Warren and I were waiting at the airport when his phone rang.

It was his future wife in London, yep, THAT London.

She has lived there long enough to become acclimated to the way of life.

“She was stepping on to the train and had to go,” he said, explaining that in England people end calls and don’t take them while (or whilst) traveling on the train.

“To talk on the mobile phone is bad manners and inconsiderate while traveling,” he explained. “People chat or read, but do not engage in behavior that would offend or inconvenience others.”

Later, we were on a moving walkway. He pointed out that in England people stand to one side to allow others to pass. He said it loud enough for the man in front of us to hear as he blocked the way.

In the gate area, Warren tsked one offender after another, continuing the diatribe on how inconsiderate and self-absorbed Americans have become.

A family sat on the floor blocking the way to the gate agent’s desk. People spread out their belongings in seats, claiming them as their own. A man took a wheel chair and used it as a luggage cart.

A child, old enough to know better, tossed a tantrum because his favorite electronic toy didn’t work to his satisfaction. Warren shook his head.

On the airplane, we were a few rows back from the young family of three that included the brat.

Announcements were made. Passengers secured their safety belts and personal items for departure.

Shortly after the airplane pushed back, a flight attendant asked the parents to secure the child with his belt.

“He doesn’t want to,” replied the father.

(As one who has had his second birthday, the child fell under the same regulations as everyone else and didn’t have a choice.)

The airplane stopped for one more conversation.

The parents were advised that unless the child was compelled to comply, an unfortunate decision would be made.

They loudly opined that they wished to preserve the child’s spirit so he was on his own to pick and choose what he wanted to do. No “compelling.”

Again, the airplane moved, and this time back towards the gate. The plane stopped; the door opened, and the three furious passengers were led from the airplane.

That’s where those people come from.

Joe Phillips writes his “Dear me” columns for several small newspapers. He has many connections to Walker County, including his grandfather, former superintendent Waymond Morgan. He can be reached at joenphillips@hotmail.com.