Another Rant

Let me first start by saying that my ranting yesterday was really about common sense and courtesy, which seems to be lacking in today's society. One comment yesterday questioned my 'rules' about using the cell phone. You asked for it.

Cellphone Usage
Being of the older generation (AARP membership isn't that far away, darn it!) I can now rant about 'these kids today', just like our parents did BITD. (Back In The Day) But it really isn't always kids, this comes in all sizes, ages, races, religions, socio-economic levels. I think cellphone use is way out of line. Lets go back in time to the Land of Dinasours. My grandmother had a phone with no dial on it. She lived in a small community and was on a party line. You just picked up the phone and asked the operator to call someone. You could also pick up the phone and evesedrop on anyone's conversation. My parents had a rotary phone for years, and were on a partyline until the phone company called them and told them they were discontinuing the pricing on the partyline as my parents were the only ones on it. I read an article written years ago (Pre-answering machine) about how the telephone is truely a rude instrument. Someone can call and you are expected to drop whatever you're doing to take their call. You had no way of knowing who was calling, so you had to pick it up. Etiquitte said to let the phone ring a total of 4 or 5 times before you hung up, but if you were home, you had to pick up in 1 or 2 rings. (Don't ask Miss Manners, this is how we ran our household) My mother made every effort to answer any and all phone calls because 'You never know if it's an emergency'.
When I moved out into the world, answering machines were becoming envogue. I decided to let the machine do all the work for me, I'll answer when I can but I won't drop everything I'm doing. I still made every effort to answer the phone because lots of folks wouldn't leave a message.
So I made a decision not to be the slave of the telephone. I want to talk to people, but on my terms. I don't want to rush from the shower dripping wet to have a conversation with a charity. When cellphones started being used, I resisted for awhile. Why do I need one? If you want to talk, call me at home or at work (not so much, it isn't professional). (This was before email, also!) I finally got one because I was driving 40 miles one way from home to work and my car was getting older, I wanted to be able to make an emergency call if I needed. I didn't give out my number much, as I had an ancient phone with a type of battery that was stupid. You couldn't recharge it until it ran completely down, so everytime I had to use it, it was run down.
Lots of people today are getting away from the land line and using a cell phone exclusively. I'm not of that mindset. Again, I want to be in control of my time. Since I'm looking for a job, I don't want to get a phone call from a potential employer while I'm out shopping or (worse yet) enjoying adult beverages with friends. When I'm out with friends, I don't want to talk to anyone else unless you were invited. And by God, if I ever get a date who takes a phone call for any reason other than an emergency, the date ends there.
I don't understand the need to be in touch with everyone 24/7. What is so important that you have to know about right NOW? I've seen people leave shopping centers or work places, get in their car, and start to back out of their parking spot, all the while making a call. Just stay in the parking spot until your call is finished. You may think you're safe, but you can't back that big SUV out safely while on the phone. If you must call your wife when you leave the office, call her when you leave the office, not from the parking lot. And for God's sake, stay off the phone while driving! You don't drive safely when you're talking, even if you think you do.
When you are conducting business with another human being, stay off the phone. They deserve your attention, as do the people in line behind you. I watched a lady talk on her phone, try to put her credit card back in her wallet, put her wallet in her purse, then attempt to pick up her groceries, all the time trying to lean her phone on her shoulder. She held up the entire line trying to do this juggleing act! I had already finished with the next customer in line, and he was trying to get to the machine to swipe his card, but she was still talking on the phone and blocking the machine. And remember, the other party can hear your conversation. As a cashier, I really don't care about your brother being a real jerk, or that you're meeting Sue in an hour or that you have to get the secretary to re-fax some documents. I don't want to hear this, and I don't think you want me to hear this.
So just do something different today, and think about other people for a change. You can still get your way, but you can also make other people feel good too. It's not all about You.

Other rants
Don't get me started on kids with phones in schools.
Or protesting Dekalb police officers issues with shooting criminals.
Or political correctness.

Celebrity Sightings
I checked out Monica Pearson last night. I wasnt' sure it was her, her hair looked HORRIBLE, but another customer commented that it was her after she left. She is a tiny little lady, but her voice is strong, and she wished us all a Happy Holiday with a sincere smile.

More to come...
As things happen, I'll be posting. Thanks for taking the time to read. You're opinions are welcome but if you have to start calling me names, don't bother, I won't read them. As my Dad says 'Opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one.'