On behalf of all of those who are growing increasingly impatient with people talking and texting on their smart phones at the most inappropriate times, we’d like to thank Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman for taking one on the chin at the Great Necks Arts Center.
Kaiman was sitting in the front row at a special concert by legendary singer-songwriter Art Garfunkel when he started texting on his phone. There were only 120 people in the auditorium, at this invitation-only event, so he was hard to miss. Someone told our reporter that it looked like Kaiman was responding to an email. At least he wasn’t playing Angry Birds.
Garfunkel stared Kaiman down before walking off the stage, telling the audience, “I need a rest now.”
Kaiman, who apparently did not immediately grasp how rude his actions had been, joked, “I thought you were a professional and you could handle it.”
Kaiman later apologized and we hear that when he returned Garfunkel gave a memorable performance.
What Kaiman did is no different than what people are doing a million times a day. They talk on their phones and text anywhere and anytime they please. Except for when they are driving, they are free to do that.
But as this singer who helped shape the sixties made clear, there are times when it is very rude.
For starters: if you are at a concert, even if it’s at are your kid’s.
