquette
 

I agree he was out of line. I was also on a flight where the person behind me was hitting their keys so hard it was rattling my seat. We're all in a tight space and have to be considerate - on both sides!