Why did he say this, its not like I was bothering anyone??

Question

Just recently I was in a Wal-Mart with my mom and we were at the checkout and the lady was rining the things up and my mom was trying to find her card to pay and such.

Nothing for me to really do.

I was leaning up against the thing you put the groceries on and texting one of my team mates from soccer.

Some man behind me, in his 40's or 50's, said something along the the lines of we all come to Wal-Mart to text on our cell phones. Bascially, he was making a negative comment about me texting.

I wasn't in the way, I wasn't being loud my phone doesn't make noise when I text. I was standing there quietly, minding my own business.

I could see if I was standing there talking loudly on my phone about my personal private life standing in his way blocking the line.

I was quiet pissed at the comment.

If I wasn't bothering anyone, why did he say this?

Answer 1

It is a bit rude to be completely ignore everyone around you in a public place.    When you ignore everyone around you and start texting, it is as if you put a sign around your neck that said "I don't care about anyone here.  In fact, I am so bored by everyone here that I have to use my little device to find someone else somewhere else who is worthy to speak to.  All I care about is myself, and what I want to do, and I don't care what you think".  That is the way that your actions are interpreted by others.   No, you are not "bothering" anyone.  You are giving them the cold shoulder.   Even if they wanted to smile at you and wish you a good day, you are signalling that you are not interested.  You are much too busy to be bothered with the social graces.

Of course, everyone else does it, so maybe that makes it OK.  But, what I have described is what your non-verbal cues are communicating to at least some of the people around you.  In the situation you described, the man felt that you were being rude.  He was equally rude to you, so  it was a draw.

Answer 2

i dont think that older people understand how great texting is.

my mom said,

that anytime anyone walks up to me,

whether i know them or not,

just to reak them out,

yell STRANGER DANGER,

and the run like ****.

you really freak people out,

and you arent as pissed for as long.

hehe...

:D

Answer 3

He said it because he is a mongey old d*ck with nothing better to do than moan, Dont let it get to you.

Answer 4

I wouldn't care about his comment, s***w him! You owe him nothing! He shops at Walmart, what do you think?

Answer 5

i'm not sure why he'd say that but i don't think you should care! you did nothing wrong he's complaining for no reason!

again, don't let it get to you because you did nothing wrong!

=D

Answer 6

The only person who knows why he said what he did is him.  You should have asked him at the time.

Maybe he was just trying to make conversation, but messed up.

Answer 7

Don't worry about what other people think.

Answer 8

He just doesnt know how cool texting is. LOL

Answer 9

He must have been annoyed by it for some reason or maybe he was just having a bad day either way he was wrong to say what he did. Sometimes you just have to ignore people like that unfortunately there are a lot of crazies in the world.

Answer 10

LOL...the only thing I can think of is that much of the "older" generation doesn't understand how popular texting is. My teen step-daughter texts constantly, though it doesn't annoy me.

The old guy really had no place commenting to you on it. Texting in and of itself is harmless, and it sounds like you weren't bothering anyone. It probably made himself feel better somehow...there are plenty of people in this world who just have to say something. Shake it off. You're fine. Keep texting (except while you are driving - now that is one thing that DOES drive me mad!

Answer 11

he was jealous bcause he's a jerk and no one with text him?

stupid people run in packs also. maybe he was trying to impress some other moron.