I'm not sure what kind of signal it sends to other people, though. I can't find myself to care about that when it comes to what pens and paper I use.
Personally I found that it encouraged me to write more.
http://centerforplainlanguage.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10...
The Lamy Safari is pretty Social Democratic. A few of my students actually buy them.
I prefer Uniball Signo 0.7mm myself, can be bought in most high street stationary shops in the UK.
Beautiful, man.
I have been switching between writing right-handed arabic and english all my life with every kind of pen available, it has never been a problem. I never even noticed there's a difference.
The cheap Pilot Varsity disposable ones are a fantastic starter FP, as they cost about $3, a tenth (or less) of the price of a Good Fountain Pen. Ink isn't changeable, but the leaking is minimal. (They aren't waterproof, though.)
The advantage is, if you decide you don't like it, you aren't stuck with it, and if you lose it or loan it out, no big deal. I also like that Staples tends to sell them in a pack of three colors.
I've also used the Bic one [1]. It's also OK, and is partially waterproof, but its cap drives me bonkers. It's been a long time since I used one, though, as the pads at current employer bleed a bit when I used my fountain pens. I liked writing on the sugarcane spiral bound pads from Staples because they were so smooth.
1: http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/2064...
Personally I have enjoyed my Pelikan... german made, huge ink reservoir and as far as these things go not excessively expensive.
Also as many others have pointed out, disposable pens let you get used to the fountain pen world first.
The point is that what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another.
Still can't get myself to move to pens though.
I also really like Zebra F-301 (and compatible) pens. Inexpensive enough to justify easily buying (and buying again when I lose them), good enough to be worth buying refills for. I keep at least a black one, and often blue, everywhere I am likely to need a pen (home desk, work desk, bag). And the F-301 Compact is often in my pocket when I don't have my bag with me.