Speak softly and carry a decent cell phone
It was somewhat embarrassing to the entire group.
As soon as the plane touched down in Dallas, over the sound of seatbelt buckles clicking, one could hear the strange electronic melodies of cell phones ringing and dialing.
I was at the back of a very full 737, about four rows from the rear. It was taking quite some time to empty the passengers on to the jet way so we were all standing, necks bent to avoid hitting the luggage racks, holding our suitcases, waiting.
In the last row, a rather shameless man was having an animated, very loud, extremely itimate conversation with "Baby." He made no attempt to lower his voice; it was almost as if he did not realize 100 other souls were sharing his space.
"Hey baby, I'm in Dallas. I can't wait to see you. No, don't be that way Baby. You know I love you. Come on Baby, daddy loves you. I know. I know. But I promise, as soon as I get the divorce. No really. I want to be with you. It's just, you know, I've got to finish what I started. Come on Baby. Please understand. Of course I do. Really I will…"
I glanced at the man next to me; he looked at me. We both pretended we couldn't hear Baby and Daddy in their disagreement, but a slight shake of my head and a quick smirk from him said otherwise.
I live on a cell phone (quietly); I don't have a problem with them. So, what's the deal? Why do some people think they can have the most intimate, personal conversations in crowds and no one will notice? Is it they want us to know? Do they not care?
I just don't get it.
Comments
About " I live on a cell phone (quietly)... I heard a joke the other day wherein a an old man passed gas in church then whispered to his wife "it's ok, it was a quiet one". To which she replied "you need new hearing aid batteries"...
Posted by: Tom Rogers | February 13, 2006 04:38 PM
I have a cell phone, but I don't give my number out. I originally got it to use when on a road trip. I like the privacy I get when driving, and it is one of the few times I can be 'unreachable' :)
I have the cell so hubby can call me (usually when I am in the grocery store he will call and say 'can you pick up some [whatever] on the way home? - I say, it's already in the cart :). Also so I can call home when I lock my keys in the car :o, but mostly so I can call and catch a customer home when I am out delivering.
I have a [pay ahead] phone, and I use about 200-250 minutes a year. Does it make me feel important? - YES :) but not THAT important !
Posted by: Becky Carr | January 27, 2006 08:13 AM
I think it has to do with some kind of ego thing with a lot of people. They impress themselves by thinking they're impressing others with having business that appears so urgent they have to deal with it right then and there.
Same with people driving cars and talking on cell phones. Sure, some people do it just to fill the time. But I think there's more than a few that feel important that they're dealing with something they feel is so urgent it can't wait until the get to where they're going.
Of course, there's likely also a few that can't stand the thought of being alone with their own thoughts for more than two minutes, as well.
Posted by: Fred Mangels | January 26, 2006 06:50 AM