# But the "no cell phone" rules don't apply to me. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 30, 2017, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-the-no-cell-phone-rules-dont-apply-to-me/778588 "2017-01-30T14:42:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2017, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-the-no-cell-phone-rules-dont-apply-to-me/778588/21 "2017-01-30T18:58:13Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > **Public** library. Hm… I have to admit that this is not an area I am very familiar with… Does public library simply refer to the source of funding, or does it mean we all as homeowners own our little slice of the library? And if so, does that give us any rights to act different when the custodians of the property set rules versus our behavior at the mall? I said “private property” only because I have memories of assuming places were public only to find out that legally they really were private property. Example: cops around here treat traffic offenses in the mall parking lot different from on the street because it’s private property. Would the police treat the library parking lot different from the mall parking lot? (for the record, the OP never said it was a _public_ library though that’s a reasonable assumption) ---
**Author:** ![Crazy\_Canuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazy_canuck/32/5282_2.png) [@Crazy\_Canuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazy_Canuck)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2017, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-the-no-cell-phone-rules-dont-apply-to-me/778588/22 "2017-01-30T19:29:27Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > My reserve comment for inappropriate use is “Is that phone water-resistant? Good, then it will keep working when I shove it up your ass. You’re welcome to go in after it.” Oooh … behold the internet tough guy in his native habitat. > [@DoggyDunnit](#): > > Either put in the effort to walk to an area where it’s allowed, switch to vaping, wait, or quit. As it stands at the moment, you’re being a selfish, grade-AAA jerk. If there is a convenient place where smoking is allowed, I will. If the bylaws are of the type where there is no “legal” place to smoke except the middle of the road, I’ll ignore those bylaws. I’ve taken a page from the NRA playbook, and I don’t compromise or attempt to appease non-smokers anymore. For what it’s worth, if it was a private library, I would respect a no-cell rule more and simply vote with my wallet by walking out. For a public library, I still see no reason to respect that rule at all. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2017, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-the-no-cell-phone-rules-dont-apply-to-me/778588/23 "2017-01-30T20:07:11Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > Hm… I have to admit that this is not an area I am very familiar with… > > Does public library simply refer to the source of funding, or does it mean we all as homeowners own our little slice of the library? And if so, does that give us any rights to act different when the custodians of the property set rules versus our behavior at the mall? > > I said “private property” only because I have memories of assuming places were public only to find out that legally they really were private property. Example: cops around here treat traffic offenses in the mall parking lot different from on the street because it’s private property. Would the police treat the library parking lot different from the mall parking lot? Seriously? A mall parking lot is private property. A public library is public property. Not all behaviors allowed on private property are allowed on all public property (my elementary school, public property, doesn’t allow adults to come in unless they’ve checked in at the front office and have a valid reason for being on property; the local mall, private property, doesn’t allow people to run around and kick a soccer ball). Are you for real not clear on the differences between public and private property? ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2017, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-the-no-cell-phone-rules-dont-apply-to-me/778588/24 "2017-01-30T20:23:36Z")
> [@minor7flat5](#): > > I had assumed that the OP meant “No speaking on a cell phone in the library” but in fewer words. The smoking analogy seems to parallel this, since it is not the act of carrying a pack of smokes that is the problem, but lighting up and puffing. > > If that’s the case, then I’m totally with the OP. If the phone silently buzzes, the max allowed would be to take it out and say “Hold on…” as you hustle toward the exit and carry on outside. > > Last week my wife went for an appointment at a federal agency–as she entered, the receptionist made her pull out her cell phone and turn it off in her presence. That’s a pretty hard-core “no cell phone” policy. At the federal courthouses in New York City, you’re actually required to turn over your cell phone before you enter. You can pick it up on the way out. I think this is more because they don’t want cameras in the courtroom than because they don’t want anyone talking on a phone, though. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2017, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-the-no-cell-phone-rules-dont-apply-to-me/778588/25 "2017-01-30T20:30:34Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Are you for real not clear on the differences between public and private property? I think a lot of people don’t grasp the difference between “public _place_” and “public _property_”, and so don’t grasp that a “public place” can be “private property”. This is a distinction we had to repeatedly explain to loitering teenagers when I worked in a convenience store. “No, this is _private_ property. The sidewalk on the other side of the parking lot is _public_ property”. