Cellphonies

Ever wish you could confiscate somebody's cellphone just for forcing you to listen to his annoying conversation? How'd you feel if you found out that the person talking on the phone wasn't even having a real conversation?

That's becoming the case for more and more people, according to the New York Times.

Some stage calls to avoid contact, whether with neighbors or panhandlers, co-workers or supervisors, Greenpeace canvassers or Girl Scouts. Some do it to impress those within earshot, others so they don't look lonely. Men talk to their handsets while they're checking out women. Women converse with the air to avert unwanted approaches by men.

Camera phone shutterbugs fake being on the phone so they can get a good angle without looking suspicious. And certain cellular vigilantes fake for the benefit of real callers who are oblivious to the rules of common decency.