Am I Becoming a Grumpy Old Man?
08-24-18, 07:31 PM
#1
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Am I Becoming a Grumpy Old Man?
The other day I was in the grocery store and someone was talking on their cell phone about personnel issues in their business loud enough for all within 5 feet to hear. I started to comment on what he was saying to my wife and the guy shot me dead with his scowling eyes.
I see it as he put it out there in the public square, the information is public and all are free to use it or talk about it. Am I becoming a grumpy old man or should people shut up and keep their conversation about whatever private?
I see it as he put it out there in the public square, the information is public and all are free to use it or talk about it. Am I becoming a grumpy old man or should people shut up and keep their conversation about whatever private?
08-24-18, 07:43 PM
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The other day I was in the grocery store and someone was talking on their cell phone about personnel issues in their business loud enough for all within 5 feet to hear. I started to comment on what he was saying to my wife and the guy shot me dead with his scowling eyes.
I see it as he put it out there in the public square, the information is public and all are free to use it or talk about it. Am I becoming a grumpy old man or should people shut up and keep their conversation about whatever private?
I see it as he put it out there in the public square, the information is public and all are free to use it or talk about it. Am I becoming a grumpy old man or should people shut up and keep their conversation about whatever private?
But then again, what exactly was he going to do about? Anyway, once you're over 50, you can be as much a flinty, curmudgeonly, grumpy old SOB as you want. It's one of the pleasures of aging.
08-24-18, 07:44 PM
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Certain things bother us more when we are older. We like things to be safe, comfortable, and predicable, When was the last time you heard of someone in their 20's calling the cops about a loud party?
Loud parties, loud conversations, loud cars and motorcycles, and loud music just don't seem to bother young people as much as they do older people. I'm with you, people shouldn't have loud phone conversations in public. People who drive loud cars and loud motorcycles, and have loud parties should go to jail if they don't cut it out.
If you're angry and inconvenienced, let it be known politely and respectfully. And THEN call the cops (who won't do anything).
Loud parties, loud conversations, loud cars and motorcycles, and loud music just don't seem to bother young people as much as they do older people. I'm with you, people shouldn't have loud phone conversations in public. People who drive loud cars and loud motorcycles, and have loud parties should go to jail if they don't cut it out.
If you're angry and inconvenienced, let it be known politely and respectfully. And THEN call the cops (who won't do anything).
08-24-18, 07:51 PM
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How incredibly old school ... talking on a cell phone!!
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08-24-18, 08:02 PM
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I would have started making fun of the guy and his conversation. Maybe give him some suggestions too.
08-24-18, 08:37 PM
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I blast AC/DC at high decibels so I hear no cell phones at all 
but yes you are a grumpy old man 
no need to worry about that.
but yes you are a grumpy old man no need to worry about that.
08-24-18, 08:58 PM
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The other day I was in the grocery store and someone was talking on their cell phone about personnel issues in their business loud enough for all within 5 feet to hear. I started to comment on what he was saying to my wife and the guy shot me dead with his scowling eyes.
I see it as he put it out there in the public square, the information is public and all are free to use it or talk about it. Am I becoming a grumpy old man or should people shut up and keep their conversation about whatever private?
I see it as he put it out there in the public square, the information is public and all are free to use it or talk about it. Am I becoming a grumpy old man or should people shut up and keep their conversation about whatever private?
They shouldn't have cell phones in public, let alone use them for anything other than placing a 911 call in the case of a severed artery or something equally life-threatening.
As for the discussion, they should type it on parchment, put it in an envelope, seal it with wax, and affix postage, and send it on its way.
08-24-18, 09:01 PM
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08-24-18, 11:00 PM
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Yes.
Yes.
But, don't worry; with the encroachment of tinnitus and hearing loss you will no longer be troubled by other's conversations.
Now excuse me, I have to go yell at a cloud.
But, don't worry; with the encroachment of tinnitus and hearing loss you will no longer be troubled by other's conversations.
Now excuse me, I have to go yell at a cloud.
08-25-18, 03:24 AM
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The only thing that goes into the one bottle cage on my bike is a large UE Boom bluetooth speaker that I crank up while I ride 
Nobody other than myself hears it for more than about 5 seconds unless they are drafting me uninvited(which I don’t mind)
Keep your public noise sensitivities to yourself I say.
Nobody other than myself hears it for more than about 5 seconds unless they are drafting me uninvited(which I don’t mind)
Keep your public noise sensitivities to yourself I say.
08-25-18, 03:30 AM
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I was on a bus in Nairobi a couple of years back. The guy next to me was arguing loudly on his phone. "No!" he shouted, "It's not W.O.M.B. The spelling is W.O.M.B.A. WOMBA" This went on for a couple of minutes so I finally tapped him on the shoulder and put him straight. "Sorry, your friend is right. The correct spelling is W.O.M.B. Womb."
He turned to me with a look of utter disdain and said, "You don't know what you're talking about man. I bet you've never even HEARD an elephant fart."
He turned to me with a look of utter disdain and said, "You don't know what you're talking about man. I bet you've never even HEARD an elephant fart."
