Everyone, it seems, owns a cellular phone these days. Everywhere you look; on the streets, in restaurants, in the market, at airports, even in rest rooms. Everyone is on the phone. Thank God our elbows bend; otherwise, the world would be silent again. And maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing.

As a frequent traveler, I spend a great deal of (wasted) time in airports, either walking mile-long concourses or waiting endlessly for a flight. It gives one time to do many things including observing human nature. One of the newest people-watching trends is the study of how cell phone behavior seems to reflect one's personality, or at least their perception of self-image.

Let's start with the most obnoxious cell phone user "Look-at-me-and-listen-to-how-important-I-am." This guy (or gal) is pacing up and down the corridor, speaking very loudly on his phone right near a large group of people who could otherwise care less at what he's saying.

Nonetheless, the guy speaks in a boisterous forceful tone to the person at the other end of the phone, which could be his dog for all we know. He bellows endlessly so that everyone can hear how commanding and in control he is. His eyes shift across his bored audience to ensure they're listening. Sure they are, and thinking, "Hey buddy, take it outside, you loud obnoxious creep." His interpretation of the facial disdain, however, reflects the attention he so desperately seeks and needs to validate his self-importance.

If these people are as powerful as they think they are, and their discussions as important as they try to make them sound, they would have the courtesy to take calls in one of the many nooks and crannies airports have to offer for privacy. But people like this seem to need and want attention. Their insecurities and egos need such boosting that their willingness to perform acts of foolery are boundless in the face of anyone who will listen (or is forced to listen).

Point is, knock it off. We, the public, are tired of loud bullish blabbermouths, from cable workers to company presidents, who try to impress unwilling audiences into listening to their pretentious power and persistent prattle. We are not impressed. (CONTINUE...)