my gripes on cell phone users

I think people with cell phone headsets that plug invisibly into their ears, save for a thin black wire draped down their shoulders, look ridiculous.

You see them walking down the street, wandering in the airport, waiting for the bus. They are talking out loud into thin air. And right when you either think the person is telling you about taking the chicken out of the freezer or telling Jim about rescheduling the meeting - or right as you are convinced said person has entirely lost his mind talking loud and clear to himself - you spot the earpiece. And if on the off chance they are addressing you, that is inevitably the one time you assume they are on the phone and you stare at them blankly.

But these hands-free phone folks are never using their hands. They are not typing or making dinner or fixing the carburetor. They are not even driving - which if you ask me is the only time the hands-free accessory is acceptable. So why, if both hands are free, are you using this ear plug? Do you really think at any given moment you might have to catch a football? Maybe you'll suddenly need to bend down and tie your shoe? Chances are that's not the case, you're hands are free and will stay free and all you are doing is looking ridiculous.

Even more ridiculous are the people who have an ear piece in, but are HOLDING the damn cell phone in their hand, often right out in front of their face like a baby in need of a diaper change or a lit match. Or there are those who hold just the wire, where there is positioned a tiny microphone, gingerly between two fingers inches away from the mouth. Is that really better than just holding the entire cell phone to your ear?