Author Topic: Vintage typewriter in a coffeeshop--- rude?  (Read 1451 times)

Nikko-chan

Vintage typewriter in a coffeeshop--- rude?
« on: October 01, 2020, 07:10:12 pm »
So I am in a writing facebook group and one of the people there made a post, asking if it was a social faux pas to bring a vintage typewriter into a coffeeshop to write on. she "feels it adds to the ambiance" and in the post she defended herself by saying "Mostly everyone has airpods on"

Also in the post was a picture of her with the typewriter in question, in the coffeeshop in question, grinning away at the camera.

Consensus among everyone was that she was being really pretentious, and that she was only seeking attention and validation. When someone said "You can always bring just pen and paper if you want to go lo tech!" she was like "But I don't like pen and paper!"

So what do the Brimstoners think? Rude to bring a vintage typewriter that might make loud noises to a cafe? or perfectly acceptable? Pretentious? Not pretentious?

eta the picture comment.
« Last Edit: October 01, 2020, 07:29:19 pm by Nikko-chan »

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter


TaurusGirl

Re: Vintage typewriter in a coffeeshop--- rude?
« Reply #1 on: October 01, 2020, 08:31:36 pm »
If I saw someone in a public place using an antique  typewriter I would roll my eyes and ignore them as hard as possible. To me it seems like the kind of thing that's done to draw attention to oneself.

As for it being rude? Only if the operator of the machine is doing their best to type as loudly as possible.
Agree Agree x 6 View List

Nikko-chan

Re: Vintage typewriter in a coffeeshop--- rude?
« Reply #2 on: October 01, 2020, 08:47:41 pm »
If I saw someone in a public place using an antique  typewriter I would roll my eyes and ignore them as hard as possible. To me it seems like the kind of thing that's done to draw attention to oneself.

As for it being rude? Only if the operator of the machine is doing their best to type as loudly as possible.

There were lots of comments like that. Also there is no quiet way to type on a vintage typewriter. Believe me. I've tried. (I used to have one, believe it or not. I wish I still had it honestly...)
Agree Agree x 2 View List

PVZFan

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1296
  • PA - USA
    • View Profile

  • Badges: (View All)
    Level 5 Fifth year Anniversary Fourth year Anniversary
Re: Vintage typewriter in a coffeeshop--- rude?
« Reply #3 on: October 01, 2020, 08:58:44 pm »
There's no way a vintage typewriter can be politely used in any public space. They're loud. It's rude. Full stop. In a coffee shop where half the price of the coffee is the ambiance, it's doubly rude. You'd hear that over noise blocking headphones.

I agree that it's attention seeking and quite precious.
Agree Agree x 8 View List

honeybee42

Re: Vintage typewriter in a coffeeshop--- rude?
« Reply #4 on: October 01, 2020, 09:00:50 pm »
I'd be in the eye-rolling camp, too.  I can't imagine that it would even be that easy/convenient to do so (at least, the vintage typewriters I remember  were huge, cumbersome things that were heavy (and then there'd be the need for space for the pages that were typed and the fresh paper). Certainly attention-seeking (and suggestive of really poor writing talent, just to be snarky--a good writer doesn't need to make fashion statements with equipment).
Agree Agree x 4 View List

silversurfer

Re: Vintage typewriter in a coffeeshop--- rude?
« Reply #5 on: October 01, 2020, 09:41:39 pm »
Typewriters and noisy.

And heavy!

If I walked into a café and someone was clacking away on a typewriter, I would be finding another café to work in.

The response that 'everyone has airpods on' annoys me the most - that is no excuse for being needlessly noisy. And what about those that go to a café to have a conversation over a coffee?

If she doesn't like pen and paper, I would suggest a parchment and quill. The pretentiousness without the noise.

Agree Agree x 6 View List

Rho

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 556
  • Location: Chicago Suburb
    • View Profile

  • Badges: (View All)
    Fifth year Anniversary Level 4 500 Posts
Re: Vintage typewriter in a coffeeshop--- rude?
« Reply #6 on: October 01, 2020, 10:05:19 pm »
Can I sit at the next table listening to my cassett tape player because I don't like iPods? ;D ::) ;D
Like Like x 1 Agree Agree x 1 Funny Funny x 2 View List

Nikko-chan

Re: Vintage typewriter in a coffeeshop--- rude?
« Reply #7 on: October 01, 2020, 10:32:20 pm »
Can I sit at the next table listening to my cassett tape player because I don't like iPods? ;D ::) ;D

Hey dont knock casette players, lol! They were the best. I have very fond memories of going to the dollar store and getting portable tape players cause they wore out so quick! Uhm... upon reflection maybe its because  Igot them at the dollar store...
Funny Funny x 1 View List

Aleko

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2566
  • Location: South-East England
    • View Profile

  • Badges: (View All)
    2500 Posts Fifth year Anniversary Level 4
Re: Vintage typewriter in a coffeeshop--- rude?
« Reply #8 on: October 02, 2020, 01:31:18 am »
It’s rude in two ways.

