459 replies to this topic

[CharlieTurtle]

 

#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). 

 

"It's not broken, it needs refilling. I have a cartridge in here-"

 

"... pens need to be refilled?"

[GabrielleDuVent]

 

"It's not broken, it needs refilling. I have a cartridge in here-"

 

"... pens need to be refilled?"

 

"That's a pen?!"

[JulesSilvan]

I've gotten more comments about my Jetstream ballpoint than my fountain pens. Most people who've grabbed my fountain pen just look really confused when they can't pull the cap off and then grab a different pen. 

[cybaea]

If they notice it: a strange look followed by "I can't write with one of those".

[DRWWE]

Most don't notice or comment.  However, some of my older patients will occasionally say they haven't seen anyone use a FP is a long time.  One recently said he didn't know they made FPs any more.  

[xwingrox]

"Does it squirt ink all over the place?" 

[CharlieTurtle]

"Does it squirt ink all over the place?" 

 

"What happens if I do this-"

"NO!" Cue me diving to rescue the pen

[Wahl]

I get all kinds of comments, from curious to complimentary.

[BrandonA]

Nothing.

 

No one cares.

[rhodialover]

An exchange typically goes like this:

 

Fellow Student: I don't have a pen, can I borrow one?

 

Me: Sure, just don't break it or touch the shiny metal end (nib) unless you want to look like a hobo.

 

Them: Have you ever stabbed someone with this?

 

Me: No

 

Them: 'Attempts to write sideways'

 

Me: Don't do that, it wont write! Here hold it this way.

 

Them: Do you have any normal pens.

 

Me: No. 

 

It just so happened that once I gave a very close friend an eyedropper Platnium Preppy filled with Noodler's Navajo Turquoise and he opened the section, even after I told him not to. He ended up looking like a smurf for several days afterward as he didn't know how to get the ink off. He even seemed amused. I do have one friend that is perfectly capable with my pens, but unfortunately he has no real interest in them. I'm now hardly ever asked for pens. I go to a very small school and as such I can bring more expensive pens there than would be normally acceptable. I'm also never asked for paper anymore as I only use Rhodia and usually its a dot pad and people can't figure out how to use it. But on the upside I get to know my pens very well.

[ethernautrix]

WHEN people notice (and usually they don't, but when they do), the typical response is, "Are you a calligrapher?" (Or variation, such as, "Do you write calligraphy?")

 

Also, "Oh, you could stab someone with this!" (Or variation, such as, "This could be dangerous!")

 

Occasionally, "Oh, that's beautiful! I could never write with one of those." Also, "I love those pens. Fountain pens, right? I couldn't have one; I would lose it."

[kagesama]

**silent** .....followed by.... I havent seen that for a very long time...... I used vintage fp and reaction to that can sometime be amusing.... Loaning a pen to someone can be a funny experience as well as heart wrenching as in the hand of a noob can spell the death of your pen (nib may spoilt with improper use)....

[GabrielleDuVent]

Okay, so it looks like I'm not the only one who got the "is that a weapon?" response. I'm not sure what it's about FPs that makes them look like weapons. If it's the pointy tip, then surely Pilot V5s look like weapons too?

 

I'm actually surprised people lend their pens. I flatly tell them no and either bestow them the valuable bic rod, or just blankly stare at them and say no if I don't have a bic at disposal. As DrCodfish said,

 

Hunting dog carbon fiber steelhead rod, vintage corvette, trophy wife, and fountain pen: "No, you may not borrow any of these." 

[queenofpens]

I had forgotten about the calligraphy question until I saw it mentioned above. I have gotten that one a couple of times, in addition to "is that a fountain pen?"

 

Even when I explain I don't do real calligraphy, I only try to write prettily, one co-worker insisted I demonstrate calligraphy on the spot to a couple of out-of-town VIPs he was escorting in the building.

[minislot]

 

Somebody said that to you?!

I also get that alot.

Probably 'cos of my scrawl.

Edited by minislot, 31 May 2013 - 19:35.

[orinix]

I've never gotten the "is that a weapon" question.

 

Usually I just get a passing "that's cool"  comment. Occasionally someone is more curious and ask to try it.

[CharlieTurtle]

I've never gotten the "is that a weapon" question.

 

Usually I just get a passing "that's cool"  comment. Occasionally someone is more curious and ask to try it.

 

I think I'll get the weapon one more with the Sheaffer - the others looks very pen like.

[pokermind]

... I go to a very small school and ... I'm also never asked for paper anymore as I only use Rhodia and usually its a dot pad and people can't figure out how to use it.

If you go to a school where they can't figure out how to use paper, you need to get yourself into a better school.

[GabrielleDuVent]

If you go to a school where they can't figure out how to use paper, you need to get yourself into a better school.

 

Maybe they use slate and stylus. That's more eco-friendly, ya know

[bailey philip]

My students know that I am an avd fountain pen user. There are a few users in my classes as well.

 

The other evening I changed my demonstrator Noodler's Ahab into an eyedropper. I filled it with Noodler's Nikita. The next day, when I went to grade a students' work, they asked me if it was blood in the Ahab, my response, "Of course." Then I moved the nib up towards the large vein in my arm like I was collecting blood. The response - raised eye brows, "You're weird Mr. Bailey."

Edited by bailey philip, 01 June 2013 - 10:26.