Community weekly poll: What gets under your skin about public cell phone usage?
- 8/15/06 4:30 PM
hadnt thought of this before, but...
by mittens - 8/18/06 5:55 PM In reply to: refused to be ignored by IronManCurtisnot so long ago, when you went to visit someone, you never got a call on their phone, unless it was a long visit and you had given their number out (with permission). Not so long ago, if you were visiting a friend and had to make a call you would ask permission, and make it privately. the host would leave the room, usually, until you were done.
Now, it seems, we carry ourselves and our forty seven hundred friends with us on cellphones, and you are no longer at the mercy of your hostess when phone calls are being made. Just whip out the ol' cell phone and chat. She is forced into a funny place where to leave the room seems rude, to stay often pyschologically makes her a part of the conversation, and the phone user begins to perform for her as well.
It may be that we are only now beginning to work out the rules for these things, what works, what offends. This is a totally new way of communicating, even though its still a phone.
..... within reason ....
by IronManCurtis - 8/18/06 9:09 PM In reply to: hadnt thought of this before, but... by mittensI understand REASONABLE cellphone usage. First, I'll see who it is. Some folks never call except to pass-waste time. VoiceMail, here comes another. I'll check the message in a few, just in case. For others, I may take it, tell them I'm visiting/busy, and have only two minutes. Why two? One minute is often viewed as nonspecific, as is "a couple". But TWO minutes is plenty of time for most, and gives a perfect excuse for "Your two minutes is up. I REALLY hafta run. I'll call you later. Bu-bye.", and hang up. If they complain later, I just ask if it was anything important. It never is. So I say something like, "Well, President Bush needed my help in resolving world hunger. I figured it all out just as you called, but by the time I hung up, I forgot. If you see billions of really skinny people in front of your place tomorrow, now you'll know why."
If it's work, they can leave voicemail. I'll check it in a few and see if it's important. "It's <name> at work - call me ASAP" is never important. If they aren't freaked enough to leave a SPECIFIC message (HEY IronMan!!! Godzilla just ate your project!), it can wait.
I refuse to take a job where a cellphone is mandatory, unless we're talking major bucks and OT for off hours calls.
-IronMan
point being missed, hon
by mittens - 8/19/06 3:15 AM In reply to: refused to be ignored by IronManCurtiswhich is, it's not just the call. It's the invasiveness of it. In company, whether you are in it or of it, having the phone go off, and then answering it if only to say, "sorry,not right now" or some such, is the equivalent of Phonus Interruptus; the damage was done as soon as the phone rang. you said it yourself; "it's NEVER important". So I guess, unless you have a sick family member, or are EXPECTING a call (in which case you say you may be getting one), no one ever needs to know about the 'unimportant" phone calls you are not getting.
If you think of it as a stranger barging into someone's convo just to say 'hi' or to ask where the exit is, over and over, you can, I hope, see the connection. It's rude. Your caller can't know how or where you're occupied, but you do, so the burden is on you, as to manners and good behavior.
Possible Illegal Use?
by redzcar - 9/8/06 8:31 PM In reply to: refused to be ignored by IronManCurtisSooo...Which DUMMY actually gave their employer their cel phone number. If you gave your employer your cel phone number and then they call you when you're not at work - YOU DESERVE IT!
If you aren't the last emergency neurosurgeon on the planet Earth, then your employer doesn't need to know your cel phone number.
Thanks for insulting me ;)
by coalman - 9/9/06 11:45 AM In reply to: Possible Illegal Use? by redzcarI really appreciate you calling me a "DUMMY". I can't begin to describe to you how that brightens my day. You are an exemplary citizen, and human being, I must say.
To quote CNET's note at the bottom of the page: "Please remember to be considerate of other members." Need I say more???
As for the subject of giving my cell # to my employer... You see, my cellphone is the ONLY phone that I have. For most jobs, you are required to give your employer your telephone #. If you only have a cell, then that's the number you give your employer.
I don't talk on the phone very much, and I DO want a cellphone, so I bought a cellphone & said "goodbye" to the land-line. One less bill to pay 
Gee, what a "DUMMY" I am! [sarcasm]
What part of "emergency" don't you comprehend? hmm? ;)
by BlazeEagle - 9/18/06 5:00 PM In reply to: Possible Illegal Use? by redzcarWhile on call/duty & unless on break, emergency workers need to be available at all times.
***?
by HondaLover - 9/17/08 5:44 AM In reply to: Univited guest. by starrpointIf you allow these cretins into your life, then you are to blame. I just get rid of people who want to have conversations on a cell phone while I am entertaining them.
Side Note: I work in an office setting where someone in the next cubical leaves her cell phone while she is elsewhere. It has an obnoxious ringtone; It sounds like a ring from old movies. (Bringggggg <pause> Bringggggg <pause> Bringggggg, etc.) It has gotten to the point I click it on and then off when I hear it. I am tempted to run over the piece of crap in the parking lot...maybe even the phone. LOL I feel if you can't beat 'em, at least screw with them as much as they screw with your peace and quiet. I am almost 40 years old and have never owned cell phone. I don't ever intend to either due to the obnoxious factor and the fact that these mega-rich celluler companies are screwing people out of billions each year for such a silly service. These same companies could make a very decent amount of money and charge everyone a flat rate such as $20 month regardless of where they are calling. But why would they if there are plenty of idiots in the world willing to pay well over $50 a month for the honor of using their sevice. Be a rebell and take America back from the idiots and greed-mongers!
(NT) Driving while chatting on the phone.
by buzzw43 - 8/15/06 8:55 PM In reply to: What gets under your skin about public cell phone usage? by Marc Bennett
This is by all means should be at the top of the list!
