# Lets list some stupid behaviors caused by cell phones. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 2, 2014, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-list-some-stupid-behaviors-caused-by-cell-phones/685134 "2014-04-02T02:20:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Gleena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b3f665/32.png) [@Gleena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gleena)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-list-some-stupid-behaviors-caused-by-cell-phones/685134/41 "2014-04-02T22:15:48Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > Why are people so mad that people take pictures of their food > > If you were talking to someone and they mentioned what they ate for dinner would that be as loathsome a behavior Because in SDMBland, mobile phones are eeeevil. Don’t question it. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-list-some-stupid-behaviors-caused-by-cell-phones/685134/42 "2014-04-02T22:28:17Z")
It’s the vast number of food pics people object too. There for awhile people were posting food pics on twitter daily. It gets monotonousness after awhile. Selfies are the current fad. Day after day they get posted. Dude, we know what you look like. 😉 I don’t object to cell phones/smart phones. They are very useful and enhance our lives. This thread is about some people’s odd obsessive behavior and bad manners using their cell phones. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-list-some-stupid-behaviors-caused-by-cell-phones/685134/43 "2014-04-02T22:35:15Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > What I don’t understand is why people want to cut themselves off from the world. Part of living is to observe and interact with the world around you. Sitting at a bus stop there might be a bird or squirrel scampering around. Just looking around and watching people pass by is refreshing to me. I probably won’t speak to anyone but there is occasional eye contact. I’m out in the world and its a nice change of scenery from my office at work or my home living room. > > Why leave the house if you want to bury yourself into an electronic world? I just don’t get it. Eh, this isn’t necessarily true. People on their phones are interacting and being social. They’re sharing their lives with people they know, talking to others, looking in on other peoples’ lives. I don’t think that looking at a squirrel is so much more beneficial to a person’s well-being than seeing a funny video of their best friend’s kid. They probably see squirrels doing the same thing day in and day out. I mean, sometimes people who are glued to phones do annoying stuff that annoys the people around them. But they’re not cutting themselves off from life just because they’re engaged with their phone. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-list-some-stupid-behaviors-caused-by-cell-phones/685134/44 "2014-04-02T22:36:37Z")
I struggle with cell phone etiquette too. Like taking a call after sitting down at a restaurant. It’s easy to forget and be annoying or rude without realizing it. I try to keep public calls short and to the point. Find out what they want and call them back later. Technology changes our world and it takes time for social norms to catch up. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-list-some-stupid-behaviors-caused-by-cell-phones/685134/45 "2014-04-02T22:48:13Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > Dang whippersnappers on their phones all day > > Back in my day if you wanted to talk to someone you wrote them a letter and waited a month for a response Back in your day, mail was delivered twice a day and you got a reply by return post. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-list-some-stupid-behaviors-caused-by-cell-phones/685134/46 "2014-04-02T23:27:50Z")
And those people who use them to detonate IEDs. That is just rude. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2014, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-list-some-stupid-behaviors-caused-by-cell-phones/685134/47 "2014-04-03T00:24:48Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > \ > That’s not as bad as all the zombie mommies & daddies at the playground with their kids. One time I saw a dude on the phone follow his kid up on to a [playground] bridge, and he stood there on the bridge while the kid continued on down the playset, and then the kid went over to the other side of the playground and started crying and the dad was stuck on the bridge because he needed two hands to get down. He wouldn’t put down the phone. Some un-related parent had to tend to the kid while he figured out how to hang up the phone.\ I see parents out with their kids, and the parent has a phone glued to their ear all the time. I don’t know how much of the face-to-face time with their kid is spent on the phone, of course, but chances are good that it’s pretty high. I wonder how long until we hear about a new set of psychological disorders that young people manifest from being raised by parents who neglected them while being in the same room with them. > [@ZipperJJ](#): > > \ But they’re not cutting themselves off from life just because they’re engaged with their phone. Well, they are and they aren’t. Sure, talking on the phone is a form of socializing, but being on the phone means that you are not mentally present in your here and now. > [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > And those people who use them to detonate IEDs. That is just rude. Totally. ---
**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 3, 2014, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-list-some-stupid-behaviors-caused-by-cell-phones/685134/48 "2014-04-03T00:37:14Z")
Three times this week I emailed three different clients important real estate documents attached to emails. Each reported they had not received them. In every case, I checked my sent documents and they were attached as I claimed. When confronted, each and every recipient said, “Oh, I didn’t scroll down!” or “There it is, at the end!” I have come to the conclusion that serious business should not be conducted by cellphone if the message requires more than 140 characters to convey the detail. Which eliminates 90% of my emails and 90% of my clients, who insist on using cellphones as if they were desktop computers. I have found that asking more than one question in an email is likely to get no response to the ones past the first when the recipient is a cellphone user. One question per email is the maximum. I have also come to the conclusion that cellphones don’t display messages longer than 140 characters, don’t have any scroll bars, and aren’t friendly with attachments. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2014, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-list-some-stupid-behaviors-caused-by-cell-phones/685134/49 "2014-04-03T01:05:02Z")
