I need some iPod advice from people currently in High School

[SergeArsenie]

Well i'm deciding on whether to take my iPod with me to school tomorrow. It may seem like no big deal, but i'm a bit concerned, seeing as its my first time. Anyways, what should I do when people want to see it, or listen to it a bit, or hold it? Frankly, I don't trust them and I don't want to let them. What can I say that won't come off too mean, since I can't just say "No" because who knows what they'll try.

Any advice would be extremlely helpful. I think i'll just keep it in my pockets and it'll be fine, but my dad said, "Why bring something so expensive to school?" And he's right, but I want to listen to music, but i'm afraid it'll get stolen (which I think I can avoid with keeping it in pockets) or damaged (maybe bumping into people in hallways?). Whats your opinion? I hope I can just make it through the day trouble-free.

Thanks guys for the help.
~Serge

[VousDew]

You're thinking about it too hard. Don't wave it around and shout, "Look! An iPod!", but you don't have to be paranoid about it, either. Just keep it on you at all times. And there's nothing wrong with letting people see it, or touch it. Just tell them to keep their fingers away from the screen.

[Zeniq]

I think that if you want to take your iPod to school, you should take it. You should definately be careful with who you let handle it, and if you make the choice not to let anyone touch it, that's fine. If people ask if they can see it, say "no, I don't think so." and if they pry, don't give in. People should respect your choice to protect your property from others.

[Twista89]

Well my advice to you is if your planning on listening to it at school and outside of school...get rid of the white ear-buds people will know if you have a ipod and will try to rob you.
I took my ipod to school once and only let people that I really know and trust touch it and only one person listened to it. So if you want to let people see it let only the people you really know see it. Also I keep my ipod in my locker during some classes like Gym where it might get stolen. If you let someone listen to it and you dont feel 100% with letting them see it stand by them all the time and make sure they dont try to walk off. If you feel scared to bring it to school dont bother with the pressure and just leave it at home that way you will know for sure no one from school will try and steal it.
I kinda feel safe bringing mine to school sometimes because like 20% of the people in my school have some sort of ipod so I feel not alone with the ipod lol.

[mcbain]

yeah i suggest not flashing it, they will get jealous if they want to see let them if they are nice.

[SergeArsenie]

Twista, since you're in Chicago too, what school do you go to? Maybe we go to the same school?

Also, 3 replies in a 2 minute timespan, awesome. Thanks guys.

Yep, I understand. I'm just a bit skeptical about having it stolen or damaged, but i'm a realistic person and I know that if I keep it with me at all times, it won't get stolen. Its just that my dad manages to make some good points.

The part I am concerned about is letting people touch it or listen to it, or hold it. If I would say no, they would mutter something under their breath or try to convince you, and i'm pretty sure that kids of today don't just accept saying NO. I know I do because i'm smarter than everyone at my school (rank 1), but I see many idiots at my school who are totally opposite.

That's it, just don't want it touched or people asking to "see" it.

[Madkins007]

My 2 cents as a parent and ex-techie high-schooler:

1.) Ditch the white cords. They are a signal to everyone that you are carrying an iPod. Nothing ot be embarrassed about, but it just adds to the 'look at me' factor.

2.) Play the 'what if' game. How will you feel if it IS lost, damaged, etc.? Murphy's Law will catch up with you sooner or later! I had an expensive tape player stolen when I was getting my senior pic taken and I asked a teacher to watch my stuff- which she did until she left.

Bottom line:
3.) Do what you really want. Small electronics like this are worthless if they are just sitting around.

[afalconsvick]

Wow that's awesome I'm from Chicago also. Anyway I use mine in school and don't have a problem. I don't have the white earphones anyway. If someone asks to let them see it, then stand right next to them and don't let them pass to anyone else because that is how it gets lost or stolen.

[Twista89]

I got to Martin Luther King College Prep on 4445 S. Drexel you?

[afalconsvick]

I go to West Leyden.

[SergeArsenie]

I go to Mather High.

[Buffoonist]

I think the common mistake is letting the whole world know you own an ipod. At my school everyone holds their ipod's in their hand. hmm i wonder why they get stolen and dropped frequently.

I keep my ipod on with my belt clip, wear ex51's, and don't let anyone hold it.

[mcbain]

it also depends on your school.
Are there a lot of thefts and bad kids?
or very few?

[SergeArsenie]

Well when you have to turn it off, you have to take it out of the pockets. I hope it'll be fine in my pockets.

At my school, not really anything bad happens, but I am kinda of skeptical of people that look ghetto.

[SoundChaser]

just take it, man
don't worry about it too much
i mean, i don't know about your school or anything, but at my school it's no problem, and ill pull it out in the hall once in a while to turn up the volume or something if i need to, and ive never been threatened or anything
i bought an ipod FOR school, because without music during the day, i can go nuts sometimes, feening for the music that I love so much
anyways, tons of people have ipods at my school now anyways, so nobody even cares any more
as for the people who look ghetto, lol just dont look them in the eye.. haha that's what i do