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April 5, 2009
Cell Phone Miscellany
[Nothing in this post should be interpreted as support for the various proposed bans on the use of cell phones, hand held or other, while driving. Frankly, some of us would like to amend the Constitution, or at least see a Supreme Court ruling, forever guaranteeing the use of cell phones while carrying on the otherwise unproductive activity of driving.]
It's not quite as anachronistic as a horse and buggy. But I still do a double take upon seeing a driver talking on a cell phone without an ear piece, blue or any other colored tooth. They're so handy! Why doesn't everyone use them? Though granted, some of us take it a little too far, wearing them even when not on a call so as to make up for the long, long years without one.
And, of course, the double take becomes a stare of alarm when it's someone carrying on their conversation as they navigate across an intersection in an attention deprived condition, two hands doing tasks intended for at least three, leaving the thoroughfare where traffic is coming in four directions to the parking lot where it's coming from all directions. As one hastily waves the multitasking driver across one's bow in the interest of everyone's safety, unbidden comes the thought, "There ought to be a law", followed quickly by a flash lecture from one's small government conscience: "We cannot save everyone from themselves".
As for cell phone ethiquette in public. It is considered rude to talk on your cell phone when you're in a face to face service situation - ordering food, paying a bill, inside a bank at a teller window. Some establishments have even posted signs requesting that their customers not carry on cell phone conversations while ordering or transacting.
I agree it's rude and I refrain from doing it. My question is, why? Why is it considered rude?
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""There ought to be a law", followed quickly by a flash lecture from one's small government conscience: "We cannot save everyone from themselves".
No, we can't and shouldn't save everyone from themselves, but we should protect people from others. My wife and I have it down to a science now, we can always pick out the people who are chatting on their cell phones. You can see them from behind on the highways. Usually going somewhere between 45 and 50 mph and swerving all across their lane, sometimes even seemingly changing lanes before righting themselves back into their own lane. It really is as if they're driving while intoxicated. To me, as long as DWI is going to be on the books, talking while driving should be against the law as well. Hands free or not, the problem isn't the act of holding a device up to the ear, the problem is the focus of attention is shifted to the phone call, away from what is more important, driving.
Yes, there oughta be a law.
Posted by: Patrick at April 5, 2009 10:53 AMI think people who use their cellphones in public are just plain ignorant idiots.
I don't know any other way to express my distaste for a technology that has made the world smaller. Telephones, television, airplanes all have made our world smaller, faster, smarter and available at the touch of a finger.
Cellphones on the other hand, have made it possible to include YOU into a part of the world whether you choose to be there or not. Idiots who use cellphones in public are inviting people in their periphery to interact with the conversation at hand.
People on cellphones often forget they are not in the safe and laxed confines of their own homes. How many times have we heard people speaking of very private matters like we are not suppose to listen?
There is a way to disable cellphones while driving, the technology is there and there are currently three companies offering services to parents to disable their kids cellphones if they are in a moving car.
I hate cellphones in public and I often try to induce aggravating pink noise when someone is trying to use one in public. If they pay no mind to aggravating me then I feel I should do my best to return the favor.
Posted by: Roland at April 5, 2009 10:15 PMConvert to Islam!
I saw a woman today, in North Attleborough, driving a van with her cellphone held in-place by her head wrap. She just slid it in there and was able to talk hands-free, sans the $34.99 (+/-) blue tooth piece.
Posted by: George at April 5, 2009 11:01 PM"I often try to induce aggravating pink noise when someone is trying to use one in public. If they pay no mind to aggravating me then I feel I should do my best to return the favor."
Heh, I've often wanted to do the same with regard to smokers and aggravating me with their second hand smoke. I've thought it would be interesting to stand nearby and rip away with flatulence and see their reaction. However, one is harmful to the other person's health and the other is not. So it's ironic to see which one is viewed as more "disgusting".
Posted by: Patrick at April 6, 2009 6:17 AMI'm old enough that when I see someone walking and talking to thin air, in the first split second, all I can think is - 'de-institutionalized lunatic'.
Posted by: chuckR at April 6, 2009 7:29 AM