Local Places Discussions

Oh, that cell phone thing drives me NUTS!  I can think of a lot of other things that bug me but they'll just raise my blood pressure so I'll stick with the cell phone thing.  For now :)

You are supposed to turn cell phones off in hospitals because they interfere with certain medical equipment. When my mother was on the heart floor (although she was not in there for her heart, she had a brain aneurysm), people would not turn off their phones and would cause the machines to go off and to work improperly. That was really rude. People CAN live without their phones for a few minutes. I have one but I always turn it off when the signs say to!

It comes down to ediquette, manners and common sense.  It is also a generational problem.  The young "techies" brains are wired to their electronics.  Older people seem to be more considerate.  As far as cellphone use in medical facilities, I worked for a large medical practice.  Cellphones did not interfere with the medical equipment, including cardiac.  We put signs up because they are disruptive.  A doctor would be examining a patient and when cell rings, they expected the doctor to stop and let them take the call.  Also, the doctors used their cellphones when they rounded the hospital.  That was the primary way we communicated with them.  They may interfere with some equip, but that is not a general rule. 

I have to agree that it is rude to use cell phones when in church. I will add to this by saying that people should not use them in check out lines or at a drive through window. Also, people should not use them when in a public restuarant. I think that cell phones have become too accessible to the younger population, and as a result we are paying increased cell phone bills for texting, wireless services including internet and other features. Also the insurance prices are ridiculous.

I may not always turn it off per se, but I will turn it to vibrate.  If it's a case where it MUST be off mine is always off... or not even with me.  With small children at home, It is important that my sitter can get ahold of me as needed.  When I'm in a meeting, there are only a few people I will answer a call from when I'm in a situation where phones are not recommended.  That is something that drives me nuts though is that others do not turn their's off or answer ever call that comes in.

Something funny happened at my aunt's church one day.  The priest had just concluded his sermon with an extra little speech about how rude it is to have a cell phone turned on in church.  He instructs everyone to either leave their cells at home or make sure they are turned off.  He turns around to walk back to the altar and HIS cell phone went off!  My aunt said everyone just about died laughing!

 

I don't fault people for their phones going off, as long as they stop it and turn it off right away.  Most of the time it's an accident or they thought it was off.  It's the first thing I do when I walk in to church, but there were a few times I forgot.  Luckily I generally don't get calls on Sunday morning so it hasn't been a concern.

One thing that gets me lately is that people are bringing their cell phones into meetings.  And the weirdest part is they never answer, they just look to see who is calling.  So why bring it?  I don't know. 

I really don't think the cell phone problem is a young person's problem anymore. Kids are always texting and stuff but it is adults who seem to have phones glued to their ears or fingers wherever I go. I have a cell phone with web access and all that but I really feel it is rude to use it when I am with others. If I get a call from home, of course I will answer it. If my kids call, I will answer. But otherwise, I won't talk on the phone and I won't text when I am out with others oir at someone's home.

I was at a restaurant a couple of nights ago and a phone went off and just about everyone there checked to see if it was theirs. Couples were sitting there on the phone with other people and others were texting and trying to eat at the same time. There really is nothing THAT important that you can't stop using the phone when you're with someone socially. My sister used to talk on the phone constantly when we went places and I finally said I wouldn't go anywhere any longer because she never talked TO ME. She now only uses the phone for home calls or whatever and doesn't chit chat when we are out and we both have a better time.

Cell phones are proof of our narcissism.  That's all I got to say about that.....

Patty,

Funny you should mention the restaurant scene.  Recently my wife and I were out to a restaurant and the couple at the next table spent almost their entire time on their cellphones.

That restaurant scene rang a bell for me too, Patty.  I'm beginning to think that the cell phone might have turned out to be a real hardship as much as a convenience, especially for working people. 

I tried to go out to eat lunch with an ex-fellow worker from the bank a few years ago.  What a mistake that was.  I had asked her if she took a lunch break away from her desk and if she wanted to go out, just for old time's sake.  we were glad to see each other and enjoyed lunch at the Corner Bakery -- or at least i enjoyed it because she had brought a cell phone with her which was an extension of the phone on her desk somehow.

