Big brother is listening, and so is everyone else
Last night on the bus, the girl across the aisle from me was having a relatively loud phone conversation. This is not uncommon, unfortunately, but this instance was particularly interesting. The girl was merely setting up a massage appointment for a friend of hers, but what’s interesting is the amount of information that was tossed around.
Had I bothered to write this stuff down, I’d now know:
- This girl’s name and phone number
- The general areas in which she lives and works, based on her bus stops
- The friend’s name, conveniently spelled for me
- The friend’s phone number
- The general area in which the friend lives, “Oh, that’s perfect, she lives right near X”
- The name and location of the massage business where the friend will be, and what kind of services she’ll be getting, on June 22nd at 12:15pm
Seems like an awful lot of information. Certainly enough to create a problem.
“Hey Angie, fancy seeing you here! I’m Bob, a friend of Carrie’s, we met once a long time ago. Did you just a massage here? I’m on my way in, they have the best hot-stone treatments, you should try it. You just did? Wow, what a coincidence!”
Not only did I overhear this stuff, but so did 15-20 other people. I guess the point is, try to remember that you really don’t know who may be passively listening to your calls. No matter how benign the call may seem to you, maybe wait till you’re somewhere a bit more private? It’s smarter, potentially safer, and the people around you will appreciate it. Well, except for the stalkers.
And before you get on me for eavesdropping, go ride the bus for 2 hours a day crammed in with people who smell like Polo and curry sweat. The mind tends to wander, seeking out any form of distraction.
June 3rd, 2008 at 4:47 pm
I hate listening to other peoples phone calls! It always amazes me what someone will talk about around perfect strangers. I can understand wanting to talk on the bus to pass the time but geez, watch what you say!
June 3rd, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Obnoxious bores on cel phones make me insane. So, two words for you man (since I’m pretty sure you’re not a stalker): iPod & book.
As a longtime bus rider, these two magical devices have saved me no end of unpleasantness.
Although I still haven’t found an escape from the delicious aroma of polo and curry sweat besides picking my seat very, very carefully and looking surly.