I am sure everyone is familiar with the iPhone and all the incredible tricks it can do. I mean no disrespect to such an incredible piece of technology, however, I do have issues with some of the users. Rather than make a sweeping generalization I will just say some iPhoners cannot be without their little iBuddy in their hand. You know who you are.
These people cannot carry on normal everyday functions. They cannot converse, work, or drive without responding to some clever little iRing on their iPhone which they have programmed so they know exactly what iTask or iPerson is summoning them. The iPhoner knows by the sound what awaits them but they still cannot resist. They have to stop their real world conversation, dinner, work task or driving to respond to the this irresistable link to the cyber world. While, I might add, the world waits in real time while they tap tap tap on the devilish iPhone, distracted from the tangible events right in front of them in real life.
No doubt the next generation will have a new set of rules for etiquette that they will understand. I accept that. I also accept that cell phone interruptions are a fact of life. We tolerate these interruptions in nearly all social situations except for those requiring all participants' attention and focus at an event. This is our everchanging world. Some things, however, do not change. The name may change but the phenomenon is the same. For that reason I would like to introduce the iPhone iDiot I encountered the other day.
While I was out enjoying a beer with a friend our table was approached by a middle aged man with an iPhone that struck up a conversation about his new device. After showing it off as if we had never seen one he felt compelled to tell us he was retired and without working at ALL he made $40,000 per year. That's nice I said. Oh, he went on, I work. I make an additional $50,000 on top of that. Umhmmm I nod, hoping this conversation will end soon. This is more information than I want to know from a stranger. Then he drops the bomb.
For my readers overseas, just in case you do not know, we have two viable political parties Republicans and Democrats. Conservatism vs. Liberalism. Rich vs Poor. Whichever party is in the White House the other becomes angry and accusatory. Its politics after all. Since I do not discuss politics with strangers in a bar I assumed this man must be joking when he says:
I have watched the Republicans save just to see the Democrats give it all away! I know how we can save the tax payers a lot of money. When a single woman comes in to get welfare we tie her tubes before she gets a check! That will save millions. I laugh at this inane statement because he can't possibly be serious. In fact, I join in poking fun at politics. Yes! I say, and we can save even more if we make every male convict with a felony conviction get a vasectomy before leaving prison! I mean, really, it makes as much sense as what he said. The iPhone iDiot looks at me and says he doesn't understand how that will help anything. Well, I explain, a woman can only have one child per year but a man can spawn dozens per year so that would cut down on the dead beat dads if they were infertile. The iPhone iDiot frowns. I don't get it he says. Do the math I say. Well, he argues, those women want those babies and they are too fat and lazy to work! (Actually, he said it in a more blunt direct manner but I will spare you those details.)
Unable to make the connection between our ludicrous comments he continues in another direction. Well, he says, my mother lives on $600 a month Social Security (government reitrement for those of you abroad). I took her down to the food stamp office and signed her up and guess what!? He looks at me. Then he blurts. They DENIED HER! Without batting an eye I looked at him and said you oughtta be ashamed of yourself. You make $90,000 a year. My friend audibly gasped.
Dear readers, do the math on that please. His mother gets $7,200 per year and the iPhone iDiot is pulling down $90,000. I hate to be rude, but it just came out of my mouth before I knew it. The iPhone iDiot glared at me and hissed. I take care of my mother. I smiled sweetly and said I never said you didn't.
At this point the iPhone disappeared into his pocket, of no obvious use to him in this predicament. He turns on his heel and starts out the door and says in a very nasty voice. You LADIES have a very nice night! We, the ladies, look at each other and giggle. As he storms out the door we hear him yell FUCK YOU!!!
Hysterical laughter and high fives ensue! I have come to the conclusion that idiots shouldn't own iPhones. They have access to too much erroneous iNformation at their fingertips. For that reason I have created the generic term for such diabolical creatures. The iPhone iDiot.
Do you know one? Has your life been rudely interrupted by one?
*this post's genesis lies over at
Hickery Holler Farm with the Canned Quilter.
