Greeting to all my dear readers,
Last week, I had the chance to pay a visit to an old friend at his apartment. It was an hour's drive to get there, and his unit is on the top floor of a 20-story service apartment. It was late in the afternoon when I arrived at the lobby, and I found around 10 to 15 residents waiting for the elevator.
What I am going to share with you here wasn't the real thing happened on that day. But it depicts the scenario quite vividly.
In the bustling lobby of the apartment building, a group of residents gathered in front of the elevator. It was a typical late afternoon scene, with everyone immersed in their own digital worlds. Smartphones were clutched tightly, eyes glued to screens, and fingers dancing across keyboards.
Among the crowd was Mr. Serious, intently reading an article about quantum physics. Next to him stood Ms. Scroller, her thumb a blur as she flipped through social media posts. Beside her, Mr. Smiley chuckled softly at a meme. But the real stars of the show were the Video Watchers.
There was Young Gamer, watching a high-octane gaming stream, the sound of explosions and rapid-fire dialogue filling the air. Next to him, Teen Drama was engrossed in a melodramatic soap opera, complete with sobbing and dramatic music. Mr. Nostalgia was reliving a classic comedy, his laughter booming out as slapstick scenes played out. And then there was Multitasker, juggling a cooking tutorial and a news broadcast, the contrasting sounds creating a cacophony of culinary tips and urgent headlines.
The elevator doors finally slid open, and the crowd shuffled in, still engrossed in their screens. The Video Watchers didn't miss a beat, continuing their auditory assault on the small, enclosed space. The mix of explosions, dramatic sobs, comedic pratfalls, and breaking news created an atmosphere reminiscent of a fish market at peak hour.
Suddenly, Young Gamer decided his game commentary wasn't quite loud enough and cranked up the volume. Teen Drama responded in kind, not to be outdone. Mr. Nostalgia, not wanting his laughter drowned out, followed suit. The elevator's interior quickly became a battleground of competing noises, each person trying to outdo the others in a bid for auditory dominance.
Just when it seemed the chaos could escalate no further, a middle-aged woman, previously unnoticed in the corner, took a deep breath. Without warning, she burst into song at the top of her lungs, a rousing rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody." Her powerful voice cut through the noise like a hot knife through butter.
"Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?"
The elevator fell silent, every head snapping up in surprise. One by one, the Video Watchers fumbled to mute their phones, their faces a mix of shock and embarrassment. As the woman reached the chorus, the elevator doors slid open at her floor. She stepped out, still singing, leaving the stunned residents in her wake.
"Any way the wind blows..."
The doors closed behind her, and the remaining passengers exchanged sheepish glances. The rest of the ride continued in blissful silence, each person silently vowing to remember their headphones next time.
The elevator finally reached the top floor, and as they filed out, Mr. Serious couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, that was one way to get some peace and quiet."
Ms. Scroller grinned. "Maybe we should all start carrying a song in our hearts."
Mr. Smiley laughed, his phone tucked firmly in his pocket. "Or at least a good pair of headphones."
And so, the lesson was learned, with a touch of humor and a whole lot of volume.
Dear readers,
Being considerate means being mindful of others' feelings, needs, and situations. It's about showing empathy and respect, and making an effort to ensure that our actions positively impact those around us.
Well, it was unfortunate for me that day because no such lady was there. Since it was other people's ground, I didn't dare to be nosy. I tried my best to enjoy the multiple sounds to the fullest, and the elevator's speed felt quite slow.
I shared that experience with my friend, and he replied, "It is 2024, brother. Live with it."
Love
Old Man Em Jay