Using Fountain Pen In Front Of Your Boss

[gordonf35]

Hello everyone,

 

I have just graduated a year ago. Unsurprisingly, I am one of the lowest level in my office. :ltcapd:

 

A week ago, I brought my MB Starwater to meet my boss and I was struggling whether I should use it. I noticed my boss's pen is a Pilot..... .....similar to "Vanishing Point", but a "ball pen" version :ltcapd:..

 

http://images.e-storefront.co.uk/l/1050973.jpg

 

At last, i decided not to use mine.

 

Should we share any comments/ interesting moment when you use your fountain pen in front of your boss? Apologies if there is any similar topic rasied before.

 

Thanks,

 

Gordon

Edited November 21, 2011 by gordonf35

[stefanv]

I don't see what the issue is. No one except perhaps a fellow fountain pen enthusiast cares what pen you're using.

[pajaro]

I have used my Meisterstucks in front of bosses before. It's a diverse world. On the other hand, IT coworkers typically scoff when I use a fountain pen, or even a good ballpoint. Forget them.

[zquilts]

I can't imagine why that would be an awkward moment. In fact I think it might be a 'bonding opportunity'. Everyone in my office knows that I use fountain pens exclusively- with the exception of a roller ball that uses fountain pen ink for when I need to fill out duplicate forms. Most everyone wants to know about the pens and the ink. It might be that your boss uses the pen you described for office work- and leaves other, perhaps better, pens at home.

 

Your pen is something to be proud of - and made use of. It might even made them more pleased than ever that they chose you! Congratulations on landing a job in this difficult economic times.

[Malcy]

I don't understand the reticence?

 

I use my FPs anywhere at work in front of anyone and I don't care what they think.

 

The reaction is usually one of interest anyway. When I whipped out a 1932 Wahl Eversharp Equi-Poise the other day to sign a document in front of the Headteacher (equiv to the CEO) he said 'That's a fancy pen, aren't you afraid of losing it? My immediate boss is a self confessed pen geek, so loves to try whatever I am using.

[PAKMAN]

My boss (ex-boss) was afraid of fountain pens. Thought that he would instantly be covered in ink if he touched one and heaven forbid if one got near his pocket! Though he never came around, he did have me help him buy one for his father in law who liked FPs and art deco things.

[ChuckClark]

Never be intimidated by anyone to be anything but YOU.

 

As a boss there have been times when I wasn't aware of things arond me,

But in reflection I usually remembered details.Whether it was shoes, a favorite

pair of socks, a special purse, or a pen, I always want to try to notice those things

and say so.

 

Write with your pen. Do it for you.

 

You can't imagine how many people i have ended up sharng my pens with

because they saw me using it.

 

And I have told countless professionals that they need to upgrade their

Image. You don't go and ask someone to buy what you are selling

and then hand them a bic to write a $1,000 check.

 

Show your pride. Show your pen.

[MadAmos]

I use nothing but fountain pens and this includes in front of my boss, the manager the department director or the site VP. My pen choice has even started a few interesting conversations.

[JLT]

Gordon,

 

I would encourage you to use your pen and not be concerned with what someone's reaction might be. Have confidence in and be true to those things that mean something to you. You will have many bosses before your working days are done. Things that are special to you today may very well be special to you for the rest of your life.

[OldGriz]

What is the big deal and what are you afraid of.....

You use fountain pens.... others use ballpoints, roller balls or pencils.... so what

[mirosc]

If your boss uses fountain pens himself, he will appreciate that you are a pen writer, too.

If your boss does not, he might have no clue if your writing thingy costs 30p or 300$.

 

In both cases feel safe to use your pen. It helps you make your work better.

Edited November 21, 2011 by mirosc

[dickydotcom]

The next time you see your boss, picture him with no clothes on for a moment or two.

It's a great equaliser.

Of course you should use your pen.

The really big question will be if he asks to try it out.

For me the answer would be a polite, "I'm sorry but only I use this pen. I'm still breaking in the nib."

I know it's rubbish but it's better than "I don't trust you not to bend it."

 

Dick D

[TonySMJC]

use your pen

 

Dress , act ,write and do all things for the position you want Not the one you have.

[gordonf35]

Thank you guys, there is a lot of useful comments, I will try to show off my very best pen then. I just realised the amazing benefit that I can start a new conversation in the office!

 

My pens are always the ones that I am proud of, even more than my watch. That's because pen is your partner. You have to use and enjoy the feeling of it. It only comes to live with your hand

[gordonf35]

The next time you see your boss, picture him with no clothes on for a moment or two.

It's a great equaliser.

Of course you should use your pen.

The really big question will be if he asks to try it out.

For me the answer would be a polite, "I'm sorry but only I use this pen. I'm still breaking in the nib."

I know it's rubbish but it's better than "I don't trust you not to bend it."

 

Dick D

 

I would love to lend my pens, but last time I gave it to someone and he used it upside down :roflmho:

[StephY]

Is it a fountain pen v. ballpoint pen issue? Or a Montblanc v. Pilot issue?

 

If the latter, I have known many people to be reluctant to "disclose" their pen/phone/computer/car to avoid using something that is perceived to be better (more expensive/lavish) than their boss's. I hear these stories mostly from my cousins in Hong Kong who work for conservative firms with old-fashioned bosses.

