Put that Cell Phone down before I....

[jonesy]

...I wouldn't have a problem with them holding the same conversation with someone right next to them, so it's not a noise pollution factor for me.

In theory I agree. Except people on cells phones seem to have a need to speak louder than they have to. People speaking next to each other are a lot harder to eavesdrop on than people on cell phones. Not that that's something I actively do.

 

[Mycanid]

The problem isn't really cell phones, though it is nice to scapegoat something. The problem is ignorant, inconsiderate, and irresponsible people.

Well I agree in general with this. Technology for the most part is a neutral thing. Perhaps some patricular products of technology may loan themselves to an easier manifestation of the more undesirable qualities of certain other people, of course.

 

[jaerdaph]

I'm not against the phones at all. After all, I wouldn't have a problem with them holding the same conversation with someone right next to them, so it's not a noise pollution factor for me.

That's a very good point. I guess it all depends on the situation. And nobody likes to here anyone shouting, be it on a cell phone, in a conversation or (as is quite a common site in New York) to nobody in particular, at least that we can see in our reality anyway.

Obviously, nobody wants to listen to people talk (to their companions or on a cell phone) during a movie or a play. I don't mind people talking on cell phones during lunch during the business week. I understand that, and I've done it myself (although I always do try to excuse myself from the table and go somewhere more isolated). Dinner is another story, as is the weekend when people want to just relax. Ambiance becomes more important during the "off" hours. People on vacation have the right to that quiet too in locations like the beach or the forest, or the quaint little restaurant on the wharf any time of day. I don't think they should expect that if they chose to vacation in a major city like New York though.

 

[jaerdaph]

What strikes me as even sadder is when that "buffer" is destroyed by having the person made aware of their selfishness, usually through someone who is annoyed beyond polite indifference, they react with even more rudeness.... perhaps as a way of reestablishing the "buffer". In either case, I really hope that someday soon we once again get a renaissance of politeness and courtesy. God knows we need one.

I've noticed that this has really become a very big part of our (American?) culture - when we encounter someone breaking whatever rules of society and politeness, we immediately feel we are entitled to excuse ourselves from the same rules when we respond to this person. It seems to be our peculiar way of thinking, similar to killing someone is wrong so if you kill someone, we are going to kill you, because killing is wrong.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Personally, I try to avoid talking on the phone while driving- never more than 20 seconds unless I'm calling for directions on the fly, and usually, I'll pull off the road to talk anyway. If I'm expecting an important call, I'll have one of my passengers take it.

As for being cut off...I took a trip to Russia last august, and instead of getting my cell phone programmed for their network, I just left it behind.

Blissful silence...

 

[Mycanid]

Danny ... you vicious individual! ... what were you doing in Russia?!?!

Sorry for the off topic question here. Maybe answer it in one of the threads I started if so inclined.....

 

[DaveStebbins]

Cell phone use while driving is dangerous enough that many companies are adopting policies that employees are not allowed to use cell phones for company business while driving. It's a liability move, of course, but I heartily agree with it. I used to receive all kinds of calls from field sales guys at my company who would try to hold details-oriented discussions while driving. I'm happy to see this policy being adopted.

 

[Merkuri]

I used to receive all kinds of calls from field sales guys at my company who would try to hold details-oriented discussions while driving. I'm happy to see this policy being adopted.

Oh, tell me about it! I run into this all the time. I work in tech support, and I often get people from the sales department calling me on behalf of their clients. I always feel like saying, "Well, should we talk about it later, then?" when they tell me they don't have a piece of information because they're in the car. I try to make car discussions as short as possible for safety's sake, but the sales people don't seem to care, so I have to walk a fine line between being politely brief and sounding like I don't want to talk to them.

 

[sniffles]

I'd actually like to have a cell phone for emergency use - I often drive to the home of some friends who live about a half-hour drive from my home, and to reach them I usually use a freeway that doesn't have easy access to anyplace to get help if I have car trouble. But I just can't imagine wanting to chit-chat on the cell phone while walking through the grocery store or strolling down the street. I don't like talking on the phone.

 

[Merkuri]

I'd actually like to have a cell phone for emergency use

Ditto to that. I bought my first cellphone when I got my first real job, which was an hour away from my house. I wanted a way to give my parents a call if something bad happened. I don't have nearly that long a commute now, but I still have a cell for emergencies. I have one of those pre-pay plans where you buy a bank of minutes and have to keep buying so many every 90 days to keep your number. It's more expensive per-minute than most plans, but I only have to pay $20 every 90 days to keep the plan going, and I rarely use more than the minutes that buys me. It's tons cheaper for me than those phones where you pay $40 a month for fifty billion minutes that I'd never use.

If someone tries to call me in the car, I have a passenger pick up. If it's just me, I'll answer, but spend a minute at most talking. If the conversation has to go longer than that, I pull over (and I usually say, "hold on, let me pull over," then put the phone down until the car is no longer moving).