Planet Me Syndrome Is Everywhere
Some people really believe the world revolves around them!
I see people who suffer from the Planet Me Syndrome every day.
I know you’ve seen and experienced them too. And not just on TV.
It seems that after being sprung free from the pandemic lock down the condition has continued to spread rapidly.
Here’s some of the dangerous, annoying and disgusting things these Planet Me people do. (And yes, I have actually seen and experienced all these things in the wild myself).
- Walking across a street or parking lot completely mesmerized by the magic of their phone and oblivious to cars or bicycles that might run into them.
- Making crazy illegal U-Turns at top speed, racing down freeways and side streets, zagging in and out, looking to get somewhere faster NOW! 🚨🚨🚨
- Talking to their boyfriend with their phone on speaker in a public bathroom stall! Eww! 😠😠😠
- Rearranging the furniture in the middle of an open business lobby and eating and lounging on the floor watching videos as if they were at home.
- Turning the radio volume up so high in their car that you can feel the sound vibrations in your bones.
- And so many more . . .
Of course there were inconsiderate and rude people before the pandemic, but now even more seem to have forgotten how to act in the real world.
Manners S’manners, who needs them they say.
So what’s the cure for Planet Me Syndrome?
I’m not sure. I hope that some of this behavior will change over time and become less prevalent.
But in the meantime, what can we do?
- Try not to take it personally. I know this is hard, but sometimes you need to take the high road. Don’t join the drama club!
- Put up a No Phones sign in the Office Restroom. This could work :)
- Nail down the furniture in the lobby? Maybe. Where’s my hammer?
- Carry a spare spike strip in your car? Tempting, but too extreme.
- Or just take a deep breath and ignore them and save yourself the stress and high blood pressure? Yes!
Key Message: So the next time you experience someone with Planet Me Syndrome, just keep walking or let them pass you by. And jot down a quick note so you can use it in your next story on Medium. Being a writer has its privileges!
Linda Locke is a writer and mentor/teacher. She lives in Southern California in Ventura County by the coast with her husband and lots and lots of books. This is her 50th published story on Medium. 🎊🎊🎊
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