# Brothers, Sisters and their cell phones: this is a totally racist ERRR "cultural"? observation **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 7, 2016, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brothers-sisters-and-their-cell-phones-this-is-a-totally-racist-errr-cultural-observation/765260 "2016-09-07T06:57:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2016, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brothers-sisters-and-their-cell-phones-this-is-a-totally-racist-errr-cultural-observation/765260/21 "2016-09-08T00:10:16Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > Without defending the OP’s unscientific personal observations, for what it’s worth, Nielsen has consistently [found](http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/news/2015/you-used-to-call-me-on-my-cell-phone-trends-in-the-us-telecom-industry.html) that African-Americans use more cell phone minutes than any other racial demographic, at times [twice](http://abcnews.go.com/WN/cell-phones-demography-nielsen-data-breaks-mobile-phone/story?id=11468925) as much as whites. Well, no one said your defending my OP but this shows I might be on to something. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2016, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brothers-sisters-and-their-cell-phones-this-is-a-totally-racist-errr-cultural-observation/765260/22 "2016-09-08T00:15:01Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > Now the stinging question is: Was she black? _runs_ > > ETA: And of course, if yes, is it a sufficient sample size for statistical analysis? Both of them were. Having seen this dual telephone bitching once, it is not a valid sample. But I bet Lithuanian women do it! ---
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2016, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brothers-sisters-and-their-cell-phones-this-is-a-totally-racist-errr-cultural-observation/765260/23 "2016-09-08T00:23:09Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I don’t get it. You’re a white guy but all your brothers are black. > > Were you adopted? > > :dubious: Thanks for posting. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2016, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brothers-sisters-and-their-cell-phones-this-is-a-totally-racist-errr-cultural-observation/765260/24 "2016-09-08T00:25:55Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > Since we’re just putting things out there - on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, how disappointed will you be if no one calls you out for your brothers & sisters schtick? Explain the “schtick”. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2016, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brothers-sisters-and-their-cell-phones-this-is-a-totally-racist-errr-cultural-observation/765260/25 "2016-09-08T00:27:37Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Ha, I just saw three black women in a row clutching cellphones. > > Thusly, the association is proved by research. Nothing in my OP suggested my observations were in any way scientific. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2016, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brothers-sisters-and-their-cell-phones-this-is-a-totally-racist-errr-cultural-observation/765260/26 "2016-09-08T00:39:20Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > Explain the “schtick”. Yiddish. Style, method of performance, comic routine. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2016, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brothers-sisters-and-their-cell-phones-this-is-a-totally-racist-errr-cultural-observation/765260/27 "2016-09-08T01:14:32Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I did see a woman on a Kroger parking lot holding a phone so that the other could gesticulate with both hands as she screamed at the telephone. > [@russian\_heel](#): > > Explain the “schtick”. > Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk There’s a “selfie schtick” joke dwelling here somewhere… ---
**Author:** ![inscrutable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a88e4f/32.png) [@inscrutable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inscrutable)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2016, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brothers-sisters-and-their-cell-phones-this-is-a-totally-racist-errr-cultural-observation/765260/28 "2016-09-08T01:43:18Z")
Being in your own little cell phone world covers you for not having/showing any manners/respect for others. ---
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2016, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brothers-sisters-and-their-cell-phones-this-is-a-totally-racist-errr-cultural-observation/765260/29 "2016-09-08T06:15:17Z")
> [@inscrutable](#): > > Being in your own little cell phone world covers you for not having/showing any manners/respect for others. Now THAT is racist. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2016, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brothers-sisters-and-their-cell-phones-this-is-a-totally-racist-errr-cultural-observation/765260/30 "2016-09-08T10:33:03Z")
> [@russian\_heel](#): > > Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk > [@russian\_heel](#): > > Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk > [@russian\_heel](#): > > Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk > [@russian\_heel](#): > > Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk So . . . you’re Black, right? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2016, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brothers-sisters-and-their-cell-phones-this-is-a-totally-racist-errr-cultural-observation/765260/31 "2016-09-08T12:36:20Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > So . . . you’re Black, right? Basic suburban teenage white girl. ---
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2016, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brothers-sisters-and-their-cell-phones-this-is-a-totally-racist-errr-cultural-observation/765260/32 "2016-09-09T05:12:15Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > So . . . you’re Black, right? Never said I wasn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2016, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brothers-sisters-and-their-cell-phones-this-is-a-totally-racist-errr-cultural-observation/765260/33 "2016-09-09T23:08:59Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > How can you be sure they were actually [black](http://150597036.r.cdn77.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/jpg00008.jpg)? I had blocked that scene from my mind. THANKS JERK :mad: To the OP - you’re a racist. Your observations reflect a racial bias and that bias almost certainly colors (heheh) your opinions and potentially your actions. Why did you think it was ok for you to keep eavesdropping on people whose business was not your business? Why did you not respect their privacy? Sharing these observations was an attempt to get us to agree w/ you b/c you already feel your bias and it bugs you (I know not why). Have a great day! **Smapti** , you made me snort. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2016, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brothers-sisters-and-their-cell-phones-this-is-a-totally-racist-errr-cultural-observation/765260/34 "2016-09-09T23:36:01Z")
