by Brianna Popsickle

Created on: April 30, 2009

A nasty cut on the bottom of my foot landed me in the after-hours clinic. My husband told me to take a book along since the wait time was usually a couple of hours.

Knowing there were always plenty of others waiting, I decided to forego the book. I've had some of the most interesting conversations with people I've met while waiting for appointments or meetings.

I was one of seven people waiting. I looked around deciding who to make eye contact with, perhaps flash a smile his or her way, strike up a conversation; only no one was looking up. Why? Because everyone except for me, and a little blue haired lady on the other side of the room, were either listening to an iPod or texting on their cell phone.

What's wrong with this picture? Who are they texting? What are they saying? What's wrong with me? Why wasn't I texting someone? The fact that my cell phone was sitting in a drawer at home had something to do with it. I only purchased it to use on road trips in case of an emergency. Apparently though, I am not the norm. Everyone uses their cell phone, all the time.

I hate when I start talking to someone only to get a blank stare before I realize they have earphones in and can't hear a word I'm saying. I hate when I'm talking with someone and they interrupt me to answer their cell phone. I get annoyed when I'm in a theatre and a phone goes off. I get a little bitchy when co-workers send personal text messages during a business meeting. I'm frustrated when I'm talking to someone and they say, " I got a beep, hold on." "Hello, I was talking to you first!" Am I the only one who thinks this is rude behavior?

The other day I was using the photo kiosk at Wal-Mart. Two people on either side of me were talking on their cells, while printing their photos. It would be one thing if they kept their voices down, but they don't. Before my order was finished I knew Aunt Mary was having gall bladder surgery, Brian was having financial difficulty, and Sylvia's husband was having an affair. I wanted to say, "For God sakes, let's go for coffee and talk about this. I'll solve all your problems and Sylvia's too."

Frustrated, I left Walmart to do the grocery shopping. A car just about clipped me in the parking lot, the driver was yakking on her phone. I got to the grocery store and dodged shoppers in the middle of the aisles on their phones, probably calling home to see if they should buy the plain cheerios or honeynut. Cell phones are driving me crazy!

Ever been in a room when a phone goes off?

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