# Kids these days - new way to talk on the cell phone? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 13, 2018, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-these-days-new-way-to-talk-on-the-cell-phone/812366 "2018-04-13T20:59:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-these-days-new-way-to-talk-on-the-cell-phone/812366/21 "2018-04-14T04:36:33Z")
> [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](#): > > Uh, well, context matters, and if I’m in a public place and talking to my friend who thinks she’s about to be fired, or to my cousin about his medical diagnosis, I’m not going to be using speakerphone. For that matter, I’d try not to have those conversations in a public place at all. But if I’m on my own, yes, I’ll use the speaker feature, thanks. > > And as for annoying, you’d have to convince me that hearing a whole conversation is more annoying than hearing just my half of it. My wife often talks on the phone in my presence, sometimes on speaker, sometimes not, and I don’t find either especially annoying—or any more annoying than if she’s having a real life conversation where I can hear. Your mileage obviously varies. > > And while I, uh, hear you loud and clear that you dislike the sound of speaker phones, surely that is in the eye of the beholder, I mean the ear of the listener? When you use speakerphone, you have to talk louder for the other person to hear you. If you use the phone properly, you can speak more quietly, so that others around you don’t hear **your** voice as much. If the person you’re talking to is using speakerphone, the sound echos, picks up more background noise, and is muddy. On a cel phone it’s even worse because it goes into a kind of half-duplex mode where it seems like the speaker and mike won’t work at the same time. Makes it difficult to have a normal flow of conversation. If someone calls me using speakerphone, I’m going to ask them to turn it off so we can hear each other clearly. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-these-days-new-way-to-talk-on-the-cell-phone/812366/22 "2018-04-14T05:02:35Z")
Many kids use the headphones to talk on the phone nowadays. But when they can’t use their headphones, they opt for speaker. If you are using the speaker, it is clearer if you speak right into the mic that way. They don’t want to just press their faces to the phones, because the phone is usually busy with some app open, or some browser or whatever…My cheek touching the screen can fuck everything up. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-these-days-new-way-to-talk-on-the-cell-phone/812366/23 "2018-04-14T11:08:46Z")
Isn’t it the case that if you’re using earbuds without an in-line mic, the phone mic still works? So, if you’re wearing earbuds, you can talk to the base of the phone, and you don’t need to have the speaker on. I think that’s the configuration I’ve seen most. I often see people talking to the base of the phone, but they have earbuds on and I don’t hear the other side. Earbuds would sound better than the phone speaker (speakerphone mode or not), and you can talk directly into the mic at the bass, so you probably sound better, too. And, you’re probably already wearing your earbuds. It’s pretty noisy where I commute, so I doubt speaker-phone mode would work anyway – they other side wouldn’t be able to get a word in. I’d try it out but everyone I know is sleeping. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-these-days-new-way-to-talk-on-the-cell-phone/812366/24 "2018-04-14T11:19:40Z")
One reason is that modern cellphones aren’t shaped for holding to an ear. They don’t even seem to be physically designed to be used as a phone. My Pixel XL2 is so wide it’s hard to wrap my hand around it and holding it to an ear feels like something that wasn’t intended. If you put the speaker next to your ear, your mouth is nowhere near the microphone. As an audio engineer, this looks like poor design. Contrast this to a standard 1970’s landline phone handset, which _was_ designed to be a speaker & microphone. ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-these-days-new-way-to-talk-on-the-cell-phone/812366/25 "2018-04-14T11:35:42Z")
> [@Doug\_K](#): > > When you use speakerphone, you have to talk louder for the other person to hear you. If you use the phone properly, you can speak more quietly, so that others around you don’t hear **your** voice as much. If the person you’re talking to is using speakerphone, the sound echos, picks up more background noise, and is muddy. On a cel phone it’s even worse because it goes into a kind of half-duplex mode where it seems like the speaker and mike won’t work at the same time. Makes it difficult to have a normal flow of conversation. > > If someone calls me using speakerphone, I’m going to ask them to turn it off so we can hear each other clearly. Funny; none of this is my experience at all. I’m sorry you find using the speaker so difficult. I think it’s a major improvement! ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-these-days-new-way-to-talk-on-the-cell-phone/812366/26 "2018-04-14T11:41:27Z")
TIL. I thought they were FaceTiming (which I’ve never done). ---
**Author:** ![KMS94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ad7895/32.png) [@KMS94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KMS94)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-these-days-new-way-to-talk-on-the-cell-phone/812366/27 "2018-04-14T12:26:01Z")
I hold the cell phone as described in the OP when I am using the voice to text feature, so I can see what interesting, incorrect translations Google is interpreting from my Maine accent. But I never actually have a conversation in that position. ---
**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:** [April 14, 2018, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-these-days-new-way-to-talk-on-the-cell-phone/812366/28 "2018-04-14T14:43:45Z")
The store I work in is in a basement, and we have terrible cell phone receptions. I see this more and more and I absolutely hate it. What makes you think I want to hear your stupid phone conversations? I only use my phone outside now; never in a public building. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-these-days-new-way-to-talk-on-the-cell-phone/812366/29 "2018-04-14T14:45:13Z")
