Just Call Me on My Celly...

Cell Phone Etiquette

Published on January 31, 2004 By Does it matter In Gadgets & Electronics

Nothing is more distracting when sitting in a silent room, and in the midst of the silence a cell phone rings. I have to admit I am an owner of a cell phone. I never wanted to get one in the first place for the following:

A) They are a pain when you need to make a phone call, and the battery is just about dead.

There is always some one who is trying to you to "upgrade" to one that takes pictures. (what the hell do I need to take pictures for on my phone???)
C) The contracts... the daaaaaamn contracts! What if I don't want my phone in a year. I have to pay $200 to get out of the damn thing.

Sure, there are some upsides to having a the mobile device around, don't get me wrong on that. Then there are people who use their phones in the stupidest ways. For example:

My friend Amanda likes to call me in the studio where she is not even 1,000 feet away. She will walk up to me while still talking, and then hang-up. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD that is so stupid! Better yet when you are trying to have a serious conversation with her if the phone rings she'll pick it up, and talk for fucking ever with who's ever on the ever-loving other end of the phone.

Also people who like to make their phone converstions a Public Announcement. I don't care if you are talking to your Aunt Jemima in Illinois... keep it to yourself. Some think they should have to talk louder when the person on the other end is much softer. It is a phone, just because the other person is not as loud as you are doesn't mean you are going to change the sound by screaming into the damn thing!

Besides the cell phones have made people lazier, it is easy for them to call next door then to prance over a few feet. Why do people do it? I think because it is there.

I have become dependent on my cell phone mainly because it is my only phoneline. Sure it is convient to have it around all the time, but often I silence it because I don't want to deal with people when I am up to my eyeballs in clay, or I am tired. I am still keen on the therory if you really need to get a hold of me... you will come find me.

Comments

new-age nomad

on Jan 31, 2004

Hey! Thank you!!! I DETEST cellphones! When I want to just talk a person, and even when the conversation is very serious, I have yet to encounter a person who can say no to the ring of a cellphone.

Ohhhh, and the rings! WHy????? God help us. Trinitie

p.s. I have vowed to never have a cell phone, but I know one of these days I will give in to the luxeries of modern day comfort. *damn*

crimson

on Jan 31, 2004

I hate phones, period. Cellphone or otherwise. I am the owner of a cellphone and up until last week, it was my only phone. Having a daughter, I did feel that it was necessary for her school to be able to reach me. As a student, I was never home, so it seemed to make sense. Now, however, I have a home telephone and got it because I was so sick of my battery dying on me, and of spending the time setting up the pay-as-you-go cards (calling the number, listening to their ads each time you wanted to access a service, etc.). Here's the thing. I hate it when people feel that they have to answer the phone. If it rings, there is no great law that says you are obligated to pick it up. It bothers the hell out of me when I am in the midst of a great conversation and the phone rings, and the person I am talking with bolts to get it. Now that I have my cellphone, my sister calls me at least 4 times a day. Love her, and love everyone else in my life, just not so happy with being so accessible.

stevendedalus

on Feb 03, 2004

I'm with NickyG; I don't have a cellphone for fear of looking the fool in the aisle of a supermarket talking up a storm. Even the regular phone, I'd tear out of the wall if I didn't have an answering machine to frustrate the telemarketers.

Does it matter

on Feb 03, 2004

My grandmother gets pissed off at people with cell phones in the supermarket. I do also... I cannot stand when they stand in the middle of the aisle, or lean over the cart lolly-gagging around talking. I think it is rude. Also what is so important that has to be discussed in the middle of the store? Can't it wait until home or at least until the car? I cannot say I approve of people talking on the phone and driving at the same time. I know I have done it before, and it leaves me w/ little concentration with what is going on in traffic. Therefore I will not do it. I have been hit but someone driving and talking on the phone, she wasn't paying attention to what she was doing because she was too busy talking. I know in some states (and I do believe in most) it is illegal to talk and drive at the same time. I believe a "hands-free" set is required if one is going to talk & drive.

Muggaz

on Feb 03, 2004

A University here just ran some tests, and its proven that talking on a cell phone has the same negligible effect on you brain as 0.08 milligrams of alcohol in your blood. The breath limit here for driving is 0.05.

You know what i also dont like? those freaken pretentious fools who think a phone is a fashion accessory. superficial twats.

I am a hypocrite of the highest degree though - i dont know what i would do without my phone... how would i find my friends at the shopping centres or football?

Jamie Burnside

on Feb 03, 2004

I echo the sentiment of the last entry. Having a cellular phone is fantastic for finding your friends in crowded places.

I also enjoy the text-messaging feature on my phone. It has the immediacy of a telephone conversation with the brevity of an e-mail message. That way you also don't have to speak aloud in public.

Muggaz

on Feb 03, 2004

How may times have you received the same text message twice?

its a sure fire sign that the sender is probably stoned or drunk... The phones should beep really loudly when the message is sent, rather than just a little inconspicuos flash that you can inadvertantly miss if you blink.

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