Helpful or "Butting in"?

applecruncher

applecruncher

SF VIP
Location
Ohio USA
On Friday I had to go get some routine lab work done (prior to an upcoming dr appt), and afterwards as I was walking to the lobby I got a message that my ride was going to be late. So, I had about 20 minutes to kill.

I sat on a bench on the lobby (large, very comfortable bench), and noticed a woman on her phone sitting about 6 - 8 ft away. I checked my voice mail and listened to a message about arrangement with a friend. Since I had time, I called friend to firm things up. As I was talking (and I want to mention I wasn't talking loudly) I said "...so that's Friday, June 1st, right?"

Suddenly the woman sitting at the other end of the lounge bench waved her arms, shook her head, and said "This is May 25th!"

...huh? :confused:

I looked at her and frowned, then continued/ended my conversation.

Then I said: "Excuse me, were you trying to get my attention?" She replied "Oh. I just wanted to let you know today is Friday May 25, not June 1st." I said "Yeah, I know, I was making future arrangements." (of course, I didn't owe this woman an explanation...)

She looked a bit embarrassed, and said "ooops, that's none of my business...sorry". I nodded, smiled, and that was the end of it.

However, it occurred to me that maybe when she was waving her hands and talking to me I should have gotten up and walked to a different area or even outside.

Apparently she took it upon herself to try to "help" me, but the matter was not her business and I didn't ask her what the date was. OTOH, what she did was on impulse, and innocent enough. No harm done, and she apologized.

Thoughts?
 

In her case, I think she was just trying to be helpful in case you did have the wrong date. She didn't give it a second thought.
Then she realized she had eavesdropped, and apologized.
 
It obviously wasn't the woman's business, or her place to butt in. But I wonder how many of us would have been able to keep our mouths shut if someone next to us just finished saying that it was the wrong date? It's
almost irresistable to make a correction about a mild little fact like that.

I have experienced having various buttinskies interjecting themselves into conversations, just because they were standing nearby, or sitting at the next restaurant table. Sometimes it's annoying and my response is
kind of frosty; sometimes they are interesting or funny, and I welcome them into the conversation. Recently, I was showing my friends in a restaurant how Siri works on my phone. We were having fun throwing all kinds
of obscure questions at "her." Suddenly, the guy at the next table piped up with a question of his own. We tried it, and Siri answered. Then, the folks at his table yelled a few more questions over to us, and we were
all laughing and enjoying the input from these friendly strangers. (We finally did manage to stump Siri.)

I guess we all have to remember that any conversation in a public space is not really a private conversation.
 
I usually assume that it is a lonely person that craves some human contact.

I always let it go and get on with my life but I have to admit that I've been tempted to spice up my telephone conversation with tips on how to dispose of the body or get the blood stains out of the carpet.
 
Aunt Bea said:
I usually assume that it is a lonely person that craves some human contact.

I always let it go and get on with my life but I have to admit that I've been tempted to spice up my telephone conversation with tips on how to dispose of the body or get the blood stains out of the carpet.
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You have a twisted sense of humour Aunt Bea.
I like it. :grin:
 
The joke would be on you, making (purposely) overheard body disposal talk, when the no-joke FBI or local police came knocking on your door. That would be no joke, and could very well happen.
 
When people first started using headsets with their cellphones, someone would look at you and start talking. So you'd answer and then find out they were talking on the phone and just letting their eyes wander. I'd never know if they were talking to me or on the phone....
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That describes me perfectly !
 
A few years ago, I read a quip that said, "It used to be that if a person was walking down the street and loudly talking to themselves, you would assume they were nuts. Now, you can't be sure. They may very well
be on the phone."

By now probably no one even bats an eyelash.
 
Sunny said:
A few years ago, I read a quip that said, "It used to be that if a person was walking down the street and loudly talking to themselves, you would assume they were nuts. Now, you can't be sure. They may very well
be on the phone."

By now probably no one even bats an eyelash.
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I know what you mean. I sometimes see people by themselves and talking and the first thing I think of is people who are delusional and having an episode. Then when they pass by you see their ear buds and phone in their hand..lol
 
I have a little different take.

I don't like when people get on their phones in a waiting room. Usually they don't keep their voices down and everyone has to hear their conversation.

I find it rude and disrespectful to others. Why not step outside or just use text messaging?
 
caseyjshu said:
I have a little different take.

I don't like when people get on their phones in a waiting room. Usually they don't keep their voices down and everyone has to hear their conversation.

I find it rude and disrespectful to others. Why not step outside or just use text messaging?
Click to expand...

I know what you mean, but this was not in a waiting room...it was a lobby area that was empty except for me and the other woman. I was not loud at all, AND the person I was talking to was not on a cell phone - texting was not an option in this particular instance.

I've been in waiting room of doctor or dentist, etc. & yes when people talk on phone or to a companion it can be annoying. Some places prohibit talking on phones in those areas.
 

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