I prefer not to hold my phone to my ear. It’s not a comfortable position to hold through a conversation. Also, the shapes of modern smartphones aren’t designed to be comfortably held to the ear like the old landline phones were. Other reasons: 1. having the sound of the other person in front of you is more natural—that’s usually how you listen to things around you. It’s more comfortable than having sound blasted right into your ear. 2. It prevents your cheek accidentally bumping the screen and doing something like ending the call. 3. It allows you to continue using other functions of your smartphone ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Mapp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miss_mapp/32/369_2.png) [@Miss\_Mapp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Mapp)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-these-days-new-way-to-talk-on-the-cell-phone/812366/30 "2018-04-14T15:37:44Z")
I’m 54 and I’ve always talked on cell phones that way–first when I had the Star-Trek-like flip phone, and now with the flat one. With the speaker on, I can just put it down and listen, or speak, while I’m doing other things like drinking tea or sorting laundry. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-these-days-new-way-to-talk-on-the-cell-phone/812366/31 "2018-04-14T15:42:01Z")
Don’t you people have proximity sensors on your phones? Every smartphone I’ve ever owned will blank the screen when you hold it to your ear, just so you don’t accidentally bump a button. Anyway, I’m mostly seen this on TV shows, where they want to let the audience hear both sides of the conversation without constantly cutting between both participants. My guess is that real people have picked up the habit from seeing television characters do it. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-these-days-new-way-to-talk-on-the-cell-phone/812366/32 "2018-04-14T15:43:14Z")
Is this related to listening to music by hanging your earbuds over your ears, with the buds themselves dangling a few inches below, so you have to crank your volume to the max so you (and everyone else in the room) can hear it? ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-these-days-new-way-to-talk-on-the-cell-phone/812366/33 "2018-04-14T15:53:31Z")
When I see people doing this, it’s usually people who are older than kids. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-these-days-new-way-to-talk-on-the-cell-phone/812366/34 "2018-04-14T17:33:05Z")
Based on all of the replies, it seems this is useful option for a variety of reasons. It is somewhat surprising that the cell phone manufacturers have not caught on to this and continue to design products that are essentially designed for traditional handset-to-the-ear use. Perhaps someone will come up with an alternative design that is more aligned with this usage? ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-these-days-new-way-to-talk-on-the-cell-phone/812366/35 "2018-04-14T17:51:49Z")
> [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](#): > > This is so they can read incoming texts while they’re talking. This is why I hate the world. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-these-days-new-way-to-talk-on-the-cell-phone/812366/36 "2018-04-14T17:53:35Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > Based on all of the replies, it seems this is useful option for a variety of reasons. It is somewhat surprising that the cell phone manufacturers have not caught on to this and continue to design products that are essentially designed for traditional handset-to-the-ear use. Perhaps someone will come up with an alternative design that is more aligned with this usage? Early Google-branded phones had a slightly curved screen, so that may have helped somewhat. Or, pick up one of these when they come back in stock: [https://www.amazon.com/Softalk-Bluetooth-Rechargeable-Blackberry-Connectivity/dp/B01849DGYA](https://www.amazon.com/Softalk-Bluetooth-Rechargeable-Blackberry-Connectivity/dp/B01849DGYA) **Tim** , I’m also confused by people worrying about pressing an errant key or hanging up accidentally. My phone screen turns off when the phone gets close to my ear. Anyway, no love for the earbuds reason? ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-these-days-new-way-to-talk-on-the-cell-phone/812366/37 "2018-04-14T19:56:21Z")
> [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](#): > > Funny; none of this is my experience at all. I’m sorry you find using the speaker so difficult. I think it’s a major improvement! It’s not a “my experience” issue. It’s an objective fact. It was well known even on landlines (or as we called them, just phones) before cell phones became common. [Cite:](https://www.ozy.com/immodest-proposal/please-for-the-love-of-god-take-me-off-speakerphone/74961) > [@](#): > > Our plea comes on behalf a truly silent majority. We are the ones on the other end of the line — the ones who can barely hear you at the end of that long, echoey tunnel, or who don’t like the sound of your barking. We wonder whether you’re paying attention to what we are saying, and who else might be listening in. We are the 57 percent who, according to a 2016 poll by Expedia/ Egencia, find making or taking public calls on speakerphone infuriating. And while we’ve given up any claim to your undivided attention, we still want some of your consideration. Communications technology changes so fast that you might sometimes forget that “the medium is part of the message,” as Daniel Post Senning, of the Emily Post Institute, puts it. But when you put us on speakerphone, we want nothing more than to hang up. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-these-days-new-way-to-talk-on-the-cell-phone/812366/38 "2018-04-14T20:23:27Z")
I do it that way very often. It’s much easier to hear things on speaker than by putting it to my ear. ---
**Author:** ![Delicious](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@Delicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delicious)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-these-days-new-way-to-talk-on-the-cell-phone/812366/39 "2018-04-14T21:08:50Z")
Has anyone else seen where people hold the microphone end to their early and have it jutting out at 90 degrees so the hearing end is a phone’s length from their head? Seriously I see this fairly often and it baffles me. ---
**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:** [April 14, 2018, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-these-days-new-way-to-talk-on-the-cell-phone/812366/40 "2018-04-14T21:23:35Z")
It’s a way to be even more obnoxious than usual yammering loudly in public on your phone, plus lessening the hazard from nonexistent Cancer Rays. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-these-days-new-way-to-talk-on-the-cell-phone/812366.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kids-these-days-new-way-to-talk-on-the-cell-phone/812366.md?page=3)