I don't perform reality checks when I am in my dreams...b/c by the time I think I could be dreaming and bother to do an RC I'm already lucid so I don't bother. However I wanted to try this in my dream just to see how it felt...really bizarre!!! But it made my lucid alot more clear and realistic. So I would suggest doing it anyway.

If you are worried about doing RCs in real life without looking nice an ass try a RC that isn't so obvious. Then in your dream you can do the FTP still. I think the best RC when you are awake is to look at a digital clock or watch or something. That way people will have no clue what you are going. Good luck .