OK, so my mom and I are in Starbucks and patiently waiting our turn in the line, when I realize the hold up…both folks at the counter are on their cell phones while the poor barista is trying to communicate with them. Are they so important that they cannot get off the phone long enough to order their coffee/pastries? Does the person waiting on them mean so little to them that they must be rude and mean-spirited? It is obvious to them only that they are the center of the universe. It is obvious that no one or nothing matters to them, not even ordering their coffee…they must certainly matter to the person they are talking to on the phone or else why would it be stuck to their ear when they are at a public counter. This is the epitome of rude self centered grotesque behavior. You will matter more to me if you will smile, speak directly to me, and give me your attention. Then I will do everything I can to keep the smile on your face. But I will never do all I can to
keep the phone on your ear.
“Do I matter to you” is a concept that was conceived by an old friend of mine in his book “Things that really matter”. One of the things that should matter to us all is each other as human beings that care.
By the way, they never got off the phone from car to counter to car again…secure in their smug indifference. No one I wanted to know anyway…
Very well said, I hate rudeness like that! when you talk to someone even if it is ordering a coffee, you talk directly to the person in front of you not the person on the phone. couldn’t agree more with you.
Nacheska, thank you for mentioning “Do I Matter To You” from my book “Stuff That Really Matters.” You’re right, when people are rude it is noticed. Fortunately, when they are kind they are also noticed.