Do you get phantom cell phone vibrations?

[Waverly]

@Alistair McCello

Problem with that theory is that in my experience…

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.

[zev_steinhardt]

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

[devilsknew]

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.

[Hogwash]

Yep, I get 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.

[devilsknew]

Just to be clear, it is a physical sensation, not purely psychological. There is a palpable spasm.

[SSG_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

[The_Librarian]

@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.

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)

[Gut]

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.

[devilsknew]

@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

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?

[Pushkin]

@Asimovian

OH THANK GOD IT’S NOT JUST ME! :eek:

catches breath

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

[Hugh_Mongoose]

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!

[Alistair_McCello]

@Waverly

Clearly you are insane

I already did! … Shoot, my pants are vibrating again, I have to take this…

[Philster]

Damn, I’m freaking normal. Happens to me, too!!!

[Schmedlioch]

I get the vibrations alot of late. Scarey.

[NicePete]

Me too.

[pulykamell]

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.

[BrotherCadfael]

Me too, and I’m glad to see it’s a common phenomenon. (manamanah!)

[Pai325]

All the time. Now it’s gotten to the point where sometimes I feel it and my phone isn’t in my pocket!

[sevenwood]

Is that a phone in your pocket or are you glad to see me?

[Athena]

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.