So all through lunch, the cell phone kept going off and she had to keep answering it, fielding incoming calls to her desk and conversations about what was going on back in the office.  She spent more time on the phone trying to explain things to someone else than actually eating.  Meanwhile, her salad just sat there hardly touched and she looked stressed. 

After that, it was easier just not to try to have lunch again but it is a shame that, thanks to cell phones, some people are instantly accessible wherever they are, whether they are in the office or not.  I think now we are still in the "honeymoon" phase with cell phones where it seems wonderful to carry one and be able to get phone calls everywhere but as time goes by, people might begin to resent that.

 

 

Anna, sounds like a case of people overworking.  It kills me when I see people who can't take a break for lunch.  It is everyone's right to take a break!  Everyone needs a break to get their mind off things.

Some people think that the world can't live without them for an hour - it can - people can wait.  It's this "need it now" attitude that people have to stop!  Your job is just that, your job.  It's not supposed to take over your personal life.  Then when there are people like that girl, who feel they HAVE to answer even when they are out, they are feeding that need it now attitude and making those people think it is OK to get you to drop your lunch to do it now.  She probably answers the phone at midnight too.

Well I guess it depends on the people.  When we go out to eat - it's because we want to spend some time together.  But on the otherhand I do know people who just never cook and going out to eat is just a way to get food.  

I'd kill my husband though if he decided to talk on the cell phone our whole meal.  I don't mind 5 minutes, but that's about it.

It is a pet peeve of mine to see people on their cell phones when they drive.  Or even worse, when they text!  I thought I had heard it was going to be made a law that it wasn't allowed??

Laws are showing up state by state and sometimes city by city.  I believe that in some cities around here you can get a $500 fine if you are caught on your cell phone and had an accident.  I don't believe you can be pulled over purely for cell phone usage yet, but you it can be added on to another offense.

vivasuzi said…

Well I guess it depends on the people.  When we go out to eat - it's because we want to spend some time together.  But on the otherhand I do know people who just never cook and going out to eat is just a way to get food.  

I'd kill my husband though if he decided to talk on the cell phone our whole meal.  I don't mind 5 minutes, but that's about it.

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Mine doesn't talk on the phone (cell or land) to anyone more than 5 minutes so not a big worry there.

I also agree with Mike... I went a year without a phone simply because of expenses. We finally broke down and got one after I received a supervisory role at work and we have 2 kids who may need something.  We have the smallest family plan and NEVER come close to using the minutes on it.  Now after not having one for so long, it's not uncommon for me to walk out the door without it and I've had this one for over a year now.

I actually never forget mine, but only because for the first 2 years of marriage we did not have a house phone.  With the cell phone being our only form of communication, I never left without it.  We just got a home phone a few weeks ago and I'm still not used to using it instead of my cell when I call people.

But I also use it for other reasons which is why I can't leave it at home.  1) the time :)  I don't wear a watch ever and I just have to know the time.  2) notes to self!  I'm very forgetful and my cell phone has a notepad that really helps!  3) updating my facebook status - haha.  Actually I only do this on vacation.  We go internet free on vaca so I like to send a picture or text a few times a day of where we are and what we did that day.

I hate those bluetooth devices! I understand wearing one when you are driving or doing some other task that requires using your hands, but people come into my office talking into one & get angry when I answer a question they ask. How am I supposed to know you were talking to someone through your earpiece!? Then they get angry when they ask me a question & I don't answer, assuming they are still on the phone. It's a lose/lose situation for me.

When my husband first got a bluetooth, he used to try and just wear it even when he wasn't on the phone.  I said - you aren't that important :-D  Take it off!  Maybe you should say that to those people that come into your office.

I am addicted to my phone, but there is deff a time and place when you should and shouldnt be using it. I hate those bluetooths also I get confused when ppl are walking around talking on them. I also hate when ppl are on the phone at the grocery check out it always holds everything up.

A few years ago, we went to the Detroit Science Center and had to park a little bit away.  It's Detroit, so we are always a little bit on edge already.  Well as we were walking back to the car this guy was coming towards us just talking to himself.  It's Detroit, so we crossed the street just to be safe.  Only after he passed on the other side did we see the wire coming down from his headset and a phone in his hand.

