A New Age for Eavesdropping

The rise of the cell phone has changed my favorite New York activity in two ways.

First, when I see someone walking towards me on the street who appears to be talking to themselves, I have to decide if this person is talking on a cell phone or if it may be a good idea to cross the street.

This is surprisingly easy with practice.

Second, I get to eavesdrop on half of what would normally be a private conversation, just a little out of context, with little effort on my part.

Overheard today: "You'd look like, you'd look like, you'd basically be a freak in a sheet."

Huh.