# Cell phones are a plague upon peaceful fall evenings **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 30, 2010, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phones-are-a-plague-upon-peaceful-fall-evenings/555672 "2010-09-30T23:25:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phones-are-a-plague-upon-peaceful-fall-evenings/555672/21 "2010-10-01T18:45:42Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > So why haven’t you prepared yourself by gathering pebbles and preparing a slingshot. Ahhh, advisor to Bishop Eddie Long I see. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phones-are-a-plague-upon-peaceful-fall-evenings/555672/22 "2010-10-01T19:06:21Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > > [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > > > The only proper response is to start loudly participating in the conversation. > > It saddens me that you would say that when the option to throw rocks is clearly available. I recommend eggs. Perfect for when you’d prefer the cops give you a stern lecture rather than haul your ass off to the station house, but still want to inflict a serious mess on the other guy. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phones-are-a-plague-upon-peaceful-fall-evenings/555672/23 "2010-10-01T19:08:18Z")
> [@descamisado](#): > > > [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > > > So why haven’t you prepared yourself by gathering pebbles and preparing a slingshot. > > Ahhh, advisor to Bishop Eddie Long I see. I’m going to take that as an challenge to a duel. We’ll do it tomorrow. Arm yourself as you wish. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phones-are-a-plague-upon-peaceful-fall-evenings/555672/24 "2010-10-01T21:20:17Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > Who says our networks can’t handle iPhones? They just started out being \*locked onto \*a single network by firmware. Had nothing to do with the capabilities of the networks themselves. And paying for incoming calls also has nothing to do with the capability of the network. [http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/28/attfail/](http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/28/attfail/) > [@](#): > > If you have an iPhone and live in New York City, San Francisco or Los Angeles, you probably know that AT&T’s network isn’t exactly reliable. As an AT&T and iPhone patron, I find that my ability to make calls and get online fades in and out on an almost hourly basis, even in my home. > > Could the phone booth make a comeback as an iPhone booth?But iPhone users are essentially stuck with two options: switch to another network, waving goodbye to the iPhone and App Store, or keep the phone and deal with the shaky service. So far, I have chosen to stick with the iPhone — but this has forced me to make a stern warning before every phone call. I now begin my phone conversations with “Hi, I’m on AT&T, so this call might be dropped. If it is, I’ll call you right back.” ---
**Author:** ![Catfood\_Purrito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Catfood\_Purrito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catfood_Purrito)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phones-are-a-plague-upon-peaceful-fall-evenings/555672/25 "2010-10-01T22:45:59Z")
I don’t think that really has anything to do with the network being unable to handle the iPhone, specifically. I used to have AT&T, and I had problems with their unreliable network too, but I’ve never had an iPhone. I think AT&T is just generally shitty in some areas. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phones-are-a-plague-upon-peaceful-fall-evenings/555672/26 "2010-10-01T22:55:46Z")
Is this a common occurence? Did you have one evening ruined or multiple? ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phones-are-a-plague-upon-peaceful-fall-evenings/555672/27 "2010-10-01T23:16:26Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > It’s nice to see someone expanding their horizons, and pissing off the further neighbors as well. 2002 called, and the phone rang with a tinny Nokia jingle. It wants its rant back. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phones-are-a-plague-upon-peaceful-fall-evenings/555672/28 "2010-10-01T23:42:53Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > I’m just amazed at the crappy cell service you Americans seem to have. I mean, I speak on the phone with my regular indoor conversation voice, at the loudest, yet people have no problem understanding me. For longer conversations I invariably put my earphones in, hold the speaker to my mouth, and speak at a murmur. Of course, you’re the perfect gentleman when it comes to cellphone use, like every every other cellphone user in your country and, for that matter, every cellphone user who posts on this board. In fact there are no offensive and clueless cellphone junkies whatsoever, just a cadre of extraterrestrials who impersonate them in order to create chaos and prime the way for a takeover of our galaxy. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phones-are-a-plague-upon-peaceful-fall-evenings/555672/29 "2010-10-01T23:50:52Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > I’m just amazed at the crappy cell service you Americans seem to have. I mean, I speak on the phone with my regular indoor conversation voice, at the loudest, yet people have no problem understanding me. For longer conversations I invariably put my earphones in, hold the speaker to my mouth, and speak at a murmur. It’s really not an American thing. Some people just feel they need to be loud on the phone because CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW ? YES, I’M IN THE CAN. I SAID I’M **IN THE CAN**! even though the reception is 5 on 5. It’s one of those annoying human trait things. That would be entirely solved by a global thermonuclear war, but will they listen to me ?! ---
**Author:** ![gladtobeblazed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85f322/32.png) [@gladtobeblazed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gladtobeblazed)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2010, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phones-are-a-plague-upon-peaceful-fall-evenings/555672/30 "2010-10-02T00:24:45Z")
I tend to talk loudly on my phone because I have trouble hearing _myself_. It’s almost like wearing headphones. If I can’t hear myself talking, then how am I supposed to know that I’m talking correctly? I could be mumbling or stuttering and I wouldn’t know it! ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2010, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phones-are-a-plague-upon-peaceful-fall-evenings/555672/31 "2010-10-02T00:29:32Z")
