Technology Tantrum

     Everywhere I look, I see grown men and women taking advantage of today's technology, myself included. From cell phones to i-Pads to the very computer I post this blog with, and now the dawning of a new chaos: The Phone Frenzy!  Today I paid bills. No, I don't damage trees with paper billing and I'm tired of being a recluse in my home (Facebook addict, remember?), so my husband and I chose to venture outdoors today to give the piper his due.  Expecting to be greeted when I entered the businesses, (I am giving them money, the least they could do is acknowledge me, right?), I am faced with those who suffer from Bluetooth-itis. (Blue-tooth: n. Exterior device worn on the ear to make crazy people who talk to themselves fool others by making them THINK they are talking to someone real!) :) 

     You think I'm kidding but the sad fact: I am not.  On two separate occasions today, when entering the facilities of said pipers', a woman at one and a male at the other, were both carrying on complete conversations with no phone in sight, no eye contact to confirm they know I'm there or anything. Now, the old LaVonda would have merely paused, not giving them any information until they disconnected the call or at least put the call on hold. WARNING: This often causes wicked looks from the employees and definitely stirs the ones waiting behind you, so please, use this process at your own discretion.

     Today, I followed suit with the masses, wanting to create peace among fellow payees and to prevent the evil looks from the employees.  Passing my billing information behind the ceramic counter top to this overly anxious woman who appeared to be talking to herself, I watched as she punched some keys on a keyboard, printed out my receipt, handed me the change and not once, not one iota of a thank you, please come again, we appreciate your business, the sky is falling, NOTHING!

     *sigh*

     It felt as though I were a prisoner -- a part on a conveyor belt waiting to go to the next station to be manipulated and pushed on to the next.  I wonder if the world has noticed this or if it is just me? How can we be so caught up in our personal lives that we can't take the time to appreciate another human being? How can we change it? The fact is, only a select few do this. Of the 5 businesses I visited today, 3 were considerate, polite, well-mannered, and displayed a level of business and personal merit that made me feel welcome.  As for the other two, perhaps it was an important phone call that couldn't wait. Maybe it was something so dire that it had to be heard over my money. In any event, it is my mission to see exactly how many people do this on a regular basis. I will be visiting these businesses again next month to see if the same thing occurs... If it does, I may give them a dose of their own!!!

     Until Tomorrow,
     LaVonda