Time To Get Off The Phone
READ & RESPOND: Thinking Critically
Read “Time to Get Off the Phone” carefully. Mark (highlight or underline) any significant points or quotes. After reading, you will write a summary and a response to the article, so as you read, think about what the author is communicating.
Time to Get Off the Phone
By Brene´ Brown
1 Last week, while I was trying to enjoy my manicure, I watched in horror as the two women across from me talked on their phones the entire time they were getting their nails done. They employed head nods, eyebrow raises and finger-pointing to instruct the manicurists on things like nail length and polish choices.
2 I really couldn’t believe it.
3 I’ve had my nails done by the same two women for 10 years. I know their names (their real Vietnamese names), their children’s names and many of their stories. They know my name, my children’s names, and many of my stories. When I finally made a comment about the women on their cell phones, they both quickly averted their eyes. Finally, in a whisper, the manicurist said, “They don’t know. Most of them don’t think of us as people.”
4 On the way home, I stopped at Barnes & Noble to pick up a magazine. The woman ahead of me in line bought two books, applied for a new “reader card” and asked to get one book gift wrapped without getting off her cell phone. She plowed through the entire exchange without making eye contact or directly speaking to the young woman working at the counter. She never acknowledged the presence of the human being across from her.
5 After leaving Barnes and Noble, I drove through the Chick-fil-A drive-through to get a Diet Dr. Pepper. Right as I pulled up to the window, my cell phone rang. I wasn’t quite sure, but I thought it might be Charlie’s school calling, so I answered it. It wasn’t the school – it was someone calling to confirm my hair appointment. I got off the phone as quickly as I could.
6 In the short time it took me to say, “Yes, I’ll be at my appointment,” the woman in the
Read “Time to Get Off the Phone” carefully. Mark (highlight or underline) any significant points or quotes. After reading, you will write a summary and a response to the article, so as you read, think about what the author is communicating.
Time to Get Off the Phone
By Brene´ Brown
1 Last week, while I was trying to enjoy my manicure, I watched in horror as the two women across from me talked on their phones the entire time they were getting their nails done. They employed head nods, eyebrow raises and finger-pointing to instruct the manicurists on things like nail length and polish choices.
2 I really couldn’t believe it.
3 I’ve had my nails done by the same two women for 10 years. I know their names (their real Vietnamese names), their children’s names and many of their stories. They know my name, my children’s names, and many of my stories. When I finally made a comment about the women on their cell phones, they both quickly averted their eyes. Finally, in a whisper, the manicurist said, “They don’t know. Most of them don’t think of us as people.”
4 On the way home, I stopped at Barnes & Noble to pick up a magazine. The woman ahead of me in line bought two books, applied for a new “reader card” and asked to get one book gift wrapped without getting off her cell phone. She plowed through the entire exchange without making eye contact or directly speaking to the young woman working at the counter. She never acknowledged the presence of the human being across from her.
5 After leaving Barnes and Noble, I drove through the Chick-fil-A drive-through to get a Diet Dr. Pepper. Right as I pulled up to the window, my cell phone rang. I wasn’t quite sure, but I thought it might be Charlie’s school calling, so I answered it. It wasn’t the school – it was someone calling to confirm my hair appointment. I got off the phone as quickly as I could.
6 In the short time it took me to say, “Yes, I’ll be at my appointment,” the woman in the