I've mentioned this before, as long-time readers may recall, but I've always been bugged when I see folks eating out that are totally ignoring one another (this didn't make the cut on my pet peeves page, but perhaps it should). I witnessed this while dining with my extended family last night:
The culprits are as follows:
- "A" is the mom, who is reading a paperback book while simultaneously listening to something on iPod-style headphones;
- "B" is the son, who is also listening to headphones which may or may not be plugged into the GameBoy he is playing;
- "C" is the other son, who is playing a GameBoy as well; he is hunched over since the GameBoy is on his lap (in the manner one attempting to conceal this would do, although there is clearly no need for concealment here);
- "D" stands for Dad, who is reading a newspaper; he extends the isolation by lifting the newspaper high enough to make a little wall around himself.
I should add at this point that food was on the table, and they were taking turns shoveling morsels in their mouth……so it's not like they were waiting for food and had simply run out of convivial conversation and delightful bon mots.
What's wrong with these people? I imagine the drive to and from the restaurant was stone-silent as well (although the father probably had the good sense to put the paper down while actually driving). What a lonely, miserable existence.
I really should get back on my meds.
