Although I just may have a very private conversation on my mobile in a public space, my issue is not privacy it is indiscretion.
In the same way that too many people pick their noses while at stop signs, all too many people are unawares of their visibility.
I will stand there talking on the phone. I will stand there checking my BlackBerry. I will stand there and respond to text messages. I am not intentionally being disrespectful or rude: it just never occured — never occurs — to me that you exist.
Not that you’re invisible, per se, its just that I am preoccupied, I am self-centered, and I am actually being at my desk while I am moving from place to place.
Its not you, its me.
In religion, there is a practice called “Walking Prayer” wherein you remain mindful of God and mindful of Spirit in your every day.
In my case, I have a practice called “Walking Work” wherein I remain mindful of my tasks of the day, the projects at hand, the follow-up calls I need to make, the business opportunities I need to pursue, and the thank you cards I really need to write.
Okay, okay, you’re right. I am self-absorbed.
That I can be seen and heard. That in my actions I am invading, assaulting, and disturbing those around me?
It just doesn’t occur to me. It never occurs to me. Its not you, its me.
blog-on-nymity has a great article on the paradox of a person’s insatiable desire for privacy while still shamelessly airing very intimate, very private dirty laundry on a daily basis in public places:
“It seems that people believe when they are on a mobile or cell phone he or she has created a private bubble that protects them from the outside world yet that is a pre-conceived notion which anyone listening in knows is false.”
Interesting.
I believe, rather, that it comes down to not caring as people generally feel anonymous when they’re out an about. Privacy is not the issue here.
And here’s some great advice about just about any kind of upsetting, rude, indiscrete, appalling, or inappropriate interaction you have with just about anyone else, including your wife, girlfriend, son, daughter, mom, dad, or friends:
Its not you, its them.
