Ok. Let's get one thing straight. The lollipop schtick is fine and dandy in most situations except for one: phone conversations. Over the phone it draws unneeded attention to mouth sounds. Smacking and the like. Not cool. Gross.
Overall I'm all for the lollipop schtick. Its retro (think Kojak), its healthier than smoking (I'll take cavities over cancer any day), and it casts its user's oral fixation into stronger relief than other mouth accessories (toothpicks, tongue piercings, bubble gum). The lollipop is sensual and colorful. Its mobility astounds. Plus it can be a helpful tool in social interaction. For example, for the practised user, pronounced lollipop cheek swell can signify deep thought and/or concentrated effort more effectively than the subtly furrowed brow or clenched jaw that the rest of us naked—faced people regularly employ in order to signify that we are busy at work and/or emotionally unavailable.
But I'm not here to explain the semiotics of lollipop use. I simply wish to issue a reminder that a lollipop's effectiveness is 100% visual. Don't call people on your phone with a lollipop in your mouth. Ever. Your mother agrees with me. Your mouth agrees with me. Its impolite. So stop it. We mean it.
Posted by Red Chuck at July 26, 2005 03:45 PM