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       The Blast

Wilbur's Suburbo: Chapter One

3/28/2018

6 Comments

 

                                                                        Chapter One: Groceries
                                                                                         Page Four


                                                  And while we're in that grocery line . . . ​(based on a true story)

             I know there are folks in NYC who will read this and say, "Hey, that happens here, too . . ." but from my experience, it was rare that someone would be on his/her phone when hitting the check out line.  For one thing, New Yorkers are always "in a hurry" and, secondly, other patrons would let the offender know quickly and loudly that the behavior was not acceptable.

                    In the suburbs, however, I have found quite the opposite.  Not only do folks unabashedly use their phones while on line, more shockingly (to me) --- other folks allow it.  Needless to say, yours truly has not broken all his "living in the City"  habits and my tolerance, as noted below, only goes so far.

         If, for some reason, you are someone who, for whatever reason (and unless it's a LIFE or DEATH emergency there is NO "acceptable" reason) uses his/her cellphone/smartphone while in the check out line: STOP IT!!!   Please remember there are other people on the planet and a) they do not need to hear your mindless blathering about the swatches you're considering for the drapes and b) they have places to go and do not need to have to wait until you are finished with your (egocentric) call.

                    Thanks for reading and thanks for putting the phone away in the check out line.

p.s.  For those of us "of a certain age," we remember when there actually a time when (believe it or not!) the world  revolved without having your phone attached to your hand every waking moment of the  day!   
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6 Comments
Jane sandstrom
3/28/2018 02:15:41 pm

Right on , Bill! I’m in total agreement!!

Reply
Bil Johnson link
3/28/2018 02:25:55 pm

Thanks! Hope all's well (aside from the phone people . . .LOL)

Reply
Jim Keys
3/29/2018 10:33:22 am

Being well into a "certain age," I have fond memories of life without a phone. Perhaps that is why I so frequently "forget" to take my cell phone with me (accidently on purpose?). Your skill with the panels tells the story -- worth 1000 words.

Reply
Bil Johnson link
3/30/2018 01:02:02 pm

When I was still teaching, my younger colleagues were horrified if I told them I forgot my phone at home (and didn't reverse myself and go get it!). Those of us who remember dial phones and "party" lines aren't as wedded to the tech, I guess.

Thanks for reading!

Reply
Jackson Blossom
4/3/2018 03:23:50 pm

You might do a panel on smartphone use at concerts and public events. Can one be in the moment concentrating on one's phone? Must we all be documentarians? Is it to record the memory, or tell the world you were there? What would Bil do at, say, a blues festival?

Reply
Bil Johnson link
4/4/2018 05:29:56 pm

Bil would take several pictures of the artist, for posterity, and then sit back and LISTEN, and enjoy the music.

Reply



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