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2017, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-the-no-cell-phone-rules-dont-apply-to-me/778588/26 "2017-01-30T20:35:34Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > I could understand “No Talking on Cellphones in the Library” (though the quiet library is fast becoming a thing of the past) and/or “Please Put Your Cellphones on Totally Silent” (if only we could do so on NYC Transit), but otherwise that is a stupid fucking rule right out of 2001. The library is a taxpayer-funded public space and that’s an anachronistic rule meant to be challenged and broken. Cellphones are for a lot more than just talking. Without further clarification from the OP, I assume the spirit of the rule pertains to people talking or otherwise making noise. If someone was in the stacks somewhere texting, no one would even know. Of course there are other things one can do with their phone, such as \*\*Athena \*\*already mentioned but the problem is all the inconsiderate assholes that ruin it for everyone else and because a large portion of society chooses not to conduct themselves it’s easier to just ban them outright than to pick and choose which functions can be used. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2017, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-the-no-cell-phone-rules-dont-apply-to-me/778588/27 "2017-01-30T20:36:58Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Seriously? … > Are you for real not clear on the differences between public and private property? No need for ridicule. It just isn’t that clear cut to me–I’m not a lawyer and there are some nuances that escape me. Besides, it’s a red herring. If the people who work there don’t want me to do something I will have to stop. If I assumed public vs. private gave me special powers, I could get in plenty of trouble at the police station, presumably a public facility. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2017, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-the-no-cell-phone-rules-dont-apply-to-me/778588/28 "2017-01-30T20:39:42Z")
> [@Crazy\_Canuck](#): > > \*\*Oooh … behold the internet tough guy in his native habitat. \*\* > > If there is a convenient place where smoking is allowed, I will. If the bylaws are of the type where there is no “legal” place to smoke except the middle of the road, I’ll ignore those bylaws. I’ve taken a page from the NRA playbook, and I don’t compromise or attempt to appease non-smokers anymore. > > For what it’s worth, if it was a private library, I would respect a no-cell rule more and simply vote with my wallet by walking out. For a public library, I still see no reason to respect that rule at all. :dubious::dubious: Pot, meet the kettle. . . . ---
**Author:** ![DoggyDunnit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5fc32e/32.png) [@DoggyDunnit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoggyDunnit)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2017, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-the-no-cell-phone-rules-dont-apply-to-me/778588/29 "2017-01-30T20:52:20Z")
> [@Crazy\_Canuck](#): > > If there is a convenient place where smoking is allowed, I will. If the bylaws are of the type where there is no “legal” place to smoke except the middle of the road, I’ll ignore those bylaws. I’ve taken a page from the NRA playbook, and I don’t compromise or attempt to appease non-smokers anymore. Yours is the same flimsy excuse used by smokers who get told by the security guards at the downtown transit center to put their cigarettes out while on the premises. They are of the mindset that because they would have to walk _soooooo farrrr_ (and possibly miss their bus or train) to legally light up, they’ll just light up then and there. Selfishness and entitlement. Sorry (not), but times have changed since the days that the news anchors on the teevee box would deliver the evening’s headlines with a lit cigar on the desk. Most of American, Canadian, European, and Oceanian society has, thankfully and rightfully, moved on from the leisurely consumption and spread of hazardous gases and solids, and have decided to use the force of law to forbid the assault of non-consenting noses and mouths with such. It’s a public health issue. Get with the program and govern yourself accordingly. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2017, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-the-no-cell-phone-rules-dont-apply-to-me/778588/30 "2017-01-30T21:10:21Z")
Right, it’s the “no talking on the cell phone.” When I was a child, listening to other people’s telephone conversations was considered the height of rudeness. Today, it’s unavoidable. This afternoon someone talking on her damn cell phone plowed into me, and I damn near fell. Her excuse? “Oh, I didn’t see you there.” I’m thin, but I am not fucking invisible. ---
**Author:** ![Crazy\_Canuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crazy_canuck/32/5282_2.png) [@Crazy\_Canuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazy_Canuck)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2017, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-the-no-cell-phone-rules-dont-apply-to-me/778588/31 "2017-01-30T21:48:06Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > :dubious::dubious: Pot, meet the kettle. . . . I missed the part where I threatened physical harm with someone who disagreed with me. Other than that … well, no, that just wrecks your comparison. > [@DoggyDunnit](#): > > It’s a public health issue. Get with the program and govern yourself accordingly. No. If I get a ticket or charged, I’ll fight it in court. I’m practicing civil disobedience, which means both breaking the law and being willing to face the consequences. Anyways, now that Annie has confirmed it’s talking on a cell phone, not mere possession that her library is banning, I’m finding it hard to get worked up over. Librarians going “shhhh” is about as played out as it gets. I think that banning the device instead of the problematic behavior is probably ineffective, but that’s just my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Squallous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/22d042/32.png) [@Squallous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squallous)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2017, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-the-no-cell-phone-rules-dont-apply-to-me/778588/32 "2017-01-30T22:49:04Z")
> [@DoggyDunnit](#): > > It’s a public health issue. Get with the program and govern yourself accordingly. “Do as you’re told, because you’re obviously incapable of deciding for yourself.” ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2017, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-the-no-cell-phone-rules-dont-apply-to-me/778588/33 "2017-01-30T22:51:00Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > We’re forced to sit through the new Verizon ad of the guy walking through his life, never taking his eyes off his phone, repeatedly. When I say “repeatedly,” I mean sometimes twice in a row.\* It boggles me even more than the ad for the SUV where the family was driving through God’s own breathtaking backyard… and the kids were watching BMX videos in the back seat. > > My reserve comment for inappropriate use is “Is that phone water-resistant? Good, then it will keep working when I shove it up your ass. You’re welcome to go in after it.” I have a feeling that I am not the only person who told one of the owners of the antique mall where I rent space that his 8-year-old son could not be constantly walking around playing games on his phone, because he was eventually going to knock over a display and potentially damage thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise, in addition to possibly seriously injuring himself. ---
**Author:** ![DoggyDunnit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5fc32e/32.png) [@DoggyDunnit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoggyDunnit)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2017, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-the-no-cell-phone-rules-dont-apply-to-me/778588/34 "2017-01-30T23:43:35Z")
> [@Crazy\_Canuck](#): > > No. If I get a ticket or charged, I’ll fight it in court. I’m practicing civil disobedience, which means both breaking the law and being willing to face the consequences. May your selfish butt lose and get a good education from the judge on how civilized society works, including why it’s not okay to assault others with hazardous output. > [@Squallous](#): > > “Do as you’re told, because you’re obviously incapable of deciding for yourself.” “Do as you’re told because no right exists to put the health of others at risk.” ---
**Author:** ![The\_Vorlon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@The\_Vorlon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Vorlon)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2017, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-the-no-cell-phone-rules-dont-apply-to-me/778588/35 "2017-01-31T01:35:22Z")
**Crazy Canuck** , you can go for your slow motion suicide all you want, after you climb into a air tight bag. I’ll even zip you up. Keep your Haz-Mat to your self. I’m watching my two year younger cousin die semi-slowly of two stage 4 cancers. You will get no sympathy from me when that atom of Potassium 40 splits and cleaves some of your DNA in a Darwinian way. ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2017, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-the-no-cell-phone-rules-dont-apply-to-me/778588/36 "2017-01-31T02:12:57Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > This is why they make cell phone jammers. I always thought it would be cool to carry around a little portable one with a jamming range of say, at least 50% farther than the maximum distance at which it was possible hear some gangrenous old hag screeching into a cell phone about her hemorrhoid problems. To fuck with people who need their phones as medical devices? ---
**Author:** ![Quint](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/76d3ee/32.png) [@Quint](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quint)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2017, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-the-no-cell-phone-rules-dont-apply-to-me/778588/37 "2017-01-31T04:28:33Z")
I think it is time to start installing phone booths all over the lpace. A quiet space one can go to to make a phone call. An old idea whose time has come again. ---
**Author:** ![bobkitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c67d28/32.png) [@bobkitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobkitty)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2017, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-the-no-cell-phone-rules-dont-apply-to-me/778588/38 "2017-01-31T11:41:29Z")
> [@Crazy\_Canuck](#): > > I missed the part where I threatened physical harm with someone who disagreed with me. Other than that … well, no, that just wrecks your comparison. You’re not threatening physical harm; you’re causing actual physical harm. Unless you know the health history of everyone in your immediate vicinity, including who they’re going home to with your cigarette smell clinging to their clothes and hair, you have no way of knowing whether or not you’re in the clear to practice your civil disobedience stupidity and only negatively impact yourself. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2017, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-the-no-cell-phone-rules-dont-apply-to-me/778588/39 "2017-01-31T12:49:50Z")
> [@Crazy\_Canuck](#): > > I missed the part where I threatened physical harm with someone who disagreed with me. Other than that … well, no, that just wrecks your comparison. You responded to **Amateur Barbarian’s** remark (obvious hyperbole) by calling him an internet tough guy yet your whole stance is that the rules don’t apply to you. You “won’t compromise or attempt to appease the non-smokers” and you’ll smoke wherever you want. Er, no you won’t. Don’t get me wrong, I feel your pain. I smoked for many years and even though I mostly only vape now, it’s annoying as hell sometimes to deal with all the smoking restrictions. But that’s the world we live in and it’s not swinging back to smokers being the majority. You won’t win the battle; you’ll just look like a jerk for trying. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2017, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-the-no-cell-phone-rules-dont-apply-to-me/778588/40 "2017-01-31T13:25:57Z")
Good god, people screaming into cell phones. I was on the long distance bus coming back from Taipei last night. Everyone was sleeping and some asshole gets a call that is soooo important she’s got to take it and then keep screaming into it because you can’t hear the phone so well and you naturally adjust your voice to that level. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-the-no-cell-phone-rules-dont-apply-to-me/778588.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-the-no-cell-phone-rules-dont-apply-to-me/778588.md?page=3)