For one: any vintage typewriter makes enough staccato noise to be heard despite headphones (quite apart from the fact that the statement ‘everyone has airpods on’ is obviously no truer than when a child whines ‘Everyone in my class does it!’), so this is a deliberate noise nuisance, whatever she may say.

For two: it’s not a customer’s business to take it on herself to “add to the ambiance” of any establishment, and her blithe presumption that both the management and all the other customers are and ought to be thrilled to have her clacking away so steampunk-ly is breathtakingly conceited. Being conceited is just a character flaw; but inflicting one’s conceit on the general public is rude.

A rough parallel; if I go and sit in a coffee shop wearing late Elizabethan gear, starched ruff, wheel farthingale and all, because I’ve just done two hours’ historical presentation to a class of 9-year-olds and I need caffeine before going back to cope with the 10-year-olds, fine. But if I dress like that just to go to the coffee shop because I feel good in it and I think everyone will be so thrilled to see me there that they won’t mind a bit that my outfit is blocking two aisles, not so fine.
« Last Edit: October 02, 2020, 07:02:02 am by Aleko »
Agree Agree x 4 View List

Rose Red

Re: Vintage typewriter in a coffeeshop--- rude?
« Reply #9 on: October 02, 2020, 06:20:00 am »
Pretentious. Like others said, vintage typewriters are heavy so she had to make an effort to show off and seek attention.

The sitcom Two Broke Girls is not the best show, but there was a scene where a customer was using a typewriter in the diner and one of the main characters (a waitress) called him out on all his hipster steampunk pretentiousness. So this situation may not be as rare as we think. ::) This girl is trying to be edgy and original but she's not. Just annoying with all the noise. And noise means "look at me."
« Last Edit: October 02, 2020, 06:24:57 am by Rose Red »
Agree Agree x 6 View List

DaDancingPsych

Re: Vintage typewriter in a coffeeshop--- rude?
« Reply #10 on: October 02, 2020, 07:59:35 am »
Activities that do not disrupt other customers are probably fine. But as established, typewriters are noisy (even electric ones!) So yes, rude. I remember typing on one as a kid and it also vibrated the table. So there's a chance that it could also be disruptive by being felt by others. And yes, doubly rude to "add" to the ambiance.  ::)  I don't go to coffee shops to listen to someone typing.
Agree Agree x 2 View List

STiG

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1497
  • Location: Ontario, Canada
    • View Profile

  • Badges: (View All)
    Fifth year Anniversary Level 4 Fourth year Anniversary
Re: Vintage typewriter in a coffeeshop--- rude?
« Reply #11 on: October 02, 2020, 08:42:22 am »
Pretentious, rude, attention seeking, all round annoying!

I could probably handle the typing noises but the *ding* with the carriage return would drive me right 'round the bend.

As for portability, my Dad had one that was designed to be portable; it even had a carrying case for it.
Like Like x 1 View List

Hmmm

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2797
  • Location: Texas - USA
    • View Profile

  • Badges: (View All)
    Fifth year Anniversary 2500 Posts Level 5
Re: Vintage typewriter in a coffeeshop--- rude?
« Reply #12 on: October 02, 2020, 08:57:39 am »
Pretentious, rude, attention seeking, all round annoying!

I could probably handle the typing noises but the *ding* with the carriage return would drive me right 'round the bend.

As for portability, my Dad had one that was designed to be portable; it even had a carrying case for it.

This, all of this.

It is a general rule that you do not try and create noise in public places. Which is why everyone is wearing headphones instead of just listening from their speakers.

I wont say here what I think of her "ambiance" comment.
Like Like x 1 View List

honeybee42

Re: Vintage typewriter in a coffeeshop--- rude?
« Reply #13 on: October 02, 2020, 09:01:50 am »
I completely forgot about the *ding*  Yeah, that would be extremely disruptive (and since the disruption is entirely unnecessary *and* intentional, rude).
Agree Agree x 1 View List

Rose Red

Re: Vintage typewriter in a coffeeshop--- rude?
« Reply #14 on: October 02, 2020, 09:34:23 am »
As for portability, my Dad had one that was designed to be portable; it even had a carrying case for it.

My family had a typewriter with a case in the 80's and it was still heavy and clunky. I've seen some as small as a laptop though.

OP, is there a link to the post so we can see the typewriter?