08-25-18, 06:27 AM
#12
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The other day I was in the grocery store and someone was talking on their cell phone about personnel issues in their business loud enough for all within 5 feet to hear. I started to comment on what he was saying to my wife and the guy shot me dead with his scowling eyes.
I see it as he put it out there in the public square, the information is public and all are free to use it or talk about it. Am I becoming a grumpy old man or should people shut up and keep their conversation about whatever private?
I see it as he put it out there in the public square, the information is public and all are free to use it or talk about it. Am I becoming a grumpy old man or should people shut up and keep their conversation about whatever private?
08-25-18, 06:31 AM
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Yesterday, I was sitting in a large building atrium and there was only one elderly lady in the vast room. I needed to make a business call so I asked her if she minded and promised to keep it short. The lady looked astounded and shocked that I would ask.
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08-25-18, 06:59 AM
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I was on a bus in Nairobi a couple of years back. The guy next to me was arguing loudly on his phone. "No!" he shouted, "It's not W.O.M.B. The spelling is W.O.M.B.A. WOMBA" This went on for a couple of minutes so I finally tapped him on the shoulder and put him straight. "Sorry, your friend is right. The correct spelling is W.O.M.B. Womb."
He turned to me with a look of utter disdain and said, "You don't know what you're talking about man. I bet you've never even HEARD an elephant fart."
He turned to me with a look of utter disdain and said, "You don't know what you're talking about man. I bet you've never even HEARD an elephant fart."
08-25-18, 07:05 AM
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He left out the punchline! I won't ruin the joke, but it involved a garden hose and a jar of Grey Poupon Mustard.
08-25-18, 08:19 AM
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08-25-18, 08:26 AM
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In all seriousness ... I ask myself the same thing every day.
I remember listening to old people (anyone 10 years older than I) wax poetic about the way things "were" and how spoiled and clueless we were. And I thought ... yea, right.
Now I see what they are talking about.
Change is always a two sided coin. It's good. And it's bad.
For example, cellphones are great. You can call 911 from anywhere, keep track of your kids, and stay in touch. But then again, there is the texting and driving. The rudeness. The isolation from people focusing on that little screen instead of heeding Yoda's advice to stay in the present where you are.
We take the good, and rue the bad. The young take the good for granted and are clueless about the bad. They simply don't know any better.
Which is why you and I yell at the clouds.
I remember listening to old people (anyone 10 years older than I) wax poetic about the way things "were" and how spoiled and clueless we were. And I thought ... yea, right.
Now I see what they are talking about.
Change is always a two sided coin. It's good. And it's bad.
For example, cellphones are great. You can call 911 from anywhere, keep track of your kids, and stay in touch. But then again, there is the texting and driving. The rudeness. The isolation from people focusing on that little screen instead of heeding Yoda's advice to stay in the present where you are.
We take the good, and rue the bad. The young take the good for granted and are clueless about the bad. They simply don't know any better.
Which is why you and I yell at the clouds.
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08-25-18, 01:31 PM
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Well part of growing old for me was loosing my hearing. I've lost well over 50% of my hearing. I live in a very quiet world. I can't her people over 10' from me. I have a hearing aid but don't use it very often, they don't help very much. So people can talk on their phones or turn up their stereos as they want as want it doesn't bother me.
08-25-18, 01:52 PM
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08-25-18, 01:53 PM
#21
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Glad to read that there are other posters besides myself out here who are feeling crankier then normal. Lol these are the good old days for some people. It’s funny when I entered the the working world 40+years ago older co-workers lamented about the “good old days”. My son is about to go into the same field and it’s all I can do not to be commenting on my “ good old days” and tell him of think of anther line of work.
08-25-18, 02:22 PM
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I always figured it meant that they're self-absorbed neurotic idiots, and they want to make sure that the world knows about it. So getting mad or saying something would just help them out with that.
08-25-18, 02:26 PM
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It is polite to keep comments about other people quiet, and away from them.
But... I suppose it would be fitting for someone airing their dirty laundry on the cell phone to also get those quiet comments loud enough that they can hear them.
But... I suppose it would be fitting for someone airing their dirty laundry on the cell phone to also get those quiet comments loud enough that they can hear them.
08-25-18, 05:15 PM
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I was on a bus in Nairobi a couple of years back. The guy next to me was arguing loudly on his phone. "No!" he shouted, "It's not W.O.M.B. The spelling is W.O.M.B.A. WOMBA" This went on for a couple of minutes so I finally tapped him on the shoulder and put him straight. "Sorry, your friend is right. The correct spelling is W.O.M.B. Womb."
He turned to me with a look of utter disdain and said, "You don't know what you're talking about man. I bet you've never even HEARD an elephant fart."
He turned to me with a look of utter disdain and said, "You don't know what you're talking about man. I bet you've never even HEARD an elephant fart."
08-25-18, 05:18 PM
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Trigger Happy TV milked that shtick dry years ago.
Just tell the louder talkers it's still rubbish.
Just tell the louder talkers it's still rubbish.