I\u2019ve recently written about the \u201cUM\u201d people and the \u201cHuffer\u201d people. Both of which you can\u2019t help but notice when you are in a line. The \u201cUM\u201d people can\u2019t make a decision and they say, \u201cUm,\u201d as they go back and forth in unsure choices. The Huffers get overly impatient in line, and huff and puff, crossing and uncrossing their arms and shifting their weight from one leg to another.<\/p>\n
Now, I\u2019ve discovered another branch of dysfunctional (sort of) people; the ones who sigh. A lot! A sigh is something we do unconsciously; we take in a normal breath, then draw in a second helping and exhale the double volume of air, which results in a notable sigh. It\u2019s an involuntary action generated in the brain using in excess of 200 nerve cells, according to scientists who study this stuff. It happens when we feel sadness, anxiety, depression or despair. The sighers in line are sad; the Huffers are mad; the Um people are indecisive and disorganized. <\/p>\n
When you are around a sigher, you wonder what\u2019s wrong and often ask, \u201cAre you okay?\u201d The typical response is, \u201cNothing!\u201d If you mention that they are sighing a lot they think you\u2019re a nut job. \u201cI am not sighing!\u201d they exclaim. They aren\u2019t fibbing; they are unaware.<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t mind my own business when I\u2019m out in public, especially when I\u2019m in a line. I snoop on what everyone else is doing. Every once in a while I\u2019ll encounter a \u201cperfect storm\u201d \u2013 a Huffer in front of me, a Sigher off to my side and an \u201cUm\u201d person at the register. It\u2019s like listening to and watching a symphony orchestra of sights and sounds: Huff \u2013 Sigh \u2013 Um \u2013 Um- Um \u2013 Huff \u2013 Huff \u2013 Sigh. It makes me into a \u201cChuckle\u201d person, chuckling in public for no apparent reason. I wonder who\u2019s watching me? <\/p>\n