It wasn’t too long ago that when we saw someone talking to themself, we knew to steer clear because they were quite possibly some kinda mental case.
Cut to a few years later… and, as a society, we have done a 180 and now just assume they’re talking on their cell phone via a Bluetooth device.
Can’t say I feel too good about that cognizant about-face. It’s an assumption I try not to make.
For all we know, Babbling Bluetooth Boy isn’t really on the phone and, in reality, is some lunatic talking to one of the 18 voices in his head — Skippy, the disgruntled ice cream vendor whose imaginary truck is loaded with explosive Creamsicles, perhaps — plotting to overthrow the rent-a-cop squad that safeguards your building from Al Queda.
Even worse is when they’re just standing there listening, but you don’t realize it ‘cause you approached from the non-Bluetooth side. So you start talking to them like usual and they cut you off with that please-stand-by/index-finger-in-the-air thing.
Then about the time you start to figure it out, they grimace. Now what? Did they just get some bad news or bad gas? Hey, I don’t know where they ate lunch, so now I’m trying to decide whether to stand there and be patient or dive for cover.
But I do have a remedy that I believe should be implemented immediately. Anyone using a Bluetooth device should be forced to wear a sign around their neck that says “I’m not crazy, I’m just on the phone.”
