I'm short, round, and long-waisted. Even in my teenage years, when I was in better shape, I spent much of my time scrambling to keep up with longer-legged relatives. So why, as I approach 50, do I suddenly find myself passing six-foot-plus 20-year-olds on campus sidewalks (and city sidewalks as well, for that matter)? Because they're so busy looking at, or just talking on, their phones (yes, some of them still use the things to talk) that they've slowed to a crawl. I'm generally quite a patient walker (and driver), so when I start getting annoyed, you know the situation is bad. I'm honestly not sure I care all that much if they're texting in class (at least as long as they're not texting each other smart remarks about what I'm saying, and giggling. I don't think that has happened). But I'm really tired of trying to move around full-grown adults (at least in size) who seem to have no more awareness of their surroundings than the average toddler.
The next time you see this, walk up behind them and give them a good, swift, solid kick in the butt. People talking on cell phones worry me for another reason, particularly when they use headsets: talking to oneself like that used to be considered a symptom of madness.
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