It is just too much of a distraction from your primary focus. DRIVING THE CAR!!! I bought a bluetooth companion ear piece for my RAZR thinking a hands free would be better for driving and taking those important calls,(wink-wink) I was wrong and will admit it. It was still too distracting in that all it takes to change your life forever is one second of inattention
to the road. Not worth the price so I don't take or initiate calls anymore while driving.
KUDOS To You !
by schellack - 8/19/06 3:40 PM In reply to: (NT) Driving while chatting on the phone. by buzzw43So glad to hear that you have realized the distraction of cell phone use while driving.
Almost am glad to hear that you have decided to not take the calls while driving; you probably not only saved your life but lives of others.
Lots to complain about
by mwaldyke - 8/15/06 9:09 PM In reply to: What gets under your skin about public cell phone usage? by Marc Bennett
There is more and more compelling evidence that talking on a cell phone while driving is just dangerous--much like drinking and driving. Yes, that bad. But that's not all.
Where were some of these people when they were supposedly learning the concepts of manners and rudeness? Students take calls during exams, people get calls in movie theaters and at concerts and plays. People even pick up, after four or five rings, in church services. And start talking! Can they really be THAT clueless, or are they just that self-absorbed?
And then sometimes they can just be bewildering, like when somebody starts talking on a cell phone in a public rest room. They start talking away at normal, conversational loudness, and if you can't see 'em, you have no idea there's a phone involved--at least not at first. How do you respond to weirdness like that?
Folks, there are some places where you best just turn OFF the phone. And hold up on the urge to dial until you're out of the stall, and back in the hallway.
(NT) Re throne calls and the like.
by buzzw43 - 8/16/06 3:44 AM In reply to: Lots to complain about by mwaldykeIn reply to mwaldyke. I live in a small community on the west coast and I can honestly say that I have never had the pleasure of overhearing a one-sided conversation eminating from a stall in a public restroom. Sounds like foddor for a standup comedy.
Also, I personally don't understand allowing cells in the classroom. Are students bound by honor not to text the answers of an exam to their clueless freinds in class with them? I feel the same way about calculators in math class. Kids today aren't taught Why an answer is what it is and how you go about getting to it.I came from the old school where we were taught, for instance, how to count back change of a dollar, not depend on an electronic device to supply the answer
I don't believe for a moment that a student graduating from high school today could come close to the knowledge the average h.s. student who graduated in say 1965. You're a chem prof. What say you?
It is all about Manners!
by rstone63 - 8/16/06 6:13 AM In reply to: Lots to complain about by mwaldykeI Agree....This is all about manners or lack of. Kids in our youth group think that they have to take each and everyone of their friends calls immediately no matter how much they disrubt the group.
I "HAVE" to carry a cell phone because I am on call 24hrs a day. It doesn't mean I have the right to be rude and disruptive to everyone around me. Once in a while I might forget, but I almost always make sure I put it on vibrate when I am at the movies, a play or in a meeting, or even at Youth Group. If I get a call, I quietly leave the room and and take the call outside the room.
When I do have to take a call in public, I will try to find a less crowded or a more secluded place to talk, so that I can minimize the amount of disruption.
I refuse to answer while I am in the bathroom, I will wait until I am finished and then call them back. I should at least be allowed some private time, and then there is the whole cleanliness issue. I have had to replace phones for employees that have accidenatlly dropped them in the toilet.
I don't like the fact that some people get so upset about people who use cell phones in public. Not all of us are rude and clueless, some of us try to be polite about a necessary evil. It is those other peoples lack of manners that is giving cell phones a bad name. If everyone could just stop and think "Manners" before they use their phone, things would get better.
Excellent points that I agree with...
by BlazeEagle - 8/19/06 11:31 PM In reply to: It is all about Manners! by rstone63Are you a paramedic? Is that why your on call 24hrs a day? I'm not complaining or anything, am just curious is all.
Another "All of the Above" here!
by celtmaiden - 8/15/06 9:11 PM In reply to: What gets under your skin about public cell phone usage? by Marc Bennett
I have to agree with all of the above. Although, lengthy calls don't bother me unless it is on my phone. I hang up quick, I am greedy with my minutes. I hate the cell phone, and the home phone. If someone else wants to spend four hours talking on ANY phone, be my guest, just don't call me please.
Driving and talking on the cell phone is just way above way to many people, and they just don't know it.
My phone has programmable rings, and one family member rings the Exorcist. Can you tell how I feel about that person? Everyone likes the ring though. (vbeg)
And turn the dang thing off at the doctors, library, movies, etc. And unless it is very important, is there a reason to take a call while ordering your meal? Don't most people have voice mail on their phones?
And if you can't figure out how to work it, maybe you should have gotten the energi instead of the razor?
It's all pretty bad...
by skyesong - 8/15/06 9:19 PM In reply to: What gets under your skin about public cell phone usage? by Marc Bennett
On the phone while driving is certainly a serious safety issue, but what really gets to me are people who feel that they must answer their phone, always. Movie theaters, restaurants, mid-conversation, it's as though whoever they're with takes second place. I know someone who does this. In restaurants (and worse, movie theaters mid-show!) he'll answer and say "I'll call you back" - but I don't understand why he needs to answer the phone to say that. Most if not all cell phone models have missed call alerts, caller ID and voice mail now, so it's not hard to figure out who called. It *might* be excusable if he was a doctor, or otherwise used the phone for urgent business, but that's not the case.
I'm also bugged by phone models that vibrate louder than most ring tones.
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
