CORONA DEL MAR TODAY

Strange, New Bad Habit

I’ve noticed lately that whenever I’m standing near someone, say in a line at the grocery or on the sidelines of a soccer game, that if they get a text message — I crane my neck and try to read it.

Now, I’m a reporter and everyone knows that means I’m a natural nosy person. But I don’t really snoop through people’s mail or listen to their phone calls or try to break into their emails. But somehow, text messages, even when they aren’t intended for me, seem to attract me like a moth to a flame.

I’ve actually had to apologize and say, “I’m really sorry. I have this terrible habit of thinking every text message is for me.” This draws laughs, but still.

Why do I automatically want to know what people are texting? I honestly don’t care about their reminders to get milk or that their spouse is running late or that little in joke with a friend, but I have to stop my eyes from wandering nonetheless.