New York Minute 33 - Attention Seeker

Sometimes, I encounter who talk to themselves while walking down the street. They're not mumbling or muttering under their breath; they speak loudly in an attempt to get the attention of strangers.

Their menacing monologue is loaded with curse words and crude descriptions of people doing terrible things to each other (often in a sexual context). It's unnerving to hear such vulgar thoughts spoken so casually and deliberately.

One of these guys came up behind me as I was walking home the other night. I heard him about a block away giving his expletive-filled lecture to no one. The voice got closer and closer. I resisted the urge to let it bother me.

When the guy caught up to me, I walked stride for stride with him for a couple of blocks. I smiled, enjoyed the scenery, and ignored his banter. 

At the next intersection, I let him get about 12 to 15 feet ahead of me. Then I launched into one of my favorite mind tricks.

I pulled my phone from my pocket and pretended to have a loud, banal conversation with a pretend fraternity buddy. 

"HEY!"

"What's goin' on?"

"Yeah, this weather SUCKS!"

"Hey, I heard about Arthur!"

"Yeah, that shit's f---ed up!"

And on and on and on. You get the picture.

Two blocks later, the man who was now very quiet, crossed the street to get away from me.

Satisfaction!

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