> [@elmwood](#): > > 2002 called, and the phone rang with a tinny Nokia jingle. It wants its rant back. As long as there are clueless and thoughtless cell phone users, there will be rants about them. Pretty much forever, I expect, or at least until we’re all implanted with mind-to-mind radios. ---
**Author:** ![LeeshaJoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@LeeshaJoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LeeshaJoy)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2010, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phones-are-a-plague-upon-peaceful-fall-evenings/555672/32 "2010-10-02T00:37:34Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > As long as there are clueless and thoughtless cell phone users, there will be rants about them. Pretty much forever, I expect, or at least until we’re all implanted with mind-to-mind radios. And then we’ll have rants about how our next-door neighbors are thinking too loud. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2010, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phones-are-a-plague-upon-peaceful-fall-evenings/555672/33 "2010-10-02T00:46:59Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > > [@descamisado](#): > > > > Ahhh, advisor to Bishop Eddie Long I see. > > I’m going to take that as an challenge to a duel. > > We’ll do it tomorrow. Arm yourself as you wish. Demolition derby with Bentleys at dawn in the Valley of Elah. Survivor gets a year’s supply of Jheri Curl Juice. ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2010, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phones-are-a-plague-upon-peaceful-fall-evenings/555672/34 "2010-10-02T05:32:08Z")
> [@descamisado](#): > > > [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > > > I’m going to take that as an challenge to a duel. > > > > We’ll do it tomorrow. Arm yourself as you wish. > > Demolition derby with Bentleys at dawn in the Valley of Elah. > > Survivor gets a year’s supply of Jheri Curl Juice. Best. Duel. Evar! ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2010, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phones-are-a-plague-upon-peaceful-fall-evenings/555672/35 "2010-10-02T08:12:24Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > > [@Alessan](#): > > > > I’m just amazed at the crappy cell service you Americans seem to have. I mean, I speak on the phone with my regular indoor conversation voice, at the loudest, yet people have no problem understanding me. For longer conversations I invariably put my earphones in, hold the speaker to my mouth, and speak at a murmur. > > Of course, you’re the perfect gentleman when it comes to cellphone use, like every every other cellphone user in your country and, for that matter, every cellphone user who posts on this board. > > In fact there are no offensive and clueless cellphone junkies whatsoever, just a cadre of extraterrestrials who impersonate them in order to create chaos and prime the way for a takeover of our galaxy. Oh, people shout on the phone here, too. But that’s just their normal speaking voice. ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2010, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phones-are-a-plague-upon-peaceful-fall-evenings/555672/36 "2010-10-02T09:14:11Z")
Sometimes, on a warm summer night, when everyone has their windows open, I can hear my neighbours fucking. No problem with cellphones though. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2010, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phones-are-a-plague-upon-peaceful-fall-evenings/555672/37 "2010-10-02T11:49:28Z")
> [@Manduck](#): > > Sometimes, on a warm summer night, when everyone has their windows open, I can hear my neighbours fucking. Might I suggest an anonymous gift of lube, or maybe an oil can. ---
**Author:** ![BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2010, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phones-are-a-plague-upon-peaceful-fall-evenings/555672/38 "2010-10-03T17:10:48Z")
What is it with this board and cell phones? We have several threads where people either don’t have them and/or don’t like them, or feel like they’re trapped by them because they don’t want to be at other people’s beck and call. And then there are threads where people bitch about the phones themselves, because people speak loudly. Yes, people are loud, obnoxious, and assholish. They will be these things whether or not they’re holding phones (or even if they’re holding phones that have cords). Cells are not the problem. Like so many other things, idiots and assholes are the problem. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2010, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phones-are-a-plague-upon-peaceful-fall-evenings/555672/39 "2010-10-03T18:10:57Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > The personal information that you offered during your hour long phone call from your balcony yesterday evening will no doubt come in handy to all your neighbors within 200 yards who were hoping to enjoy a beautiful fall evening with their windows open. Especially the information that you like your job, but you’re not so crazy about your new apartment, as your close neighbors have already asked you to hold down the noise. > > It’s nice to see someone expanding their horizons, and pissing off the further neighbors as well. Title: “Cell phones are a plague upon peaceful fall evenings” Would you have the same issue with a cordless phone? Hell, do you even know for certain it was a mobile phone and not a cordless landline? ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2010, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phones-are-a-plague-upon-peaceful-fall-evenings/555672/40 "2010-10-03T20:38:35Z")
> [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](#): > > Like so many other things, idiots and assholes are the problem. But cell phones are asshole magnifiers. Back in the old days, the fact that telephones were fastened to the wall reduced the ability for people to be assholes everywhere and all the time. Yes, there are lots of other ways to be an asshole that have always been available, but a cell phone makes being an asshole **so easy!** [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phones-are-a-plague-upon-peaceful-fall-evenings/555672.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phones-are-a-plague-upon-peaceful-fall-evenings/555672.md?page=3)