SE22's most likely to get brain damage from mobile phone overuse?

[Bony Fido]

Every morning when I return to SE22 from Westminster after a long hard night protecting Her Maj's Palace from insurrectionists, I reward myself by dropping in to one of the wonderful 24hr off-licences in South London - surely one of the greatest advances of the 21st. century.

Just recently I have noticed that whenever I visit the "Payless" shop (opposite The Bishop in LL) the chap behind the counter ALWAYS seems to be talking to himself. Closer inspection reveals that he has a pair of white earphones plugged in to his aural orifices, and he rabbits away incessantly to persons? unknown while totting up the damage for my shopping and taking my money.

Not only does this seem to me to be extremely rude, but also I fear for his long term health. Does anybody know whether this is only an early morning phenomenon, or does it continue throughout the day? (And if so how do you feel about the lack of communication with his customers?)

[Jimbob]

the fact he,s doing the graveyard shift in a 24 hr offie, suggests there may not be too much there to be damaged in the first place.

[mikese22]

the newsagent opposite the sea cow is the same...

i agree it is incredibly rude - though to be fair the guy is always pretty friendly

[SteveT]

I guess it relieves the dull repetitive nature of a dull repetitive job in a strange land, culture, and language.

[KidKruger]

I think the guy just has stuff to do / people to talk to / business to conduct and he's being efficient with his time by not waiting hours until his shift is over or taking a chance a customer won't come in.

I'd wager the chap would be very surprised to hear anyone even cares that he's on the phone or wants to exchange niceties of the 'hello, good morning' ilk !

[Pierre]

Maybe the earphones aren't connected to a 'phone, maybe they're connected to an iPod and he is in fact learning another language - "ecoutez et repetez... *ding*"

: P

[AcedOut]

Don't you think ones employer/customer might also find it 'rude' at the amount of time spent on on-line forums!? Give the chap a break. If you want conversation, I'd suggest some place else...

[lard]

MI5 are tracking you and he is one of their operatives

"subject is topping up his card, repeat, topping up his card"