Even though cellphones are not allowed in the school, every class period becomes a game of cat and mouse where all the students try to secretly send text messages from under the desk. It’s ridiculous. And then, when the administration confiscates cellphones, the parents storm in and declare that their child’s rights are being violated.

I am so not kidding.

Of course, I’m being flippant. Your point is well taken. I’m fairly young but I’m surprised how customers are treated as impositions rather than catered to. I don’t know how many times I’ve gotten attitude when I’ve pointed out they gave me the wrong amount of change (and almost never in my favor). They can’t believe I’d want the 75 cents and make them open the register to get it right. In those few rare instances they over-compensate the look of incredulity on their faces is even more stark when I try to give it back. It’s not, thank you for being so honest nobody’s honest anymore, it’s what are you an f’ing idiot for returning this. I think I might blog about this. You’ve inspired me Augie.

It’s not the technology that’s the problem — it’s the people using it. I agree that both the people in your examples need to have a Stupidity Tax applied to them. But you could also say that if they were chatting on the phone, that would also be bad form.

Personally, I thought I would never text message anyone. Then I started using it on occasion, and now I use it quite a bit to talk to my girlfriend — we both have lax enough jobs where they don’t mind the occasional text message or phone call, but it’s just quicker to send a text rather than use cell phone minutes. I don’t answer texts when it’s inappropriate to do so — movies, at a play, in a line at the store — but I also don’t use my phone, either. In fact, if I’m on the phone in a store and I’m about ready to be checked out, I tell the person on the other end of the conversation, “Hey, I’m about to check out, either hold on or I’ll call you back when I’m done.” I’ve done the “talk while being checked out” once in my life, and I felt bad for doing so, so I’ve resolved to never do that again.

Common courtesy and common sense are missing in your examples — if we could figure out a way to get people to use that more, we’d not have a problem.

God, now I sound old. :)