Cell Phones Cause Impaired Thinking - In Other People

As though clear thinking isn't hard enough for some of us, inconsiderate cell phone users make the process all but impossible. Not only that, they negate everything we ever taught our kids about respecting personal boundaries.

Here's an example. I was in the grocery store recently trying to decide between Progresso's Creamy Tomato and Savory Vegetable when I realized my mind had turned to fuzz. What should have been a five second interaction in the soup section was taking far too long. That's because a shopper standing several feet from me - I'll call him Mr. I'm-So-In-Love-With-My-Own-Highly-Resonant-Voice - was imparting the intimate details of his cell phone conversation to me. Yes, me. Right there in public, next to the MSG-free chicken broth, in a voice so loud he could have been a hog caller.

This guy - at least 35 years-old - was apparently making plans for the evening, going back and forth over what his little crowd wanted to do. I couldn't help putting in my two cents' worth:

Him: "Well, I think Grace would like to see a movie. Right. Uh huh. What do you want to do?"

Me: "I wouldn't mind seeing a movie, if that's what Grace wants to do."

Him: "What do you think about dinner? Ribs, maybe. Yeah, but we're having ribs at my birthday party next week. You coming?"

Me: "I didn't know I was invited, but ribs sound great."

At that point the guy headed around the corner to the next aisle. The one with the fruit cakes.

I figure if a person is talking that loudly, the conversation is up for grabs.

My first run-in with a cell phone user happened some years back at JC Penney's. I was with my daughter in the home furnishings department (extolling the virtues of 800 thread-count Egyption cotton sheets) when I noticed a woman talking to herself across the room. She was having such an animated conversation, gesturing to the bath mats and tank sets, that I thought she might be in need of medication. I really became concerned when she started walking back and forth like a caged animal.

We watched, unobserved, wondering if we should find a salesperson. Suddenly the woman came walking toward us, still talking her head off. That's when I saw a tiny telephone pressed next to her head, and realized that the world had changed forever

I did not get a cell phone until our youngest child was a sophomore in college (2006!). How did I last that long? Easy. I believe in healthy neglect. Actually, the older kids had land-lines. I figured if anything happened, I would hear about it.

The most annoying experience I have had to date was with an oblivious cell phone user on an airplane. This guy, about six-feet eight-inches tall and 300 pounds, felt compelled to share his extensive itinerary with his fellow passengers. His voice boomed inside the cabin as he announced his meeting schedule (he was quite booked up) and the results of several stock market investments. He also told us about a big bash his wife was throwing. This guy was so distracting I almost forgot my bag in the overhead.

And people complain if a baby cries? Give me a break.

Don't forget to love up your kids today.

Patti