Bluetooth makes it even worse because there isn't even a wire!  I have never talked on a bluetooth but think it makes everyone look a bit crazy at first :)

Americans are just RUDE.  I was at the Radio City Christmas show a couple of years ago and the big finale is the nativity scene with live sheep, llamas, etc.  There was an announcement prior to the scene reminding everyone not to use their cameras as it may spook the animals and endanger the performers.  You would have thought freaking Madonna was on stage and the paparazzi were in the seats with the thousands of flashes going off.  I was disgusted.

People that cannot follow simple rules and laws make me crazy... but that is coming from the schmuck who doesn't park in a 5-minute spot if it is going to take me 10 and who doesn't attempt to use a coupon for Lenox when it specifically says that Lenox is excluded.  Some days I wonder who is the bigger fool.

 

I only turn my phone on when I want to use it because I don't like to answer my phone while driving.

I took my son out for his birthday this week. Our server carried on a personal conversation on his cell phone while waiting the table. I mentioned it to the manager when he ASKED about our dining experience. The manager said, "What's the difference? You got your food right?" I think I'll call and leave a "tip." Don't talk on the cell phone when I eat at your restaurant, because I won't be back. And, I've gone to Monterrey's of Salisbury, NC for over 20 yrs and tip very well usually.

I, by the way, turn off my cell phone in restaurants and most everywhere else and give my attention to the people around me.

All I have to say is that voicemail was invented for a reason.

I've seen the rudeness in hospitals and doctors offices with signs clear as day but last year at my uncles funeral DURING the service a cell phone rang AND a lady answered it.  The person on the other end obviously asked where are you...she replies..at a funeral.  Then we hear "oh ____ died".  That I think was the rudest I've seen with the cell phones.

 The rudest time I have seen a cell go off...but was turned into humor...

  My friend Erin died last January, at her funeral everyone was aked to turn off their cell's. The service was almost over when the preacher looked to the sky and said ok now lets conclude this service...does anyone have any last words to say?  His Cell phone starts ringing...the whole church goes quiet...We laughed and figured it was Erin saying ok lets get this over, and yall go have some laughs and memories....It was the only way to look at it, with some humor, cause thats how Erin was...

 

I don't get the non-stop cell phone use. I was on a plane trip this weekend and noticed some people talking on the cell phone non-stop (e.g. they are now making us turn off our cell phones, we are now exiting the plane, we are now at the baggage carrousel, I just saw my luggage, blah blah blah). And why do peeople with such boring conversations talk so loud?

 Because they are bored and hope if they talk loud enough, someone will chime in with something not boring to talk about..lol

People who drive with a phone in hand drives me nuts. They do not pay attention to the surroundings. Pull right out in front of you! Sit tooo long at a green light. It's just plain rude, if you must be on your phone pull over in a parking lot, side street what have you. But pay attention! It's a privilege to be on the road, it's not a right to drive. That is stated in the law, can be easily taken away.

I have noticed more and more stores will not serve you if you are on your cell phone. They have signs up, "Please finish your call or you will not be waited on". I say good for the store owners, people are also not paying attention to what monies they are handing over. Then they claim more was given to the clerk. Well if they were not on their phone, they would be paying attention to what they are handing over. So grief is what is trying to be saved, the hassle of cell phone users.

It's a distraction, whether it be driving, shopping. I look at as rudeness. What would they do if the cell phone was never invented? I have a pay as you go phone, which I use for emergency purposes. Hard to find a pay phone (even the one's you do find are pretty gross).  Commonsense and curtousy(?), that is what is lacking.

I have call waiting on my home phone, I know I can see who is calling me, the call behind the call. If it is the doctor or something very important I've been waiting for I may take the call. Otherwise I'll call back the person who was calling. A lot of older folks really get offended by that, I don't blame them. It's like your saying your not important enough, hold on a second. I guess somethings are still old school to me, coming from a generation that didn't have all this fancy stuff. I'm not that old (46) I just look at it as respect. People use to get a busy signal, and try back later. If it was that important an operator would break in....man I'm dating myself. I guess I better break out the cane or walker.....lol...I guess it comes down to can't it wait? Patience's is a virtue!