The concept of Google Glass (it's a computer on your face, guys) is a marvel — but the idea of wearing the silver unibrow in real life? Not so much. Gadget geeks wearing Google's eyewear are sometimes referred to as "Glassholes," a derogatory term that Google would rather not have associated with its wearable tech.

So the company has laid out a manual of Glass "tech-tiquette," [1] a list of dos and don'ts that turn creepy Explorers into positive brand ambassadors. The guidance doesn't just apply to Google Glass wearers, either; these recommendations are great for smartphone addicts, too.

A sampling of the Google-crafted advice:

• Don't be creepy or rude — If a cell phone is a no go, "the same rules apply to Glass." People will be curious, so "be polite and explain what Glass does" because, as Google makes clear, a "quick demo goes a long way."
• Don't Glass-out — Tuning out and staring into the Google Glass screen is not OK. Get the information you need from Glass then "quickly get back to doing the other things you love." The same goes for smartphone addicts. Don't try to read a 1,200-page novel on your phone at a party. Put the device away, and start interacting with the real world!
• Do ask for permission — The camera function allows for great hands-free creativity [2], but that doesn't mean you can start disregarding other people's privacy. Recording people from the corner of a room with Glass is "not going to win you any friends."
• Don't expect to be ignored — If you don't want to be bothered, don't wear Glass. There's a computer on your face! Of course people will ask you some questions. "Be patient and explain that Glass has a lot of the same features as a mobile phone," advises Google.

The Glass Explorer community is often berated for wearing the augmented-reality eyewear, simply because the new tech is very different — therefore, weird. People don't understand how the tech works, so it's up to Glass wearers to explain it to the public.

If you're interested in wearing Glass, but not interested in the gawking that comes with it, try going on a solo hike and donning the tech amid the great outdoors [3] or trying one of Google's hipster prescription frame add-ons [4] (pictured above).

A few weeks ago, we tried on the smart spectacles for ourselves — and while looking into the prism and not going cross-eyed was a challenge unto itself, it didn't seem all that different from wearing the glasses we already wear on a daily basis. Taking a picture was as simple as winking, getting directions was incredibly helpful, and scanning headlines didn't require the same effort as taking out a phone and scrolling through apps.

Have you tried on Google Glass? How would you feel about wearing the high-tech eyewear in real life?

Source: Google [5]