 

If the former, I personally would choose to go with the FP. My concern is more that my boss might notice that I am using multiple pens during a long meeting (to keep things interesting) and conclude that I have adult attention deficit disorder.

 

Actually, most people in my office know about me and my "special pens," and now they only comment when I am not using a fountain pen.

[mejdrich]

Typically, I would respond in my curmudgeonly fashion, " use what you want... if they don't like it, screw 'em."

 

However, with the onset of the Holiday spirit, I am more charitably inclined. So...

 

Easy answer: if you are, by nature, affable and capable of having a conversation with your boss without getting too nervous, I would suggest you use your fountain pen. Most of the time, your pen will go unnoticed - should it not, it is likely a comment will be made (other than an obvious glare, this is really the only way you would know it HAS been noticed).

 

You might accuse me of being Machiavellian, which, to be honest, is quite true (in the old pre-revision perspective of the Prince), but, this will provide you an opportunity to further engage with your boss. I am firm believer that these little trophy moments can be the catalyst that differentiates a decent employee from a cherished member of the team.

 

However, the CAM (career advancing move) can quickly become a CLM (career limiting move) if you can't deftly handle the conversation itself...

 

This situation finds its analogy in the car you drive, the school you did or didn't attend, the clothes you wear, etc... If, like a younger less wise (hard to believe) version of myself, you don't want to give up some of the "stuff" we surround ourselves with to survive the day, you need to get the story down. Unless you are in a creative field, you can always describe the FP as the closest you get to art - I have ZERO artistic talent and have been justifying my FP use as the closest I get to art for years...

 

As a good friend once said, "it's all in the packaging".

 

I will refrain from boring you with the hard answer. (hell, I am already bored with my post) (and, since I noticed a number of spelling errors, clearly un-wise)

Edited November 21, 2011 by mejdrich

[dickydotcom]

Is it a fountain pen v. ballpoint pen issue? Or a Montblanc v. Pilot issue?

 

If the latter, I have known many people to be reluctant to "disclose" their pen/phone/computer/car to avoid using something that is perceived to be better (more expensive/lavish) than their boss's. I hear these stories mostly from my cousins in Hong Kong who work for conservative firms with old-fashioned bosses.

 

If the former, I personally would choose to go with the FP. My concern is more that my boss might notice that I am using multiple pens during a long meeting (to keep things interesting) and conclude that I have adult attention deficit disorder.

 

Actually, most people in my office know about me and my "special pens," and now they only comment when I am not using a fountain pen.

Funny, my assumption if any, would be that you give a different significance to notes made with each pen and that way you can pick things out from the notes more easily.

e.g. ideas to follow up in italic

questionable statements in red

blue sky thinking in.....uh....ok blue.

and so on.

Dick D

[StephY]

 

Funny, my assumption if any, would be that you give a different significance to notes made with each pen and that way you can pick things out from the notes more easily.

e.g. ideas to follow up in italic

questionable statements in red

blue sky thinking in.....uh....ok blue.

and so on.

Dick D

 

I do color-code - how else could I justify having so many pens inked? But people less obsessed with pens and inks may not notice the subtle difference in the different shades of blue.

[gordonf35]

Typically, I would respond in my curmudgeonly fashion, " use what you want... if they don't like it, screw 'em."

 

However, with the onset of the Holiday spirit, I am more charitably inclined. So...

 

Easy answer: if you are, by nature, affable and capable of having a conversation with your boss without getting too nervous, I would suggest you use your fountain pen. Most of the time, your pen will go unnoticed - should it not, it is likely a comment will be made (other than an obvious glare, this is really the only way you would know it HAS been noticed).

 

You might accuse me of being Machiavellian, which, to be honest, is quite true (in the old pre-revision perspective of the Prince), but, this will provide you an opportunity to further engage with your boss. I am firm believer that these little trophy moments can be the catalyst that differentiates a decent employee from a cherished member of the team.

 

However, the CAM (career advancing move) can quickly become a CLM (career limiting move) if you can't deftly handle the conversation itself...

 

This situation finds its analogy in the car you drive, the school you did or didn't attend, the clothes you wear, etc... If, like a younger less wise (hard to believe) version of myself, you don't want to give up some of the "stuff" we surround ourselves with to survive the day, you need to get the story down. Unless you are in a creative field, you can always describe the FP as the closest you get to art - I have ZERO artistic talent and have been justifying my FP use as the closest I get to art for years...

 

As a good friend once said, "it's all in the packaging".

 

I will refrain from boring you with the hard answer. (hell, I am already bored with my post) (and, since I noticed a number of spelling errors, clearly un-wise)

 

Your answer is one of the very honest answer to me indeed! Can't agree more, everything is about packaging, the better "packaging" you have, the easier to blend with better people. Well, I shouldn't class people in this way but I know it actually works. Please don't accuse me of being Machiavellian as well.

 

The reason I was a bit afraid of how my boss think it's because I came from Hong Kong. In my culture, as one of the post mentioned, Bosses are aware of the employees being more luxury (or posh) then them. It similar if you bring your girlfriend/ wife to a wedding party and she dress so much better and prettier than the host.