CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW!!!

James Lileks, rants (as only he can) for all of us who wish people didn't loud-talk into their mobile phones...

"...the lady at the adjacent table is yelling into her cell phone. She does not realize that she is compensating for the lack of auditory feedback you get with normal phones. It?s why I make a point of talking softly on a cellphone in public, just to balance it out. And no one ever says excuse me.

There?s also a guy pacing the aisle of the caf?, talking on a cell phone. He?s very important. I wouldn?t have known that if he hadn?t stood and started talking. I?m glad he told us. I feel better just knowing that meeting is going ahead as scheduled. The entire caf? feels better. The entire caf? would also feel better if the skies parted, an angel descended, and smote him with a terrible flaming sword. Of course, one of us would have to pick up the phone and say ?better reschedule. Bob has been cleaved in twain by heavenly justice made flesh."

Whole rant here.