Since you brought up ancient quotes, I think Shakespeare would fit nicely here. Cell phone conversations are full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

I'm a closet eavesdropper. I like riding buses or sitting on benches in a crowded mall or alone at a table in a restaurant and just listening. Other people fascinate me, and it's so wicked and delightful to catch for a little while a glimpse into someone else's life.

The only problem I have with cell phones is that I can only hear half; I want it all! I want to know what the kid did that got the mom so fired up, and what the kid's defense is; I want to see how the woman on the other end is reacting to the land-a-date BS the guy at my end is dishing out. I want played out drama without a script. Isn't that awful? I dated a guy once many decades ago who thought it'd be cool to have an eye on the end of his index finger, so he could peek around corners and up under things (yeah, he smoked WAY too much dope, but this eye amused me anyway). But I'd rather have a headset that amplifies, that I can direct toward a conversation and listen away, all for my sole amusement and nothing else.

I think people watching and cell phone conversations are two fabulous and hiliarious ways to pass the time. And, sometimes, you realize your life just isn't that bad.

The other day I sat on a plane and listened to the guy behind me tell someone about how (from the sounds of it) he was getting ready to fire most of his people. He also used his full name. It meant nothing to me, but it might have meant something to others.

People forget the world isn't their phone booth, and that others are listening. At least he didn't glare at people for being in earshot of him - I've seen people do that.

My favorite bit of overheard conversation lately, though, took place at Target of all places. A woman said, "And, did she know ANYTHING about Pope Pius?" A long pause, and then a tart comment: "Big surprise."

I can't even imagine the rest of that conversation.

The best thing about hearing only half the conversation is that you can imagine whatever you want being said on the other end.

I recently was in a waiting room and listened as this 70-something woman went on and on about how she really liked her old '88 (or perhaps Olds '88, because she wasn't enunciating clearly) and how it only had about 100k miles. But wait, she also has an old '91 (now I know Oldsmobile didn't make a model called the '91) that they drive all the time and they're really keeping the old '88 for spare parts of something happens with the '91. But the '88 needs some maintenance and she's not whether sure they should pay to get it done or get rid of the car. But if they get rid of it and something happens to the '91 they'll wish they had kept it .... Seriously, this conversation went on for more than 30 minutes.

Oh, and then there was the overheard dressing room conversation where a woman was telling a friend that her OB/GYN had told her she was out of eggs and quit trying. I understand wanting to share this upsetting news with a friend but with the other half dozen women who were in the vicinity of the dressing room? (And continuing the conversation in even more detail out among the clothing racks and displays.)

I don't get it. When I use my cell phone in public - such as waiting rooms - I'm off in a corner trying not to disturb anyone. If that's not possible, I keep the conversation as bland and brief as possible.

>>> If that's not possible, I keep the conversation as bland and brief as possible.

It is always possible -- as in not answering. Too often, we instinctively answer the phone when we really don't have to. Just because it rings doesn't mean we have to jump through hoops to answer it.

Someone I know recently received a call from an HR person who wanted to hire him. He didn't get the job because he told the caller he couldn't talk right then -- he was driving in heavy traffic. Huh? Then why did you answer the phone in the first place, dumbass?

Will

I agree about having the option of not answering, Will, however, I can think of some exceptions. Those would be calls from a child (no matter the age, they're still your child) or an aging parent. In both cases, they know not to call me at work for trivial matters. So, if the cell rings and it's them, I excuse myself and take the call.

Also, if you're stranded at an airport or in an ER waiting room for hours (which is where the old '88 conversation took place), there's no reason not to answer your phone. In the case of the ER waiting room, I conducted my calls in the most remote area of the waiting room - because there was a group of smokers outside and beyond them was a dark parking lot.

I generally don't answer my phone in noisy crowded places, or when driving. Of course there are exceptions: if my partner is calling during the workday (unusual, something's up), if it's the alarm company for the house, if it's the doggie day care when the pup is there, if it's my parents (they never call, I call them). But otherwise... that's what voicemail is for.

I generally don't answer my phone in noisy crowded places, or when driving. Of course there are exceptions: if my partner is calling during the workday (unusual, something's up), if it's the alarm company for the house, if it's the doggie day care when the pup is there, if it's my parents (they never call, I call them). But otherwise... that's what voicemail is for.

I try to plan ahead and disable my ringer, or turn it off altogether at times when I know I don't want to answer. But like everybody else, I have those moments when I think I absolutely must answer. Sometimes I do; most times I don't.

Will

Will, I don't think I'd want to work for a company that based the hiring decision on one rushed cell phone conversation. I applaud the person for not wanting to talk on the phone while driving, though. Would that more people would just shut up and drive!

Greg -- but then he shouldn't have answered in the first place . . .

I wish I could find cell phone conversations amusing, but they are part of my transition to a grumpy old man. Ninety-nine percent of the conversations I hear are, "I'm on the bus . . . yeah . . . it's crowded . . . yeah . . . I hear ya . . . yeah." Then there are those who haven't a clue that it's rude to chat away stupidly when in line to order food or to pay. Yesterday, an idjit was blathering into her phone at the front of a line to order food. She didn't know it was her turn, and THREE (hungry) people had to work to get her attention. She kept talking as she ordered, and didn't realize the person was asking if she wanted lettuce, tomato, etc., so someone actually bopped her on the shoulder. Meanwhile, she took about three times longer to serve than anyone else, and the already long line kept building while she held onto her phone and fumbled for money with one hand. And this oh-so-compelling conversation wasn't exactly crisis communications. It was a "hi, how you doing" chit chat. GRRR. It really disturbs me deeply when people are thoughtless and rude and NEVER have a clue.