Projo Offbeat Blog

The buzz in England is all about a buzzer storekeepers use to keep kids from hanging around their stores.

Some stuffy English store owners are using an electronic device called the "Mosquito" that emits a high-pitched sound, audible only to young ears, to drive kids away from their shops, because they think the kids are scaring away paying customers.

Some Brits are apparently spitting up their tea over such harsh treatment of the little hooligans. And some of the kids are pushing a "buzz off" campaign to discourage shopkeepers from using the devices, but don't be surprised if the store owners just tell them to buzz off. After all, haven't kids been using high-pitched squeals and other obnoxious behavior for years to drive adults crazy?

Before I get carried away jumping all over the Brits, I should tell you that these devices are also being sold in the U.S. by a company that markets them through a Web site called kidsbegone.com.

My problem with this device isn't that it might sends kids scurrying down the street, but that it doesn't work on adults. We could all use our own personal "Mosquito" to drive away bores of all ages and sizes.

Here's a few examples of adults we might buzz:

-- The Giants fan co-worker who hasn't done an ounce of work since the Super Bowl because he's been so busy gloating by your desk.

-- The relative who found religion and needs you to find it, too.

-- The neighbor whose kid is "definitely going to the Olympics" because his daughter won a kiddie swim meet and "her times have been improving every week" and blah, blah, blah.

-- The radio talk-show host wannabe who relentlessly preaches about his candidate and insists that your favorite candidate is going to ruin the country.

-- The "fitness freak" who spends more time telling you about his/her workouts than actually working out.

-- The Lounge Lizard who can't take a hint.

-- Telemarketers.

-- The "friend" who has mistaken you for Dr. Phil and thinks you enjoy hearing his/her constant complaints about his/her job, health, family, relationships, etc.

-- People who can't shut up about their blogs.

Who would you like to buzz off? Send me an email or reply in the comments section.

Comments

Cal said:

Maybe we could use it to break up gangs in the city, at least the younger thugs!

Link | February 14, 2008 4:17 PM
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Jeremy said:

We could use it to deter failing journalists from making it to their desks... might increase the level of discourse here in the state.

Link | February 15, 2008 10:59 AM
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