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Re:Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my lapt... by rjurney on Sunday August 16, 2009 @03:49PM (#766587)
Let out a little scream like a madman, "aaaahhh! no touch screen!"

Silliness works.

Or my favorite: "Touching my computer is like touching my penis. Seriously."

Re:Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my lapt... by philwelch on Sunday August 16, 2009 @04:53PM (#766720)
"What's seventeen inches and resting on my thigh"?
Re:Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my lapt... by skwaddar on Monday August 17, 2009 @04:03AM (#767590)
Re:Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my lapt... by indrax on Monday August 17, 2009 @01:56AM (#767454)
Take out a piece of clear tape, put it where they touched the screen, take it off and put it on a blank piece of paper, then write their name and the finger they used on the paper. If they ask say it's "for my records."
Re:Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my lapt... by simonista on Sunday August 16, 2009 @04:46PM (#766708)
In my opinion comedy only works in situations like these if you're also a bit silly/comic in other situations. Otherwise it's obvious that you're just using it to try to diffuse the confrontation and it doesn't work.
Re:Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my lapt... by rjurney on Sunday August 16, 2009 @10:10PM (#767197)
True. I'm silly most of the time.
Re:Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my lapt... by vinutheraj on Sunday August 16, 2009 @04:04PM (#766616)
I don't think your favorite line will work if it's a female co-worker though !
Re:Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my lapt... by lucraft on Monday August 17, 2009 @12:52AM (#767390)
Well, she's certainly not going to touch your screen again.
Re:Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my lapt... by nudded on Sunday August 16, 2009 @03:52PM (#766596)
That is definitly one to remember. And it is actually good advice, making a joke out of it will make the other person feel less bad.
Re:Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my lapt... by jsackmann on Sunday August 16, 2009 @04:03PM (#766615)
Unless they keep touching the screen. Then it could get awkward.
Re:Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my lapt... by nudded on Sunday August 16, 2009 @04:17PM (#766638)
As long as your laptop doesn't increase in size, you should not worry
Re:Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my lapt... by rjurney on Sunday August 16, 2009 @10:09PM (#767196)
Just up the ante. Scream like a madman, do a rain dance. Silly scales.
Re:Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my lapt... by __david__ on Sunday August 16, 2009 @06:09PM (#766858)
Ok, if someone used your favorite line on me it would provoke an entire hand rubbing across the screen, but then I'm a bit of a real life troll. :-)
Re:Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my lapt... by shard on Monday August 17, 2009 @06:33AM (#767782)
I don't think what you would have done would be trolling, it'd be making a pass at him.
Re:Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my lapt... by rjurney on Sunday August 16, 2009 @10:10PM (#767198)
See: rain dance.
Re:Ask HN: Trivial etiquette question - can he touch my lapt... by aerique on Monday August 17, 2009 @05:07AM (#767680)
Or if they're wearing glasses touch those with your greasy fingers. They'll get the hint.