Most of us have one. Most of our kids either have or want to have one. Even most of our parents have one. What am I talking about? Yep, cellphones (as you may have guessed from the title of this blog). Cellphones are great. I don't know how we ever lived without them. Our parents must have had a lot of angst about where we were, who we were with, why we were not home when we were supposed to be... Imagine not being able to call your kid and say, "Hey, you were supposed to be home an hour ago, where are you?" Okay, okay, so maybe they will choose not to answer, but at least you can try. Of course that might be cause for alarm in itself. At least when they don't have a cell phone you know they won't answer, but when they do have one and they don't answer...then you really start to worry! Maybe they're not answering because they are lying in a ditch somewhere, or ...
But that really is not the point of this post. Today I'm on a rant about people who think the whole world wants to be included in their cell phone conversations. I mean, really, when I am at a nice restaurant on a date, do I want to hear Joe Schmoe's conversation with his colleague or his ex-wife? Although the latter might prove to be interesting, lol. Restaurants should ban cell phone use. Or maybe we need to lobby for a "cell phone section", you know, like the "smoking section". I'm just saying. It is totally unacceptable to ruin anyone's dinner date with you loud cell phone conversations.
And then there's the doctor's office waiting room. Yes, I get that you had to take time out of your busy day to visit the doctor's office. Yes, i know you have a lot to do, but geez, most of the the people in the waiting room are ill! They do not want to be privy to your phone conversation any more than those who are on a date at a nice restaurant. And the cellphone games...ugh! I was in a doctor's waiting room not too long ago, and a grown woman (and I am talking, in her 30's at least) was playing a game on her cell phone, and she was not quiet about it. I have to wonder if she was all there. What ever happened to etiquette, manners, common courtesy?
So yeah, cell phones are great . Until you have been forced to listen to one too many conversations that don't include you. What to do? I wonder how these evil cell phone addicts would react if we inserted ourselves into their conversations. "Oh no, you should never go that way..." . "Excuse me, I couldn't help but overhear (since you were being so l-o-u-d), I can tell you from experience, ..." Worth a try? Maybe...
3 comments:
OK, I'll admit to being a restaurant offender when I'm waiting for someone to join me and I have a lot of time to kill, but I really do try my best to keep my voice down, and I never do it if I'm in a quiet restaurant. Honestly! :-)
There was one time several years ago when cell phones were just beginning to get popular that I sat at a Toyota dealership waiting to have my truck serviced. A guy was on his phone in the waiting room talking very loudly. He had a looooong discussion about where to go for dinner that evening, and it was bothering, not just me, but everyone in the room (stares from all). I finally couldn't take it anymore and loudly told him to "Just go to restaurant "A" because they have better steaks than restaurant "B", and everyone knows that restaurant "B" overcharges simply for atmosphere anyway!" The guy was shocked into silence, as was I. It was one of those, “Did I just say that out loud?” moments. Talk about awesome timing, the Toyota service guy popped his head into the room and said my truck was ready as we all sat there staring at each other. I left quickly and without saying anything else.
Anyway, super loud cell phone conversations in public bug me too, so I try my best to not do it to other people.
Oh, and playing games with the sound on is just inexcusable.
@Christy:
LMAO! You go girl! See, you can get away with stuff like that because you're a cute little woman. If I pulled something like that, I'd probably get in a fight. And then arrested.
@Carrie:
I think my biggest pet peeve is...well, two actually. People who talk on their phones in line at the bank and the grocery store.
Banks are like libraries: they're quiet. I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that I've never heard someone whisper on their phone at the bank. I mean, really? Do we want or need to hear about your dog's vet appointment? In detail? Grocery stores a little different. At least their generally loud. I really don't care if someone's chatting on their phone in front of me while we're waiting to check out. But, for God's sake, when you get to the register, hang up! Maybe I just have OCD, but when it's my turn to check out, I have my groceries on the conveyor belt, I have my wallet and credit card out, and my Rewards card at the ready. If I happen to be on the phone (and, yes, I've done it), I end the call before the cashier asks if I have any coupons. (They don't really ask that anymore, but I'm makin' a point here!)
Cell phones used to be a status symbol, but they aren't anymore. Everyone's got one, even kids and technologically challenged old people. So I'm not impressed if you have your little Bluetooth earpiece in and you're discussing global warming or your latest client. Shut the hell up and pay for your food, dammit! LOL!
Gosh, sorry guys that I never responded to your comments. Guess I just don't come here often enough, and when I do, I just want to get in and get out as fast as I can.
@Christy: You are braver than I am! I would love to do something like that, but am a major chicken. That sure was great timing!
@Steven: Lol, I agree!
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