The one expected occurrence that I didn't miss during my unemployment was the noise pollution in the daily commuting world. Citizens constantly on their cell phones, chatting unabashedly nonstop about sensitive matters regarding their work lives, even concerning their most personal intimate details.
It's not just their cell phone conversations that are rudely intrusive, but the in-your-face chatters in public domains, specially in the often crowded transit system. I've overheard conversations about time spent in jail, DUI arrests and pot sessions with fellow substance abusers. Quite honestly, such discussions are unwelcome and, if I may say, trespass personal space and boundaries.
I sorely miss the good old days when people conducted themselves with decorum and spoke gently, even in whispers, in public places. Nowadays, people have lost respect and consideration for others' sacred space.
Just recently, I was at a federal office to take care of a matter. It was one of those busy places where folks need to take a number in order to be served. As I waited my turn, the mobile phone of the young man who sat next to me rang... and rang... and RANG. The ring tone called unwanted attention, reverberating in the crowded room, and inspired the people there to shoot daggers looks in the cell phone owner's direction. It was not only loud, but had a wild tone that one can expect in a disco bar. The two security officers kept looking in his direction, perhaps telepathically sending him a message to shut off the annoying sound. You see, there's a notice in the room demanding that cell phones be turned off. The offender didn't look concerned nor embarrassed and seemed lost in his own world. Finally, one of the officers walked over to remind him to keep his cell phone quiet.
The same case happens all too often in the public transit system. Although a sign is posted in buses to keep cellular conversations down, passengers seem not able to grasp its meaning nor respect other passengers' right to a quiet commute. Just the other day, one man called all of his contacts and girlfriend throughout the trip, allowing everyone to know what his evening plans were... a two-hour session to get his dreadlocks done and some quality time spent with his significant other.
I, and perhaps many folks, wish that people would be more inclined to think of others before they commence a marathon phone chat in public. For the working world, the commute to and from their workplaces give them a chance to meditate and regroup before and after a day at work. Arriving at our workplaces throw us into a busy grind and coming home sometimes mean unbridled time spent with family and household chores. The daily commute provides a precious ME time even for just a moment.
For people like me who crave a mental rest and respite from the work jungle just left behind, our fervent wish is that the citizens of the commuting world would have the respect to give us that often infrequent, but much yearned for, rare luxury.
It's not just their cell phone conversations that are rudely intrusive, but the in-your-face chatters in public domains, specially in the often crowded transit system. I've overheard conversations about time spent in jail, DUI arrests and pot sessions with fellow substance abusers. Quite honestly, such discussions are unwelcome and, if I may say, trespass personal space and boundaries.
I sorely miss the good old days when people conducted themselves with decorum and spoke gently, even in whispers, in public places. Nowadays, people have lost respect and consideration for others' sacred space.
Just recently, I was at a federal office to take care of a matter. It was one of those busy places where folks need to take a number in order to be served. As I waited my turn, the mobile phone of the young man who sat next to me rang... and rang... and RANG. The ring tone called unwanted attention, reverberating in the crowded room, and inspired the people there to shoot daggers looks in the cell phone owner's direction. It was not only loud, but had a wild tone that one can expect in a disco bar. The two security officers kept looking in his direction, perhaps telepathically sending him a message to shut off the annoying sound. You see, there's a notice in the room demanding that cell phones be turned off. The offender didn't look concerned nor embarrassed and seemed lost in his own world. Finally, one of the officers walked over to remind him to keep his cell phone quiet.
The same case happens all too often in the public transit system. Although a sign is posted in buses to keep cellular conversations down, passengers seem not able to grasp its meaning nor respect other passengers' right to a quiet commute. Just the other day, one man called all of his contacts and girlfriend throughout the trip, allowing everyone to know what his evening plans were... a two-hour session to get his dreadlocks done and some quality time spent with his significant other.
I, and perhaps many folks, wish that people would be more inclined to think of others before they commence a marathon phone chat in public. For the working world, the commute to and from their workplaces give them a chance to meditate and regroup before and after a day at work. Arriving at our workplaces throw us into a busy grind and coming home sometimes mean unbridled time spent with family and household chores. The daily commute provides a precious ME time even for just a moment.
For people like me who crave a mental rest and respite from the work jungle just left behind, our fervent wish is that the citizens of the commuting world would have the respect to give us that often infrequent, but much yearned for, rare luxury.
