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by Doug Thews.
Original Post: The Self-Importance Factor
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I've been traveling 5 days a week every other week for the past 4 months, and have had a lot of time to make a very annoying observation. Most people are just way too self-absorbed - specifically involving cell phones.
I was in the airport restroom the other day, and this guy's phone rings in the stall and he feels that he's so important that he needs to not only answer it while on the can, but carry on a conversation! Do we really need to hear sales projections along with this guy's hints of the lack of a fiber-rich diet at the same time?
Then, there are the folks on the plane who just can't wait to turn on their phones & PDAs the minute the gear hits the ground for fear that they've missed something in the past 40 minutes (flight time from DFW to San Antonio). I haven't been on a flight in 4 months where at least 1 person hasn't been asked to get off the phone by a flight attendant while moving away from the gate. Again, anothe rinstance of look how important I AM.
Lastly, there are those people that cannot turn their phones off (ever), because they feel that they need to talk anytime anywhere.
Now, I admit, I used to carry a cell phone and keep it on all the time. Then, I thought about my quality of life, and realized that cell phones are great for "bullet conversations", but they've become way too much of either a status symbol (look how much time I need to talk on the phone, I must be important) or a symbol of how people cannot disconnect from work. So, I made the change and turn off the cell phone after hours, and I'm in no rush to get that phone turned on on the plane.
What you have to realize is that people got along just fine without cell phones for decades. When cell phones & pagers came out, they were first a status symbol, and then became a ball & chain to the work environment. When are we actually away from work? My advice to these poor souls is to try and shut off your cell phones in the bathrooms and while you're at home at dinner having quality time with the family. Believe me, work is a lot easier to replace than a family. Which is more valuable to you?
Oh, and for you self-importance finatics. I don't look at you and think how important you are. I actually pity you for being chained to your phone.
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