did you really call him a douche?? too funny.

My hero!

I don’t know why I never learn, but I’m consistently stunned by people like that. Fortunately, it sounds like you got one seemed at least the tiniest bit contrite enough to knock it off. Usually the ones I confront treat *me* like the douche for asking them to stop whatever they weren’t supposed to be doing in the first place. Oh, really? *I’m* the bad guy for telling you not to talk on the phone during the movie? #smh

Thank you for bringing civility back. I’ve been known to inform folks in restaurants who find it necessary to talk on their cell phones sur la table, “Back in the day, payphones were located outside on a corner or near the restrooms. I don’t believe that placement to be accidental. Please continue your conversation where it was intended to take place-outside or near the restrooms.”

My hero. Thank you!

Right on – you rock. Some people just don’t get it and never will.

Any day you can use the word douche is a good day.

Although Mr. Chatty is probably in the warm embrace of a beautiful woman right now.

Way to go. It’s amazing that common courtesy has become so uncommon.

Can we film this? It’s a brilliant short.

Everyone has bad days, you have no idea what’s happened in the guy’s life today. For all you know his parents could have just died.

Why wouldn’t you just politely ask him to keep it down? That would be the civil thing to do, imo.

Telling people off on the Quiet Car is one of the most satisfying things ever. Even better on the 6:00am NY to DC. It’s the great leveler.

*fist bump*

The Esteemed Mr. Shankman,

Well played, good sir, well played.

I do this sort of thing fairly frequently. I’ve just had enough, as it sounds like you may have as well.

Our culture has deteriorated into a cesspool of this sort of douchery (a veritable “Douchetocracy,” as it were). I say it’s time to stand the hell up and put our collective boot on the throat of those who would ruin our right to the quiet enjoyment of our lives.

Talking into a cellphone (aka, “my freaking EAR”) while you stand in line behind me? I will turn and stare, unblinking and wide-eyed, straight in your face until the weight of my intensity causes you to back away, very slowly.

Allow your “participation trophy” rugrat to run screaming and wild anywhere near my space? I will ask you with a chilling politeness whether “you’re going to take care of that, or would you prefer I do it?” And you will not doubt the sincerity of my question.

Talk too loud in an otherwise quiet restaurant? I will ask my waiter to send the manager over, at which point I will give him the option of (1) asking you to lower your voice, or (2) making a preemptive call to 911.

Am I exaggerating? I don’t know. Why don’t you scream into your cell while you stand next to me to find out… ;)

Great post, my friend.

Best,
Michael McClure

I call that a “Come to Jesus’ moment.

Sounds like all that boxing is being put to good use. No, you didn’t use your fists, just the confidence that comes with the training. wOOt!

You spoke for all mankind, except the bald guy. Civility seems to have died. Maybe you started it up again.

My comment got deleted?

Are people only welcome to comment on your posts if they 100% agree with you then Peter?

Peter — This is great! I did this once on a Metro-North train. And I got some winks and more than a few smiles from people who were thankful someone “asked” the jerk to knock it off. He did, and it felt great. Some people really need reminding that there are other people around.

Nevermind, it’s back now. My point is that I think we could all benefit from giving others the benefit of the doubt. Sure he was being inconsiderate, but nine times out of ten all that’s needed is a quiet word to point it out. Very often people don’t even realize they’re being inconsiderate.

Mr. Shanksman Do me just one favor Sir, Please remind me NEVER to spar, verbally of course, with you. I fear I would be way out matched ;) Congrats on your moment of supirority. FYI, It’s good to file these away for futre use. like the next time you trip walking through the gym.. lol you can recall that moment while ferverishly trying to regain your ” cool” … I would’nt of course know anything about that ..

Nicely handled. But it is a shame that you even had to do that. The talkative customer was in the wrong, but the conductor & other train personnel were also just as wrong for failing to address the situation, thus causing an innocent customer (you) to feel obliged to confront the talkative guy, Luckily, he was not a violent guy, but you should not have to be in that precarious position.

What the heck is a quiet car?

That’s hilarious! You rock. Too bad I didn’t read this before going to a spa yesterday and spending many hours in the “Quiet Room.” While most women got the whole quiet concept, there were the handful who chatted it up. Luckily, I’m good at tuning out the noise and finding quiet on my own terms (it’s the yogi in me!).

Changing the world one min. at a time. When are you running for public office?
You never fail to amaze.

Atta boy!

@All: Common courtesy has indeed become not only uncommon but practically non-existent. The fact that we even need signs asking people to refrain from using their phones is insulting (sort of like the tags on hairdryers, “don’t use while sleeping”. Duh!)

I respectfully disagree that people don’t realize their own behaviors … in fact, I believe it is quite the opposite. It’s all about entitlement and being self-absorbed. And when confronted with their gaffes, it is the messenger who becomes “the douche”.

Gyms, train cars, restaurants, etc. cannot simply post the rules, they must also enforce them and not allow that responsibility to fall upon their members, clients, and guests.

Peter, I would PAY you to tell off the blowhards in a particular high-end NYC gym (begins with an “E”) … women who continue cell phone conversations upon entering a bathroom stall with no respect to others who are already ‘seated’; people on cardio equipment that conduct business and other private conversations for the entire hour you are working out, and so on. Any advice out there? Management turns a blind eye and the staff can only babysit up to a point. Members have nearly come to physical blows and management refuses to post any signs.

And for the record, I have conducted a significant job search and had to deal with a serious health issue over the course of the past few years and never once did I answer my cell phone when I did not have the privacy to speak, so no, I don’t give people the “benefit of a doubt”. They are simply RUDE. Indeed, phone booths had doors and were located out of earshot for a reason!

You F’n Rock Man. Epic!

@Kai – Then the gentleman should not have used the quiet car if he needed to be on his phone – it’s as simple as that.
I feel like I am forever running into people like that who think they are the only ones who matter – in the subway, on the trains, in the roads – it just baffles me.
As someone said before me – common courtesy is no longer common.

Good on ya, and all that, he clearly had it coming. BUT. Did you really say “…that OLD woman…”?! ;-]

U da mang!

When a correct and important point about someone’s rudeness cannot be made without name calling the battle civility is lost.

God Bless You! 3 times in the last month I have sat next to inconsiderate people in church who have answered phones, emails (the “ding” when it is received is a dead giveaway) and texted while we struggled to hear the pastor speak. My only satisfaction is that the Big Man upstairs is watching while these narcissistic twits are clueless to how rude they are-they’ll get it in the end!

Phones in church? You’re not serious.

Bravo! Had a very similar experience. No train, but while purchasing tickets for a show at the Fox Theater. Huge sign posted at every teller window said: Do Not Use Cell Phones While In Line or In Waiting Area. This individual stands right behind me, ranting and raving, in a building interior layered with fine marble. You guessed it, every word she uttered, “echoed” like crazy. This meant I could not hear the teller provide me with information relative to my purchase. I kept silent as did the teller. Once I struggled through my purchasing process, I turned and walked away. She then got off of her phone and proceeded to order her tickets. I walked behind her and pretended to be on my phone – talking as loud as she was. Not knowing it was me, she turned around and said: “Sir, the sign says no cell phones!” When she noticed it was me, she said, “I am so sorry, I see what you are trying to do. Thanks.” I smiled and walked out.

Peter, at least you didn’t stream live video of that guy. ;)

Swish! At least you had the balls to speak up. A lot of people just sit there and take it while the ignorant douche takes the stage.