Cell phones: friend or foe?

[DrummerDeanna]

Okay...this is a bit of rant thread...but it's really not meant to offend any of you cell phone enthusiasts out there...

First off I do own a cell phone, I got it when I knew I would be driving to Phoenix by myself to see FM last summer...and it really did come in handy....and now I keep it around..but it's either off or on silent most of the time...

Now recently it's like people have forgotten all common etiquette and cell phones are like life's one thread or something. Examples: in at least three of my classes people do nothing but sit and text message through the whole class, it's very distracting and rude and why even show up to class if that's all you're going to do?? Next in two of my classes people are out right answering their phones during class and initiating calls!!! This is really beginning to piss me off!! Also haha..I told you this was a rant thread....I just came back from the gym...I like to just zone out/work out hard etc...well today every bike or other machine I got on the person next to me - their cell phone would ring and they'd just gab away...while half-assedly pedaling on the bike or doing the eliptical....ggrrrr...it was totally annoying!!!

So...do I just need to lighten up? Or is anyone else totally bugged by the "rudening" of society thanks to cell phones?

[DeeGeMe]

I love my cell but clearly, there ought to be some rules on when and how it should be used. I remember reading a great story about Kevin Spacey when he was doing a Eugene O'Neill play on Broadway. Some idiot's cell phone went off in the middle of the play and Spacey stopped everything--went over to the edge of the stage and asked the offender, "Do you want us to wait while you get that?"

[Carlene]

Yes, I keep one for emergencies, but like you, I don't keep it turned on.

The lack of common courtesy with regard to cell phone use is appalling.

I thought I had seen it all, but last weekend, someone's cell phone went off during mass! And it kept ringing!!!

Driving while talking on the phone is my biggest pet peeve, I think. It's just so dangerous. If you HAVE to talk while you drive, get one of those hands-free things.

[golden braid]

I'm not really into cell phones either. I have one but I usually keep it turned off. I do use it on weekends to make long distance calls since I have unlimited weekends minutes. And I do like to have it with me when I travel.

[darklinensuit]

I should get one, but if I have to choose between getting one & more Mac concerts, you can guess the rest.
We're having difficulty with them at school. They're not allowed at the MS, only at the HS, but kids are breaking the rule all the time. I hope I don't offend anybody here (and sorry if I do), but why does a parent need to supply an eleven-year-old with his own cell phone for the school day? Every classroom has a phone, so I don't buy the emergency excuse, and we have a gated lot entrance with security guards (and all kids are carpooled, with no buses or walking), so I don't buy the kidnapping one.

- Jake

[tommer]

although i do think cellphones etiquette must improve (and i think it does. what you were describing here are things that usually happen with NEW and unexperienced users of cellulars), by now i am phisically and emotionally depended on my cellphone.
i have one for 10 years now (not the same one of course, i upgrade models every other year, and i also managed to LOSE three sets ) and i cannot imagine my life without it, if i don't have it on me i feel as if i'm naked.

for all you guys who can't get use to it i can only say "if you can't beat them- join them" there will be no escape. the US can be considered a developing market comparing to what you've got here. in a country of less than 7 million people, you've got 6.5 million mobiles, which means statistically that if you're older than 10 and younger than 80, you probably own much more than a single mobile for you guys there will be no escape. get use to it.

[GardenStateGirlie]

They've just passed a law in the state of NJ making it illegal to drive while using a cellphone. Unfortunately, you will only be ticketed for using it if you are pulled over for something else.

I don't think it's necessary for a ten year old to have a cellphone...not while in school. If your child is going somewhere and you feel it's necessary to keep tabs on them and lend your own cellphone out, that's one thing, but to actually give a child a cellphone?

A few years ago, they seemed to be sort of the new status symbol. If you had one, you must be important. Now I see people riding on bikes that appear to not have a pot to piss in nor a window to throw it out of, talking on cellphones.

I do own one and it was initially purchased because I was travelling back and forth to Philadelphia all the time so if something happened, i'd be able to call for help. Now, I use it to talk to everyone. I pay $40 a month for it, get free nights and weekends, long distance and I do indeed get my moneys worth.

[tommer]

Originally posted by GardenStateGirlie
They've just passed a law in the state of NJ making it illegal to drive while using a cellphone. Unfortunately, you will only be ticketed for using it if you are pulled over for something else.

that's very merciful!
here, if a cop sees you even holding a mobile while driving, you get an immediate mandatory fine which is about 170 us$ or so.