> [@Nawth\_Chucka](#): > > To the OP - you’re a racist. Please don’t call another poster a racist outside of the Pit. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brothers-sisters-and-their-cell-phones-this-is-a-totally-racist-errr-cultural-observation/765260/35 "2016-09-10T00:55:52Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > Please don’t call another poster a racist outside of the Pit. Thanks. I thought I was agreeing w/ them saying they’re racist, it’s in the title! ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brothers-sisters-and-their-cell-phones-this-is-a-totally-racist-errr-cultural-observation/765260/36 "2016-09-10T01:14:01Z")
> [@Nawth\_Chucka](#): > > I thought I was agreeing w/ them saying they’re racist, it’s in the title! A fair point, and I had forgotten the thread title. After re-reading the OP in its entirety, consider my note directed specifically at you to be rescinded. **THIS IS DIRECTED TO EVERYONE IN THIS THREAD** : I recognize that the OP raised the issue of whether or not he is a racist. Even though that issue is on the table for debate, the discussion needs to remain civil. I’m asking that all participants make a concerted effort to stay well within the boundaries of civility. And if you don’t feel like you can do that, please take your comments to a more appropriate forum. Thanks to everyone. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2016, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brothers-sisters-and-their-cell-phones-this-is-a-totally-racist-errr-cultural-observation/765260/37 "2016-09-10T01:16:11Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > A fair point, and I had forgotten the thread title. After re-reading the OP in its entirety, consider my note directed specifically at you to be rescinded. > > **THIS IS DIRECTED TO EVERYONE IN THIS THREAD** : I recognize that the OP raised the issue of whether or not he is a racist. Even though that issue is on the table for debate, the discussion needs to remain civil. I’m asking that all participants make a concerted effort to stay well within the boundaries of civility. And if you don’t feel like you can do that, please take your comments to a more appropriate forum. > > Thanks to everyone. Thanks for your fairness and re-examination. ---
**Author:** ![russian\_heel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f05b48/32.png) [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2016, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brothers-sisters-and-their-cell-phones-this-is-a-totally-racist-errr-cultural-observation/765260/38 "2016-09-23T06:23:35Z")
> [@Nawth\_Chucka](#): > > I had blocked that scene from my mind. THANKS JERK :mad: > > To the OP - you’re a racist. Your observations reflect a racial bias and that bias almost certainly colors (heheh) your opinions and potentially your actions. Why did you think it was ok for you to keep eavesdropping on people whose business was not your business? Why did you not respect their privacy? > Sharing these observations was an attempt to get us to agree w/ you b/c you already feel your bias and it bugs you (I know not why). > Have a great day! > > **Smapti** , you made me snort. 😛 Yeah, I did say that in the OP and accept Nawth’s opinion. At least I put it out there and I think its fair to say many of us have racist thoughts and opinions without realizing it. That said, as one poster did point out, black people DO use up more time on cell phones than whites (not quite sure how you get those stats, though). So calling me racist for this observation may be the same as calling me racist for saying the majority of NBA players are black. > [@](#): > > Why did you think it was ok for you to keep eavesdropping on people whose business was not your business? Why did you not respect their privacy? OK, what often happens is I’m sitting at a bar or a restaurant, and all of the sudden, another patron sits like 2 seats down from me, pulls out the phone, and has a loud conversation. For the ENTIRE time they are there. Not sure how I’m “eavesdropping” or not respecting their privacy. Seems to me, they are disrespecting my desire to not have to hear their loud phone conversation while eating my steak. I’m not the only one who dislikes loud cellphone talkers in restaurants. If I must be on a call, I always get up and take it to the lobby or outside. I think anyone that sits talking on their phone in a restaurant for more than a minute is a douche, no matter their background. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2016, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brothers-sisters-and-their-cell-phones-this-is-a-totally-racist-errr-cultural-observation/765260/39 "2016-09-23T12:57:43Z")
Just for pedantry’s sake, “racist” is defined by the idea of _superiority_ (or inferiority) based solely on race. There was no specific value judgement in the OP that I saw, so by that definition, I have to say the OP is _not_ racist. “Prejudice,” as defined by how sociologists understand the term, i.e. “a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience,” is probably not accurate either, as the OP’s hypothesis _was_ based on personal observation which actually turned out to be correct, however the OP didn’t know that at the time. I believe the most appropriate word here would be “stereotype,” but I could be wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Steken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Steken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steken)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2016, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brothers-sisters-and-their-cell-phones-this-is-a-totally-racist-errr-cultural-observation/765260/40 "2016-09-23T13:26:33Z")
I always had the impression that Pakistanis - and especially Pakistani women and teenage girls - are damn near constantly on their phones, at least over here in Europe. But I’m assuming this is just confirmation bias on my part. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brothers-sisters-and-their-cell-phones-this-is-a-totally-racist-errr-cultural-observation/765260.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brothers-sisters-and-their-cell-phones-this-is-a-totally-racist-errr-cultural-observation/765260.md?page=3)