Don't Peeve Me

Lately, a lot of my peeves tend to revolve around cellphones. For instance, I have to complain about those homicidal taxi drivers who carry on angry conversations while weaving in and out of traffic as customers bounce around in the back seat. There should be a rant-only blog somewhere devoted to taxi drivers and their "Death Proof " ways.

A major peeve of mine is the random cell phone user in public spaces for instance, trains or quiet little cafes. Some of this conversations are so tedious that I want to jump out of the window, hopefully into the path of a train moving in the opposite direction.

A typical cellphone conversation on the train to New Jersey:

"Hey. What's up, loser? [pause for answer] I'm just on the train. Ugh. I'm bored. [pause] Did you really? No, I said I'm on the train. I'm so bored. [pause] So we drinking tonight? [pause]..."

This can go on for two hours or until everyone's head explodes. Now that I think about it, this could be an enemy weapon used on commuters...

Other conversations are hilariously appalling like the one that I overheard in a cafe a few days ago. Just imagine it, a 20 something, hot pants wearing female, let's call her GIRL #1 , is drinking expensive wine with all of her "best friends." They abruptly leave her to do some shopping. After pouting for a few minutes, she whips out the cellphone. Mind you, I'm trying to read an FT article on global warming so some people might hate my type too.

Girl #1
Thanks for the necklace, mom. And the bracelet. It is sooo cute.
I love it. Did you mean to give me both? Anyway, I love it, it is so cute.

Okay, so that isn't so bad. It is always nice to hear someone say thank you.

By now Girl #2 sits down with her and although it is obvious that they are friends, she too gets onto a call. The rest of us quiet readers roll our eyes. A few minutes pass before I pay any attention and Girl #1 is on the line with her father.

Girl #1
You need to take out another loan for me. Just do it. Just do it! I can't believe you. [said in between sips of wine] Mom sold a car and gave me the money. She was just fine with that!

By the time she gets off the phone, she and her friend spend the next fifteen minutes ranting about her cheap father. Then they decide to go shopping, because it is still such a lovely day.