Really?

My Saturday afternoon: Happily settled at a big corner table in the library forcing myself to do my reading and discussion assignments. (Life Span Development. Blech. So far, it's like Biology to me. Grrr.)

What I don't understand: That the library doesn't seem to be the quiet retreat it once was for serious studying and reading. 

Annoyance #1: Crying child. For about 30 minutes.

Annoyance #2: Girl with a bag of chips. A very loud bag of chips.

Annoyance #3: Man strolling throughout the library...up and down each aisle...having a lengthy conversation on his cell phone. 

So......um......yeah.....I said something to him. And then I was sorry I did...fearful that he might be waiting for me in the parking lot when I left. So, I immediately texted my sister, Lucy, and let her know that if she never heard from me again it was because this guy probably murdered me--totally pissed off that I asked him to finish his call outside. 

Yeah...I asked him to finish his call outside, because I could hear him all over the library. So, he finished his call outside. 

And then he came to voice his displeasure with me. Loudly.

Loud Library Talker (whining): If you have something to say to me, I would appreciate it if you could do it quietly instead of dressing me down in front of the whole library. I don't appreciate how rude you were to me. (and then he stomped his foot like a big baby and put his thumb in his mouth)

Intolerant Study Girl:  Are you kidding me? And you don't think it was rude that you were disruptive? 

Loud Library Talker:  I didn't realize that people could hear me. You're nasty. Nanny nanny boo boo, stick your head in doo doo.  

He really believed people couldn't hear him and that his behavior was acceptable. No apology. No acknowledgement of any wrongdoing. Not that I expected it or wanted it. Of course, I didn't apologize for "dressing him down", either. So, there. We're even. Ha. Ha. 

I just sat there. Sort of shrugged my shoulders. Smirked a little and said, "Really? You really didn't think people could hear you?"

Because common courtesy is no longer expected in this society, there are signs plastered ALL OVER THE LIBRARY kindly asking that cell phone calls be taken outside in consideration of library patrons. In the event that you miss those, self-awareness and common sense are no longer required, either. Just so you know. 

Really.  

P.S. I later decided this man may have been unhappy that he was forced to wear his little 1970's era jogging shorts today. I just happened to be the target of his aggravation.