How's Your Air Space?

There's a Jerry Seinfeld episode where he commiserates with his pals about a certain acquaintance of theirs being a "loud talker". You know, the one everyone can hear from across the room?

 While sitting in a cafe trying to do some research using their free Wi-Fi, I was recently treated to my most recent "loud talker". And don't be fooled, I think I attract more than the national average. This foghorn was with two other co-workers, but only her voice banged into the air. If I didn't know better, I would have thought she was giving a monologue. When her banter moved to the birth stones on her necklace for her niece and grandchildren, out came my ear buds! I don't even know the birth stones of my own children and she could list names and family tree positions.

 Just because I wasn't interested in hearing all of this doesn't mean she isn't entitled to have any kind of conversation she would like. Go ahead. Carry on. Just please do it at a decibel that includes only the people at your elbow.

 Then there are the "cell phone loudies". Oh my gosh, they are even worse because they are walking around spreading their cheer from aisle to aisle without a care in the world. You can't escape them, they probably need the same items you do. The only thing to do is leave your cart and come back another day. They prattle on without a care in the world taking care of their business, whether it is about their coming plans or some meeting they didn't like. We all get to hear it.

 What about the "movie theater talkers"? I had the good fortunate to sit in front of a set of them once and when they didn't lower it once the movie started, I politely asked them to be quiet so others could hear. Instead, they had the decency to sit behind me and talk about how rude I was.

 Remember when you weren't supposed to talk in libraries? That probably dates me because now that is just plain an oxymoron.

 Here's a fun one for you. It happened on the same day I was in the cafe sitting in my booth. It seems the lady behind me was somewhat acquainted with the lady two booths in front of me. You guessed it - they held a reunion speaking right over my head! I was clearly face-down on my iPad (not playing Candy Crush Saga) and no one was with me. Perhaps they thought they were helping me out because surely I must be lonely? Or, did I accidentally turn on my cloaking device again?

 Finally, this diatribe would not be complete without a mention of the "foghorn mom". You know her, she yells so loud at her kids in Target everyone winces and light fixtures rattle. We all get to hear how she "means it this time", and how they aren't going to get a birthday party and how she's "had it". Your summer isn't complete without a few blasts from her.

 Ah, the power these passive-agressive-offenders have with their mere vocal cords...

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Confronting Insincerity in the Church

When we are at the grocery store, we can expect an unknown cashier to ask us how we are. Even the someone we are only slightly acquainted with who is just walking by and says "How are you?" as if it were really just a "Hello". They don't stick around to hear your answer, or if they do the only answer expected is a single word in the positive range. If by chance you are in pain, they didn't time their Q to stand by and hear some tale. So, most people respond just as insincerely with "fine." My pet peeve used to be this: people asking a question when they don't care or don't plan to engage in a conversation. As a young adult, I would almost bare fangs when this insincere "question" was lobbed my way. Now, I ignore it because I know that it translates (in North America anyway) as a longer version of "hello". I just give a big smile and agree by saying "hello" back. I've come to believe that this level of...
Read more

Fighting Against the Truth

Recently I watched the movie 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi.  A chronological account of the book written by some of the soldiers who defended a terrorist attack against Americans working in Libya on September 11, 2012. Despite repeated requests for help, our government did not provide it. Drones in the area showed the rain of bombs and bullets in real time, our citizens were outnumbered and under armed.  Four were killed. The White House issued a statement saying that the attackers were an angry mob reacting to an Internet movie about Muslims and arrested a filmmaker.  Our soldiers were able to hear the news and at least one was able to call home during the attack and tell his wife that what was going on had nothing to do with a movie. In the four years since this horrific incident, much has been published and debated about what did or did not happen that horrible day. This has become a polarizing topic depending on your political affiliation. You will eit...
Read more

They Prayed So Stop Judging You Other Sinner You

The hot topic trending on social media this week is the scoop about a ginormous reality family television show that has been a cable network staple for over a decade. They have so many kids they could form two baseball teams. The family is well-known as being Christian and clean cut. News was leaked that their eldest son as a young teen had sexually abused five young girls some ten years ago. Four being his sisters. Said son is now married with three kids of his own and another on the way. He states that he was wrong, has asked for forgiveness and even stepped down from a prominent public job in a Christian organization once the story broke. As a result of all the negative press, the network has now cancelled the family show. When his sister reported his molestation to his father, dad reported him to the police. Stories have surfaced on the various ways the family responded, where the teen was sent following his confession and how he was not legally charged. Over and over it ha...
Read more