# Do you get phantom cell phone vibrations? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 8, 2007, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-get-phantom-cell-phone-vibrations/391320 "2007-02-08T04:59:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Waverly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@Waverly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waverly)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-get-phantom-cell-phone-vibrations/391320/21 "2007-02-08T20:19:56Z")
[QUOTE=Alistair McCello] Problem with that theory is that in my experience… [/QUOTE] Clearly you are insane, though it might be safer not to antogonize you by saying so. So forget I did. My phantom vibrations only occur when the phone is near. ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-get-phantom-cell-phone-vibrations/391320/22 "2007-02-08T20:21:07Z")
Just adding in that I, too, have phantom cell phone vibrations. I’m also glad to see that it’s not just me. Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-get-phantom-cell-phone-vibrations/391320/23 "2007-02-08T20:56:55Z")
Oh Jeez, Hell yea! It happens to me all the time. I get them on my left thigh where I carry my phone. I thought it was maybe just an involuntary motor reaction tied into a pavlovian conditioning phenomenon. It even occurred to me that maybe my meds were causing it. I’m glad I’m not the only one. It even occurred to me that it is some kind of EM thing, as I only get it when I am carrying the phone. ---
**Author:** ![Hogwash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e57/32.png) [@Hogwash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hogwash)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-get-phantom-cell-phone-vibrations/391320/24 "2007-02-08T21:00:56Z")
Yep, I get [Ringxiety](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ringxiety), but invariably of the vibration variety. I rarely think my phone is actually ringing, although my ring tone _is_ Sonic the Hedgehog Green Hill Zone 1, so it’s unlikely to be replicated in the natural environment. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2007, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-get-phantom-cell-phone-vibrations/391320/25 "2007-02-09T00:10:27Z")
Just to be clear, it is a _physical sensation_, not purely psychological. There is a palpable spasm. ---
**Author:** ![SSG\_Schwartz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SSG\_Schwartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSG_Schwartz)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2007, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-get-phantom-cell-phone-vibrations/391320/26 "2007-02-09T00:18:33Z")
Happens to me all the time. In fact, I have realized that I have left my phone at home before by trying to answer the damn vibrations. I pat my pocket and there is nothing there. FWIW, the vibrations only happen on my right thigh, even though I usually carry the phone in either pocket. Creeps me out every time. I try to play it off by checking the time on the screen. I too, thought it was only me. I agree, the Master must check into this one. Sgt Schwartz ---
**Author:** ![The\_Librarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_librarian/32/402_2.png) [@The\_Librarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Librarian)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2007, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-get-phantom-cell-phone-vibrations/391320/27 "2007-02-09T00:40:37Z")
[QUOTE=TimeWinder] Yep, I get it too (I just keep the phone loose in a pocket). I’ve noticed when it happens, though, that I can usually continue to feel the vibration after I’ve checked the phone. I’ve convinced myself that these vibrations are real – trucks passing by, people walking on nearby floors, micro earthquakes (I live in a place that supposedly gets 3000+ earthquakes a year, although I haven’t actually felt one in more than a decade), and other “natural” sources of vibration – especally since the impresion happens almost exclusively when I’m sitting (and therefore relatively quiet). I think that the **vibrating phone has just trained me** to be more aware of these things, because the “loose” phone vibration in my pocket is relatively subtle, anyway. [/QUOTE] it happens to me A LOT, especially while operating heavy machinery, so i am banking on the pavlovian thing (any kind of vibration–\> it must be the phone) ---
**Author:** ![Gut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@Gut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gut)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2007, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-get-phantom-cell-phone-vibrations/391320/28 "2007-02-09T01:01:56Z")
Thanks for the confirmation that I’m not completely insane everyone. I’m going to read the article linked from the wikipedia entry posted by **Hogwash** for further insight. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2007, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-get-phantom-cell-phone-vibrations/391320/29 "2007-02-09T01:36:53Z")
[QUOTE=Sgt Schwartz] Happens to me all the time. In fact, I have realized that I have left my phone at home before by trying to answer the damn vibrations. I pat my pocket and there is nothing there. FWIW, the vibrations only happen on my right thigh, even though I usually carry the phone in either pocket. Creeps me out every time. I try to play it off by checking the time on the screen. I too, thought it was only me. I agree, the Master must check into this one. Sgt Schwartz [/QUOTE] Conversely, I will sometimes not answer my phone when unheard, because I believe the true vibration is phantom. This is always with physical phone in left tote. Maybe the physical sensation of the phone in close contact and EM signal search triggers a body memory? ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2007, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-get-phantom-cell-phone-vibrations/391320/30 "2007-02-09T09:43:46Z")
