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It is rather amazing to me that there are now signs aboard public transportation that request patrons respect others by not engaging in lengthy conversations on their cell phones. This, to me, is an absurd request and indicates a pathological mindset being adopted by leaders.

Requesting that riders respect others by using headphones to play music is understandable since it is merely a form of entertainment and is not universally acceptable in all respects. On the other hand, speech communication is universal and is a daily requirement for all people. To cater to the whims of persons who are intolerant to others, and request that patrons not talk in their presence,  is maniacal. Lines being drawn in such a manner will always slowly, and almost unrecognizably, encroach upon all persons’ freedoms and liberties.

A person can talk on their cell phone for hours next to me and I don’t care, but then I am not a selfish malcontent who is jealous of other peoples lives, or unhappy with my own life and incessant of preventing others from living theirs peacefully. I do not care that I can’t hear the other half of the conversation, nor do I care what they are saying, sometimes I just pretend they are talking to Bigfoot…etc. I do notice the irritated looks people give a pretty girl who is engaged in a passionate conversation with her boyfriend, it is like a form of jealousy.

I see the hateful and divisive nature of those who spread their own personal intolerance of others. These people capitalize on the likelihood that many other people also desire some sort of angry outlet to appease the frustration caused by their inability to deal with the pressures of modern life. Most people would rather lash out than look inside and take the chance that they will see that they have no right to prevent someone else’s existence. Or that they are just displeased with the situation because of their own personal problems or beliefs.

Offensive behavior should be avoided, and all persons have the right to be unmolested in their lives; to posit that this crosses the line into the arena of personal preference is nonsense.