The other day I was at the doctor’s office, waiting to be seen. There’s roughly 50 people sitting there, waiting quietly, doing various “waiting” activities: reading, listening to music, watching TV, staring blindly into space, napping.
After a few minutes, a 40-something guy walks in to the waiting room, sits down, pulls out his smart phone, and begins to watch a movie. Thing is, he didn’t bother to use his headphones – so whatever stupid movie he was watching, we all had to hear it. Who does this guy think he is? If you forgot your headphones, then don’t watch a movie that requires audio. Rude.
Rather than saying anything to him, I watched patiently. Nearly everyone was distracted by him. Most gave him dirty looks (to which he was oblivious). Some people whispered to each other, pointing him out. Clearly, everyone was bothered by this guy and his “smart” phone blaring. And I continued to watch, and eventually was called in by the doctor.
Question is: who’s dumber? Is it the man using his phone to watch a movie without headphones? Or the 49 people in the room who won’t ask him to turn it off?
