
I was at a movie screening, and a critic next to me had his/her laptop open (keepin' it vague on purpose!). The seats in this particular theater are REALLY close together, and I found it pretty much impossible not to glance over at the glowing screen just inches away. An email program was front and center. I quickly scanned the "From" column (and saw a lot of names I recognized, too...) and the "Subject" column. I even peeked at a message my colleague was writing.
This is not the first time I've done such a thing. In fact, I don't remember having been in a situation where someone's laptop is right in my face and I HAVEN'T checked out what that person's working on. In airport lounges, on airplanes, on trains, in cafes and coffee shops -- there are tons of opportunities to take a look-see at others' work. Sometimes I've come to regret doing so -- like when a fellow traveler's watching an ultra-violent movie while seated next to me on a flight. Ooh, I didn't really want to see that guy get stabbed in the neck. Now I can't UNsee it. Crap.

"Here, have my son's juice box!" the lady offered. I took it. The kid stared at me, wide-eyed.
"Are you going to be OK?" the mom asked. I nodded, but before she headed on her way, she called a policeman over to ensure I would be able to stand.

Obviously I didn't learn my lesson, though.
So does anyone else out there do this sort of thing -- read over others' shoulders... peek at nearby laptops... glance at documents someone else is reviewing? Please tell me I'm not the only one. Isn't this sort of curiosity just ingrained in our nature?
- e

Great post e. The final image --the laptop sock--got a big belly laugh from me. Nice pull!
ReplyDeleteI'm shameless as well at peaking on other people's devices and am always disappointed, nothing juicy. I do wish public info sharing was more common (or less skeevey) because I invite feedback and often wonder who in a crowd might want to read my drivel or recap an article I just read that has my brain all wrinkly.
Unintended sharing episode: When my wife and I were sprinting through the Sopranos dvds from season 1 to the blank wtf ending, we had our laptop and dual headphones going on a flight. We completely forgot how graphic some of the sex (and murder) scenes were until the third passenger in our section got up to use the bathroom and a trio of guys were not so subtle in watching from behind us in the aisle our public porn we had on fuill display. Whoops. But if HBO soft porn keeps terrorists from rushing the cockpit, well, I'm not sorry.
I do this all the time on the Metro in DC. It's amazing how much Classified/Confidential stuff gets read out in the open on the Metro.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure this is rude of me, but if you don't want me reading your stuff, don't let me see it.