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

Same here Tommer... it's just become illegal to use a cellphone while driving over here too. You can use the hands free thingy but people are trying to get that banned too. I think here you get a heavy fine as well as penalty points on your driving license.

People can be rude with cellphones but I could never be without mine now.

Pip

[sparky]

My JOB seems to require my use of a cell phone these days. When I have over a dozen people working for me running around all over over the city, and our schedules are changing at the whims of idiots, it is a necessity. Do I hate it ? Of course I do, but I need it : (

[ryan8472]

Originally posted by darklinensuit
I should get one, but if I have to choose between getting one & more Mac concerts, you can guess the rest.
We're having difficulty with them at school. They're not allowed at the MS, only at the HS, but kids are breaking the rule all the time. I hope I don't offend anybody here (and sorry if I do), but why does a parent need to supply an eleven-year-old with his own cell phone for the school day? Every classroom has a phone, so I don't buy the emergency excuse, and we have a gated lot entrance with security guards (and all kids are carpooled, with no buses or walking), so I don't buy the kidnapping one.

- Jake

I agree with you. A lot of kids at my highschool are always bringing their cells to class (like they are really expecting an important call), and it's becoming a problem for the teachers. That's why they're not allowed any more. Another thing is, some friends of my family (whom we get together with often -my sister plays softball with their daughter) gave all their kids their own cell phone. Now, what does a 9 year old need with a cell phone? All it is is a new toy, that happens to have a high monthly bill.

And to the original question- I hate cell phones. I don't really see the need for them, unless you are a businessman or need it for emergencies only in the car. I think my dad put it best ~ If I wanted to get away from everything, I wouldn't want a cell phone so that people could call to know where I was!

[laurie816]

It's all about the etiquette

I find it quite comical (or sad) that someone could be in line at the bank and literally fight with their significant other while we all stand around and have NO choice but to listen.

We avoided a head on collision just a couple months ago because some lady couldn't steer and talk on the phone at the same time

Even in church...right in the middle of the Eucharist cell phones go off

Now you can take pictures on phones, IM on phones and I ask myself....do we REALLY need to be in touch THAT MUCH?????

I have one but only for emergencies. The rest of the world can wait for me when I get home

[darklinensuit]

Originally posted by laurie816

Even in church...right in the middle of the Eucharist cell phones go off

I'm sure these church-goers have only religion in mind. You just never know when the Pope might need to reach a person, right?

- Jake

[DrummerDeanna]

*Phew* After my rant I thought people were gonna be like, geez lighten up ya (explitive) hahaha....but hey, good to know I'm not the only one seeing these things as a nuisance...

As for kids having cell phones, I also find that SO annoying and unecessary!

There has been talk of banning cell phones on college campuses lately because people are getting caught cheating on tests via text messaging!!

Also I recently read an intriguining article about how camera phones are becoming real problems due to security reasons/privacy reason etc....like their being used in bathrooms, changing rooms, strip clubs etc without other people's knowledge...

I have no problem with cell phones themselves, they are convenient and I can get free long distance...I have a BIG problem with the complete lack of etiquette....

And yep...I know it can only get worse from here....so I'm trying to just deal...but I think I may have anger management issue lol...

Also...someone mentioned how a few years ago they were a sign of status etc....but now everyone has them...SO true...during Christmas our church does a giving tree and people can come and sign up for it (not the best method IMO) anyway, my friend works in our church office and some lady would come in, sign her kids up for the giving tree...then her several hundred dollar flip phone would ring and he'd be like....Uh....you can't afford presents for your kid but you can get that!?! Also there's a health facility here for the homeless or extreme poor and I recently interviewed the lady who ran it and she's mad because so many people can't pay for life-saving medication or simple cold pills but they sure as hell can pay for a cell phone....I'm not really trying to pass judgement on these people..at all, I'm just trying to show some example of cp's no longer being a sing of status..

Okay I've rambled on long enough....

[estranged4life]

I hate the F'N things (In 3 years of having a cellphone I have only used it for less than 40 hours total time)...

I wished Oklahoma would make driving while yappin' illegal because these idiots are the worse of the worse in that catergory.

Brian "Hang up and drive ya stupid @#$%^&* "j.