[QUOTE=Asimovian] OH THANK GOD IT’S NOT JUST ME! :eek: _catches breath_ [/QUOTE] Heh, me too 😃 I once had my phone go off in my pocket just as I was touching a plug, I thought I was being gently electrocuted 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Hugh\_Mongoose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8dc957/32.png) [@Hugh\_Mongoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hugh_Mongoose)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2007, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-get-phantom-cell-phone-vibrations/391320/31 "2007-02-09T10:24:07Z")
Ah! I thought I was all alone in this, and feared to make mention for thought everyone would think me more insane than they already do. Usually happens to me when driving. Most often after I’ve finished with a call; I set my phone down on the seat, next to my right leg. I always keep my phone in my left front pocket, and the rest of the drive I keep feeling phantom vibrations from the empty pocket. Drives me nuts. Oh Great One, please bless us puny mortals with your infinite wisdom on such subjects! ---
**Author:** ![Alistair\_McCello](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/58956e/32.png) [@Alistair\_McCello](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alistair_McCello)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2007, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-get-phantom-cell-phone-vibrations/391320/32 "2007-02-09T15:56:48Z")
> [@Waverly](#): > > Clearly you are insane I already did! … Shoot, my pants are vibrating again, I have to take this… ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2007, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-get-phantom-cell-phone-vibrations/391320/33 "2007-02-09T17:15:17Z")
Damn, I’m freaking normal. Happens to me, too!!! ---
**Author:** ![Schmedlioch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Schmedlioch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schmedlioch)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-get-phantom-cell-phone-vibrations/391320/34 "2010-09-15T13:51:58Z")
I get the vibrations alot of late. Scarey. ---
**Author:** ![NicePete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee7513/32.png) [@NicePete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NicePete)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-get-phantom-cell-phone-vibrations/391320/35 "2010-09-15T14:00:19Z")
Me too. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-get-phantom-cell-phone-vibrations/391320/36 "2010-09-15T14:08:09Z")
Yeah, I know it’s an old thread, but I also get these from time to time. I’m a bit surprised that this is such a common phenomenon. For me, it only happens when I wear pants that could conceivably have a cell phone in it (for example, not when I’m lying around in my boxers or in exercise/sweat pants.) It only seems to happen on my left thigh (where I usually keep my phone, although sometimes it’s in my right pocket) and the sensation is just a quick, light buzz. It’s quick and light enough that I’m often not exactly sure if I felt something or just thought it. But that’s the same sensation I get when somebody sends me a text message or the phone receives an incoming email: just a quick notification buzz. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-get-phantom-cell-phone-vibrations/391320/37 "2010-09-15T15:41:19Z")
Me too, and I’m glad to see it’s a common phenomenon. ([manamanah](http://www.google.com/url?url=http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3Dh5Mc55P1i9g&rct=j&sa=X&ei=BemQTIbjJIG88gbI1LSaDQ&ved=0CBgQuAIwAQ&q=phenomenon+kermit&usg=AFQjCNHi30nc5pzkbhd6PlCFTG3N_W1ebA&cad=rja)!) ---
**Author:** ![Pai325](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Pai325](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pai325)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-get-phantom-cell-phone-vibrations/391320/38 "2010-09-15T16:05:31Z")
All the time. Now it’s gotten to the point where sometimes I feel it and my phone isn’t in my pocket! ---
**Author:** ![sevenwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@sevenwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sevenwood)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-get-phantom-cell-phone-vibrations/391320/39 "2010-09-15T16:08:08Z")
Is that a phone in your pocket or are you glad to see me? ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2010, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-get-phantom-cell-phone-vibrations/391320/40 "2010-09-15T16:37:48Z")
Sheesh, I am the QUEEN of this. I not only have a cell phone, but, because I’m diabetic, also carry around a continuous glucose monitor which vibrates, and an insulin pump, which beeps. I pretty much spend my life feeling phantom vibrations and hearing phantom beeps. Not to mention real beeps. I hear something beeping, I assume it’s me. Very embarrassing when I’m pulling out all my electronic gizmos to see which one is yelling at me and it turns out to be someone unlocking their car door remotely. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-get-phantom-cell-phone-vibrations/391320.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-get-phantom-cell-phone-vibrations/391320.md?page=3)