Conversational Time Warp

Yesterday I saw something that, until I actually saw it, I hadn't realized was such an archaic, outdated, never-seen thing of the past: I saw a young person talking on a pay phone.

Posted on September 19, 2007 at 15.49 by jns · Permalink
In: All, Briefly Noted

4 Responses

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  1. Written by Bill Morrison
    on Wednesday, 19 September 2007 at 18.25
    Permalink

    Yes, I keep wondering when the payphones I depend on to call you when I arrive in Washington are going to disappear. Last time, I didn't actually see a payphone until I got to New Carrollton station — none impinged on my consciousness in National airport, and though I looked I didn't see any at L'Enfant Plaza Metro station either. I was very relieved when I saw the same bank of payphones in the Amtrak waiting room at New Carrollton.
    So what is someone whose cellphone doesn't work in the US going to do when arriving at a destination and needing to call someone? Just another aggravation in the already aggravating process of getting into your country these days!

  2. Written by jns
    on Wednesday, 19 September 2007 at 20.23
    Permalink

    Well, Bill, the answer is obvious. We support American enterprise down here, so the best answer is for you to buy one or more real American cell phones. Think how special they would be, too, usable only infrequently for perhaps a single call — something to cherish and look forward to!

  3. Written by S.W. Anderson
    on Thursday, 20 September 2007 at 00.39
    Permalink

    "I saw a young person talking on a pay phone."

    Most likely a novelty play on the young person's part.

    Now for my sighting. I recently checked around at one of the busiest intersections in my half of the state while waiting for the light to change. For once, none of the fellow drivers I could see was yakking on a cell phone. That's especially commendable because using a cell phone while driving has been illegal since the first of the year. Not that 99 percent of my fellow motorists seem to know or care.

  4. Written by Jennifer
    on Friday, 21 September 2007 at 02.19
    Permalink

    Pay phone? What is this pay phone you speak of? :)

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