Carrie Link

SHUT UP AND DRINK YOUR DAMN COFFEE!

I'm sorry that this blog is even necessary. I thought the issue of rude cell phone users had been covered ad nauseum. I believed there was a general understanding amongst civilized beings with regard to using a cell phone in public places. Apparently, I am wrong, super wrong.

Yesterday I dropped my son off at occupational therapy, and sped to my nearest Starbucks to quietly enjoy the 50 minutes I had to myself for that day. I ordered my drink, found a seat, and was immediately accosted by the LOUD, annoying and long conversation by a fellow coffee lover. He took over a table for four, and looked as though he'd been there for days, and had no plans for leaving. He had his laptop, papers, snacks and drinks strewn all over. Fine. Take a table for four all day, that's Starbuck's problem, not mine. BUT THE LOUD TALKING? Oh my God! It went on, and on, and on. The poor person on the other end couldn't get a word in edgewise. The other patrons kept shooting him dirty looks, but nothing, his decibels didn't alter. Finally, in my passive aggression, I harrumphed, dramatically packed up my things and left. I moved to my car, which was parked right out the culprit's window, and sat there staring at him. Still nothing. Complete oblivion.

What's a person to do? Should I have said, "Excuse me, would you please lower your voice?" Should I have asked a Starbucks employee to bodily remove him? What? Is this the new exhibitionism? Streaking is so 70's, is the thing to do now just hold court on your cell phone while everyone is held prisoner? Is this how we get the attention we missed as children? What the hell?