When you’re in the middle of a medical emergency, your car breaks down or you’re running late for an appointment, the cellphone is man’s — and woman’s — best friend.
But I’m dropping a dime on cellphone users.
People have complained before about imbeciles using cells in restaurants and movie theaters. Saps who dial and drive are traffic hazards. When you become an unwilling “third party” to annoying, pointless conversation, caught in a swirl of dull nouns and verbs, cellphones become man’s — and woman’s — worst enemy.
I was riding the rails this past weekend, out to Rochester and back with Amtrak. Moron after moron pulled out his or her cellphone and went fishing for someone to a talk to. Here are some exact quotes:
“So. What’s goin’ on? No, nothing.”
“Hey. What’s happening? Yeah, it’s me.”
“Hi! I’m on the train! Oh, nothing. What about you?”
I can see calls to explain late trains, imminent arrivals or even picking up a pizza during the car ride home. But these are only 20-second spiels. Does anyone need needless noise pollution?
Next time, I’m bringing ear plugs. Or asking for my own private car!