When we lived in DC, the bluetooth phone accessory was just becoming popular. (Now, I'd like to preface this with the fact that several people whom I love dearly and am very close with use a bluetooth, so it's nothing personal - just my observations and opinions. Okay?!?) Every day on my way to work, I'd see people walking along the street talking to themselves. I'd quickly have to scan for the bluetooth to know they were not actually having a one-sided conversation, but in fact, having a conversation with someone else.
Then, to my horror, I started seeing people doing everything with their bluetooth set. I understand it's purpose. In the car? Totally fine. Disabled or other such reason? Fine. But walking around a shopping center yabbering to your friends, or pretending to be in the middle of an important business deal while you're at the bowling alley? Or just keeping it there for safe keeping all day long - including at lunch, bathroom breaks and the like? Come on, peeps! Is this a case of some serious laziness and/or wanna-look-cool/important inferiority? And like any good mother would say, "If God wanted you to have a bluetooth in your ear, he would have put it there in the first place!"
Anyway, I digress. I'll get off my soapbox now.
All I'm saying is that I often thought people were crazy because of the BT. And sometimes people really did turn out to be a little crazy - shouting and talking to themselves sans BT! Yep, they were having one-sided conversations with themselves. At least the BT gave me some peace of mind that not all Washingtonians were crazy-nuts talking to themselves.
Which brings me to my next point: Entertaining a toddler. When Lois and I go out and run errands, I find myself trying to entertain my lil' miss with whatever is necessary to get the task done quickly and efficiently. This includes making funny faces, singing, adding sound effects to things, talking about all the items we are looking at, admonishing her to "sit on her bum" and so forth. I find that people are always looking at me thinking, "she's nuts." To which I would reply, "No, I'm not crazy, I just have a toddler!"
The next best thing is when we are driving. Lois loves to shake her body and arms whilst in the car seat and she also loves to see me shake my groove thang to the beat of the music. It really gets her laughing...and every parent understands the euphoric feelings you get when your child is busting a gut! So, I do it and we have a blast together. I also make funny faces that she can see through my rear-view mirror while I'm dancing and shaking my arms in the air. It's just a huge party in our little Corolla! You better believe I get some awesome stares from other drivers, but who cares? I'm having a blast and Lois is having a blast. Once again, no, I'm not crazy. I just have a toddler, thank you very much!
Looking a little crazy is most likely a choice for most of us. I'm glad I have a toddler to blame my "crazy" behavior on. I'd much rather blame it on my toddler instead of a small bluetooth glued to my ear. Because, really, Lois is way cuter than a bluetooth. And a much better reason, in my opinion, for looking a little crazy!
I want to hear your thoughts. Does the bluetooth drive you nuts, too? And how to you entertain your children while you are out and about? Am I the only one that acts like a monkey to entertain her child? What do you like to blame your crazy behavior on?
And if you do use a bluetooth, I still love you! It will just have to be one of those things we agree to disagree on. To each his/her own, right? I mean, if you wanna go potty with a bluetooth in your ear, who am I to tell you not to?
5 comments:
I'm with you! I love using the BT at home so I can take care of phone calls while folding laundry or chasing kids, but walking around with it in general...? Not so much.
I also do the running commentary on whatever we're doing to keep Magdalena happy, especially at the grocery store. I get weird looks, too, but whatever.
I'm totally with you on the BT business.
One day, you will find yourself swaying back and forth while looking at labels of things in the food aisle of a grocery store, just like you're rocking your baby/toddler. And you'll have to remind yourself you don't have a baby in your arms and you haven't had a baby in your arms for 15 years! What we do to sooth or make our children laugh really becomes ingrained. I don't get as many weird looks from strangers as I do my kids. "Mommmmm - what are you doing?!!"
Ha, funny post. I use my bluetooth around the house, out for walks with Olive and occasionally when I'm out and about. But I do feel it's a little pretentious. I actually usually forget to bring my bluetooth with me anywhere so I can't use it even if I wanted to. Plus, I've been hearing stuff about it causing cancer and frying your brain cells, so maybe it's better that I don't use it much...
As far as entertaining your kids--I love it! Be crazy! I love seeing parents being funny to entertain their kids. It's tender. :)
Hahaha! I have never liked them. I think the only time they're acceptable is while driving in the car.
I do everything to entertain right down to allowing my baby to chew through the plastic and gnaw on a block of sharp cheddar.
Kat: I totally let Lois chew right down to the cheddar cheese while shopping around. We're twins.
And I totally think it's okay to use it when you're trying to get stuff done around the house - but when you're out and about and you have all your hands free? I just don't get it.
Am I mean?
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