Do you ever take notes in public?

[Parsimonious]

If so, how do people around you react? Do they eye you with suspicion? Do they ask you what you're doing?

A lot of people read in public and no one thinks anything about it. But, I've never noticed anyone writing in public, other than maybe a crossword puzzle or in a library. I've thought about it, but I wonder if it would attract too much attention. I'm a little shy and wouldn't like that.

[mreeveshp]

I do all the time, I always keep at least a notebook that fits in my back pocket for just such occasions. I know I can make a note on my phone but even when I had a note 8 I always found myself using a real pen and paper, nothing beats it. My memory is horrible so I'm always writing down things to remember, lyrics/poem ideas, etc. Plus studies show that writing something down gives you a greater chance of remembering the task or idea.

I'm only 33 so most people my age think its weird that I always have a pen and something to write on, I don't always carry a fountain (which they think is even weirder) I might just carry my g2 depends on what I'm doing and where I'm going. And honestly I don't think anyone except my doctor has ever noticed. He always likes that I have fountain pens

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[silverlifter]

All the time. Mostly on the train on my commute. No-one has ever reacted (not that I am aware of anyway, but I am focussed on taking notes, not other people's reactions).

[Walking with dogs]

Yes. I’ve done it for years in coffee shops, bars, parks, etc. No one pays much attention.

[Chuck Naill]

Yes, all the time. Never noticed I was being watched.

[guyy]

I am shy and attention-hating, too, at least in person, and yet i have no issue with writing in public. I wrote in public often before Covid. Others do it too, it’s just that most people do it on a laptop now. I expect i’ll go back to working in public eventually. I work better outside than at home.

[jar]

I am truly amazed that we have reached the point where taking notes in public might garner attention. Kids these days.

[Brilliant Bill]

You're amazed, I'm skeptical. I think people lie awake at night dreaming these things up.

[FredRydr]

I am truly amazed that we have reached the point where taking notes in public might garner attention. Kids these days.

I'm taking a note of that.

[Yazeh]

Some people take offence to sketching and it is understandable...
.....writing I don't understand why?

[Zoe]

Always until the pandemic. Cafes were my mainstay. Broke down in tears the other day, while running a safe space errand, when I could not stop at any of the locals.

[Sailor Kenshin]

If so, how do people around you react? Do they eye you with suspicion? Do they ask you what you're doing?

A lot of people read in public and no one thinks anything about it. But, I've never noticed anyone writing in public, other than maybe a crossword puzzle or in a library. I've thought about it, but I wonder if it would attract too much attention. I'm a little shy and wouldn't like that.

All the time. No one notices, no one cares.

So don't worry!

[eachan]

Like Sailor Kenshin I write in public spaces all the time. I once had someone enquire what I was writing, not aggressively, just curious. That was a long time ago and completely ignored since.

[Parsimonious]

Thanks for the comments. This 81 year old kid appreciates them.

[R.A. Stewart]

Thanks for the comments. This 81 year old kid appreciates them.

And this 70-year-old kid is reading them with interest and thanks you for starting this thread.

I always carry at least a piece of paper and a ballpoint pen with me (my standing joke is that we failed would-be writers always carry paper and pen), and more often than not a small Moleskine notebook that I use basically as a commonplace book. When I used to spend more time in public places, and even more when I was on public transportation daily, I was always jotting things down, and sometimes doing more sustained writing if I was working on a manuscript, song, report, or the like. I don't recall that anyone ever took notice.

[Tammus]

Yes, because there is nothing wrong with that.

[Cookedj]

I do all the time. If asked I just explain I'm a teacher and though of something that could help my students.

[KrazyIvan]

Yes. I was noticed only one time, that I know of. It was a teenager commenting on my fountain pen to her parents in a whisper. Did I mention I have really good hearing?

[Scrawler]

Yes. I was noticed only one time, that I know of. It was a teenager commenting on my fountain pen to her parents in a whisper. Did I mention I have really good hearing?

When I have operated polls during elections I use "bulletproof" type inks so I can prove the documents I sign came from my desk. One time I was filling in an elector details form and the lady next in line nudged her husband and in a loud whisper "look he's using a real pen".

[BlkWhiteFilmPix]

Yes, and no one's ever inquired. Might be because my camera's also on the table or counter (pre-pandemic).

During visits to Les Deux Magots in Paris, I've seen people at a table inside writing in a notebook, usually with a fountain pen.