On a recent train trip from Norfolk to Connecticut I endured a curious behavior that I am sure is far more ubiquitous than I want to know about. Individuals having full conversations out loud on the phone so that everyone can hear. I object to this behavior for a variety of reasons which I intend to elaborate on below so if you are guilty of this garish behavior stop reading because you might get your feelings hurt.
REASON #1
It is rude. That is right I stated the obvious. This word is seldom used in our post Covid world where the rule of thumb is do whatever since we are doomed anyway but rudeness is a slippery slope toward chaos. Amongst the many reasons it is rude which I won’t digress into but the main one is that talking over people’s serenity is offensively dominating. You are subjugated to a boorish action that can only be dealt with by an unwanted and unnecessary conflict that results in an awkward resolution or a news event. Civil society should reserve conflicts in public to “karen” regulation via phone videos.
REASON #2
The calls are never that interesting. I am not above some juicy gossip but the loud banality of someone talking to their sister about planning their bratty niece’s birthday could surely be done in private. I also can do without the diagnosis of the mystery rash that showed up “in the shower this morning” and “no, I cant take a picture of it I am dressed on the train.” This half effort bores me to death because if he was willing to discuss it with everyone listening then commit to the process and take that pic. Anything less than 100% with a boring conversation seems pathetic because the least you could do if your assaulting my ears is be interesting.
REASON #3
Exposure- I appreciate the limits of all people including my own. People have interests and specialities that overshadow a general level of intelligence. Talking on the phone can expose a level of ignorance that should be hidden behind the veil of social sensitivity. During one sweet exchange my train mate declared “I am not sure where we are all I know is that we are going up.” Ok I might be a jerk but “up” well that is special. These glimpses into this person are akin to talking to someone when their zipper is down. It is not innately evil but it is definitely a first step toward an awkward exposure. we can be dumb in private where our shame is reserved for our pets and loved ones.
Albert R. Hartley
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