Secrets Don't Make Friends

If you haven't looked at the sseko website yet, you're way behind the times.

I forgot my headphones when I went to the coffee shop today.  I normally keep them in my computer bag.  If I have to use them at home, I take them out, use them, and then put them back in my computer bag.  Except for this time.  This time I left them at home.

My problem in not having my headphones is that I get very distracted by people.  I'm OK if either nobody around me is talking or if everyone around me is talking.  The problem is when there's only one person around me talking.  I get focused on their conversation.  I can't help it.  I can just hear it so clearly and sometimes they talk about things that are mildly interesting.

I attempt to tune them out.  I can do it pretty well.  I just focus on what I'm working on.  (By working, I mean doing crossword puzzles online and checking facebook.)  As long as they keep up a steady flow of conversation, I'm fine.

But there is one thing that will always, no fail, cause me to stop whatever it is I'm doing and intently eavesdrop.  That is when the conversation shifts from normal tones to an animated whisper.  You know what I'm talking about.  The conversation is humming along and all of a sudden whomever is talking decides that the subject at hand is something that they shouldn't be screaming about in the coffee shop.  So they lower their voice, but continue on with just as much intent.  

I'm sorry, I have to listen at this point.  If it's something juicy enough that you have to stage whisper around strangers, I have to know what it is.  Is it personally embarrassing? Is it a social taboo?  Is it possibly offensive?  If the answer to any of these is yes, then I want to hear about it.

So next time you want to talk about something private in a public place, continue on in a normal register.  I won't notice. 

Song of the Day: Sunset Room by Two Loons for Tea