In the words of Kathleen Kelley, played by Meg Ryan in You’ve Got Mail, “What’s so wrong about being personal... Whatever else anything is, it ought to begin by being personal.” I’ve noticed that in this age of electronic devices, we are losing the desire, and possibly the ability, to be personal. We can send email, text messages, tweet, update Facebook, and read blogs, and we never have to say a word to another person. Personal conversation. It’s becoming a lost art, going the way of the handwritten letter.
While in Target recently, I passed people on the phone, some talking loudly, some not so obviously, but in their own little world, taking up space where I needed to be while they were stopped and in the middle of a full gossip session. While making my purchase, the person in front of me talked on her phone the whole time she was being checked out, hardly sparing a glace (much less a word) to the cashier. The person behind me was also on the phone. I was in the middle of two loud one-sided phone calls. It was rude to everyone within hearing range, and especially to the cashier…and yes, even to me.
Then there are the folks with the hands free devices, walking around seemingly talking to themselves. And the Blue Tooth pieces stuck on the ear? Perhaps they could reconsider if their phone calls are really that important! Can we leave our house without a cell phone? I’ve gone back into my house (after locking it up) to get my phone when I’m only going 1.5 miles down the road! (And I’d probably do it again.)
Since we live in a free country, they are free to talk on their phones, and I am free to think they are rude. I rate a loud cell phone conversation (in a restaurant, store, or workplace..or any public place) right up there with being subjected to a glaring backside of someone who doesn’t realize that the waistline of their pants isn’t on their hips!
totally agree with you! It seems like every week at church a cell phone will go off during the sermon. Makes you wonder how we ever survived without all this technology. But the thing is, we survived and we did it pretty well. We used to take walks and not be on the cell phone, but enjoyed the scenery and a few quiet moments to ourselves. We were able to unwind better I think too without that constant thought of a phone going off during a movie, etc. I just carry mine when walking the dog or driving by myself some place. I don't take it inside stores, etc.
ReplyDeleteAnd texting.....I saw a report on CNN a few weeks ago about how parents of teenage kids were learning how to text because their kids wouldn't pick up the phone if the parents called but would read and respond to a text. (I told son if he ever didn't pick up the phone when I called, we would stop paying for the phone :) (that is of course he is able to, not in middle of meeting, etc, but you know what I'm talking about)
I think the world would be a simpler gentler place with less technology (and we would have more jobs since technology seems to be doing a lot of the things people used to do in the past)
betty
okay, I commented and it said it was published, but I don't see it here :(
ReplyDeleteI'll check back to see if it posted; I do agree 100% with what you said!!
betty
Yeah so I when I went to court the other day no one was talking but everyone was texting.... BUT worse..... There was some lady that came in there and she was loud and rude and i thought that was bad until some guy came in super late and proceeded to tell the whole court room how dat guh pinned dis on him and he wudn't no daddy to hur bebe. RUDE!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm in complete agreement!!
ReplyDeleteIt isn't just you. You are exactly right here. Very well put. ~Mary
ReplyDeleteI came via Cate´s blog. Your blog post is so right on! It´s a huge pet peeve of mine as well!
ReplyDeleteIt´s just too bad, those people won´t be reading this post.... :)