How to Be Courteous with Google Glass (Don't Be a Glasshole)

Google Glass is the newest in the technology universe. As I Glass Explorer myself, I write this article to help other Explorers out there to be polite and respectful to themselves and others while wearing their Glass

Method 1 of 2: Being Polite with Google Glass

1. Prepare to be noticed

• Be aware that theres only about 7,000 devices in the US and about 10,000 total in the rest of the world. You will get plenty of attention with them on, especially when you have a bright color like orange, blue, or white. I have the white and for that reason people can see them from across the room. You'll be like a mini-celebrity, so be ready!

2. The different reactions to Glass

• People will just stare at you and not say a word because they think you have an eyepatch on or medical condition (has happened to me) or don't know what Glass is
• The social type will come right up to you and ask, "What's on your face?", "What's with your glasses?", or "What is 'that'?"
• They'll whisper to their friend that you're wearing Google Glass and then their friend won't know what it is and then start pointing at you and your head and try to explain what it is. You just act like you don't notice them and continue what you're doing
• People will say "I've heard of those," and then ask what they do
• People know exactly what Glass is and will freak out like its the most amazing thing they've ever seen in their life and make a big scene about it and then everyone knows you have them and then you're bombarded with questions and just, ugh.
• People know what it is and will play it off cool, like "nice shades" or "cool glasses"
• Then those yell at you to stop recording them.

3. Do's and Don'ts of Google Glass.

• Do Ask for permission. When in public always ask before you take photos or video. Treat it just like a phone camera.
• Do Use Glass to help not only you, but others. Such as if my friend wanted to know the score of the football game, then ask Glass and save them the time
• Do Respect and acknowledge others while wearing Glass and use Glass as an assistant instead of a new friend.
• Do Have a response for those who ask what Google Glass is. I'll go further into this later. (In the tips)
• Don't' always have Glass' screen on. This will make people think you're recording them, and it will run the battery dead faster, because after all, the screen being on uses up the most battery
• Don't use Glass in extreme sports. As durable as Glass is, it's still a computer. Treat it like a fragile phone
• Don't wear it and expect to be ignored. That's pretty self explanatory

Where to wear

As cool and nice as Google Glass is, there's a time and place to not wear it around. These are for politeness, safety, and lawful reasons.

1. Movie Theaters

• As we all know, recording devices are illegal in movie theaters worldwide. Glass is considered a recording device, as it's not concealed and has a camera. A few months ago, a man was in a theater in Ohio with Glass where he was taken by the FBI and Homeland Security for interrogation. They checked his device and found no evidence of video so he was let go, but he was almost arrested just for having the device out during a movie.

2. Family Gatherings/Dinners in Public

• This is more of a politeness situation, but I, myself will not take Glass to large family gatherings or dinners out in public. I found that it can be rude when we're all sitting at dinner and the waiter or another diner asks what's on my face. Then I have to explain it all and it's rude to my family and friends. If I'm going to a more open place with them (zoo, museum, aquarium, etc) I feel it wouldn't be rude to bring it because it's not so quiet or awkward there if someone were to ask.

3. Casinos

• As an Explorer who lives in Las Vegas, I definitely have to watch out when wearing Glass in casinos. Caesar's Palace actually has a "No Glass Policy" when around the gambling tables and this applies to most casinos. They claim it's to prevent cheating and fraud during gambling. I usually wear Glass to casinos, but just keep my distance from the tables.

4. The "Bad Parts of Town"

• A majority of people I meet, extremely wealthy or poor, know what Glass is. Google does have insurance on Glass but it doesn't cover theft or loss so if someone were to take them off your face and run away, you'd pretty much never get them back. For this reason I passcode lock my Glass, because if the thief calls Glass support stating they forgot the lock code, then Google will ask for the serial number and they may get suspicious when it's the same as yours. To an extent you can track Glass with 3rd party apps or glass.google.com/myglass, but its really just best to not lose it at all

5. Driving

• Glass is an electronic device and is considered to be "distractive". For this reason, many states such as California, Nevada, and Washington are giving tickets to those who drive and use Google Glass whether it's on or not. Some laws are trying to be passed to remove the driving ban since with some cars like the Tesla Model S, Glass will assist you with a speedometer, battery life, tire pressure, etc. Also, in some states laws, it's not a distractive because it gives GPS and directions, but as of now, it's unfortunately not to be used while driving.

6. Bars

• Most people have heard of the Molotov incident in San Francisco. If you haven't pretty much Sarah Slocum, an explorer, was robbed of her phone and wallet because 2 people thought she was recording them. So bars are probably not the place for Glass.

Method 2 of 2: Google Glass Greatness

1. Avoid the bad habits while using Glass at all times by following the steps listed here, and you can be on your way to Google Glass greatness!

Tips

• I suggest that you have some pre-planned words to when someone asks you what Glass is, because you'll get TONS of questions and it's always good to have answers. I usually respond with a, "It's an iPhone for your face" or I just explain everything it does.
• Come up with a response when someone asks to try them on. You wouldn't really think this would be a problem, but when I went to big malls or store complexes, I would get asked a lot. Whether you're comfortable with it, or not have a response. I usually will let someone if I know they can't steal it, like I had an Apple employee try them and she couldn't really steal them even if she tried, but when three 15 year olds came up to me and asked, I had to deny.

Warning

• Really watch out where you wear Glass, don't risk getting robbed for them ever. If non-lethal weapons are legal in your town, I suggest you get a taser, or baton. PLEASE check laws though before you get one.

Source : wikihow.com