Is it a note-taking station? Is it a decoration only? Is it your regular journal? Is it a shopping list maker? Is it on display or tucked away?
I use mine to quickly write down ideas, so that I don’t get distracted by other things on a computer or have to wait for a computer to boot up. Other than that it’s a conversation piece and a decoration.
Edit, I forgot to include, I have a Royal like the one below. It was the cheapest one at the antique store, and it has worked perfectly for the 10+ years I’ve owned it.
Okay, that is nice and all, but what does your friend use it for??
Unknown to OP, it has now changed 11 hands over the years. Also unknown to OP, it is coming back to them as this year’s Christmas present. OP is going to be very happy about it.