Talk to Me Like a Cords Attached

A few weeks ago, a friend called me on his way to work. I’ll assume it was hands-free. We had a good conversation and as he pulled up to his building, I expected our talk to end. I was still in bed and he was starting his work day-two good reasons not to be on the phone. But apparently, I was mistaken.  He continued to talk to me as he entered the building, as he yelled “good morning” to co-workers, as he started to take on his first appointments…the conversation just kept going. When we finally hung up an hour later, I started to think that distracted driving isn’t the only downfall of mobile phones. We need to add distracted conversations to the list.  Sure, distracted conversations aren’t that dangerous. Lives probably aren’t at stake.  But trying to talk to someone that is distracted is down right annoying. 

I found myself longing for the good old days at my parent’s house.  When I was a teenager, I used to be so embarrassed by our telephone.   I felt that we were the only house that still had a rotary dial phone with a cord.  As everyone else bought the trendy new cordless phones in shades of white, grey, and black, my parents stuck to their guns. They always got the cheapest and easiest phone to operate. But you know what, I had many a good conversation on that phone. Those were the type of conversations that required you to cop a seat in a big chair, curl up in the bed, or lay out on the floor and just talk. You couldn’t cook and talk. There was no way to walk and talk. No driving, working, shopping, or running errands. You simply sat down and talked. Conversations were clear. Our minds were focused. No need to ask “Can you hear me now?” No traffic sounds, no radio music, and no sounds of footsteps.  Just conversation and laughs. I miss those days. 

I miss the attention that is supposed to come along with a telephone conversation.  It used to mean something to be on the phone with someone for a whole hour.

So, I am taking a stand (probably a few steps behind Oprah’s important stand on distracting driving). I’m standing up against distracted conversations.  They are all connected really.Not only are the mobile phone conversations and texts dangerous-they aren’t even good. I don’t want to talk to you while you are doing other things.  I’m tired of straining to hear you because you are standing near a construction site trying to talk on the phone. I’m done trying to stick with you while you fade in and out just to finally have the call dropped completely. I’m tired of all the misspelled words in the texts that you rush to send before the light turns green. Just call me when you get home. And when you do get home, please finish all of your tasks, have a seat on the couch, put up your feet, reach for the phone, and give me a call. And I will be somewhere on the other end, laying in my bed, sitting in a big chair or sprawled out on the floor talking to you like a cord is attached and feeling like I’m fifteen again.