How do you deal? (A social question)
So, you're driving in traffic and you're having a chat with yourself in the car. It's not just a random one-liner, but you're really having an intense conversation with yourself. Or perhaps you're like me and you're monologuing or rehearsing for a future interview about your novel or whatever.
Then you notice. The lady in the baby-blue 1987 Honda Civic is staring at you. Busted.
So, do you pretend you were singing by doing some air guitar or a quick drum riff on the steering wheel? Or do you pull out your cell phone and act like you have a microscopic bluetooth headset that she just can't see? Or do you pretend like you have a child in the back seat by turning around and talking some more? Or do you just smile and wave?
Just curious.
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ha! great question. this has never happened to me. i've never seen a baby-blue 1987 honda civic.
remember that seinfeld eppy where the lady in the car beside him thought he was picking his nose?
Posted by: rob | June 7, 2006 03:31 PM
I'm glad it's not just me! I usually go for the cell phone or start playing with the bluetooth headset if I get caught!
Posted by: Jonathan | June 7, 2006 04:02 PM
That's hilarious. I do this all the time. I'm usually either talking through ideas, preparing for a presentation, or talking to God... In a day when hands-free headsets and speakerphones abound, I've found that the easiest thing to do is just keep talking. I think the more serious you are about carrying on your own conversation, the more likely it is that people will think you are actually talking to someone (somehow). Singing... now that's a tough one to cover! I've always wondered why it can feel so weird when you notice that a complete stranger saw you.
Posted by: Jeff | June 7, 2006 04:20 PM
I like to pull out a Fisher Price phone with great big buttons and pretend I'm making another call. The eyes that wobble back and forth are a nice touch.
Unless you're in a small town, you can get away with it.
Posted by: t2ed | June 8, 2006 06:51 AM
Personally I just start car dancing. Then there is no question in their mind about whether or not you were talking to yourself. If you start dancing they then know concretely that you were singing along. Sway your head from side to side, bob your shoulders up and down, etc.
Posted by: Scott | June 8, 2006 01:41 PM
Personally, I chat with myself quite a bit, especially with my 90 minute commute to work. I have had some stares before, and generally, I will just smile at them and continue on with what I was doing.
I think it's more disturbing for people when I am actually making hand gestures during my conversations.
Posted by: jerry | June 23, 2006 07:10 AM