My favorite dumbass on the phone story is when I was leaving work one night, there was a young 20’s dude on a bike, riding on the sidewalk (illegal anyway). He had his phone in his right hand to right ear, and was approaching the curb to the street. Instead of taking his phone from his ear (switching hands) and braking with his right hand on the rear brakes, genius tries to brake with his left hand on the front brakes. Does a perfect cartwheel, ass over teakettle, then over sideways. The whole time with his phone to his ear, and only the tiniest hitch to the conversation. I didn’t ask him if he was okay or anything. I didn’t care, and he was still on the phone. I just stood there and laughed my ass off. I still giggle just thinking about it, and as I’m writing this. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2014, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-list-some-stupid-behaviors-caused-by-cell-phones/685134/50 "2014-04-03T01:33:25Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > Why are people so mad that people take pictures of their food Not mad, just confused. > [@nevadaexile](#): > > {_snip_} He\*\* literally \*\*( **not figuratively** , I’m afraid) searched every square foot {_snip_} (my bold) But “literally” literally means figuratively. ETA: Wait… ---
**Author:** ![nevadaexile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb8c5e/32.png) [@nevadaexile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nevadaexile)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2014, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-list-some-stupid-behaviors-caused-by-cell-phones/685134/51 "2014-04-03T01:42:54Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Quote: > Originally Posted by nevadaexile View Post > {snip} He literally (not figuratively, I’m afraid) searched every square foot {snip} > > (my bold) > > But “literally” literally means figuratively. > > ETA: Wait… Nope.In this case “figuratively” would be exaggerating an intense search. He literally searched the entire building interior for his precious cell phone. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2014, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-list-some-stupid-behaviors-caused-by-cell-phones/685134/52 "2014-04-03T01:46:19Z")
> [@nevadaexile](#): > > Nope.In this case “figuratively” would be exaggerating an intense search. He literally searched the entire building interior for his precious cell phone. [It was just a joke.](http://www.salon.com/2013/08/22/according_to_the_dictionary_literally_now_also_means_figuratively_newscred/)😛 ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2014, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-list-some-stupid-behaviors-caused-by-cell-phones/685134/53 "2014-04-03T01:59:02Z")
“Photographs” I was on another board (frequented by the 14-30 age group) and the discussion turned to their “photo collections”. One person estimated, based on the number of chips filled, that he had amassed 10,000 images. Um, “ever view, edit, or delete?” “No”. This confirmed my deepest fear - that I am NOT underestimating the intellect of the masses - they really do shoot everything just to shoot. Texting - every time I see a kid walking home from school, without exception, he or she will be head-down, keying something on their damned phone. I once heard a teen saying he usually had about a dozen “conversations” running, and each was on a different topic. We now have kids walking home in small groups, as always, but they no longer are talking to each other (let alone play games) - they are each in their own little worlds. I have never been close enough to see if they were also listening via earbuds to their separate soundtracks. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2014, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-list-some-stupid-behaviors-caused-by-cell-phones/685134/54 "2014-04-03T02:49:29Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > I don’t give a crap about how people use their cellphones, what bothers me about the goddamned things is this: > > 1. 20 years ago, I could have a conversation with a person across the country and they sounded as if they were in the same room. > 2. With a cellphone, I could have a conversation with a person in the next room, and they sound as if they are across the country. 1. 20 years ago, I could’nt have a conversation with a person across the country unless I was in my house. 2. With a cellphone, I can have a conversation with them almost anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2014, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-list-some-stupid-behaviors-caused-by-cell-phones/685134/55 "2014-04-03T04:35:00Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > I dread the day when people can make calls while on planes. You know the airlines will start charging more for “no phone call” seats. Which will be about as effective as a “No Pissing” section in a swimming pool. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2014, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-list-some-stupid-behaviors-caused-by-cell-phones/685134/56 "2014-04-03T04:39:16Z")
A few months ago, there was a story in the local press about someone who had to be fished out of a harbor in Australia and saved from drowning because she had been walking along staring at her phone screen and not paying attention to where she was going. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2014, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-list-some-stupid-behaviors-caused-by-cell-phones/685134/57 "2014-04-03T06:39:39Z")
Oh yeah, that happened in Chicago in January. Dude dropped his phone over the railing at the riverwalk along the Chicago River. He jumps over to get it! Not just that, but then his friend jumps over to help, apparently. They both drown. Tragic and unbelievably stupid. ---
**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 3, 2014, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-list-some-stupid-behaviors-caused-by-cell-phones/685134/58 "2014-04-03T08:55:42Z")
> [@White SIFL](#): > > 1. 20 years ago, I could’nt have a conversation with a person across the country unless I was in my house. > 2. With a cellphone, I can have a conversation with them almost anywhere. For certain values of “conversation,” sure. With echoes, delays, badly garbled audio and dropouts, it gives a new meaning to the word. Cellphone to cellphone “conversations” are often reduced to guesswork as to what is being said. It’s a far cry from 1970’s clear-as-a-bell Sprint Network, which used to advertise “you can hear a pin drop.” ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2014, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-list-some-stupid-behaviors-caused-by-cell-phones/685134/59 "2014-04-03T10:23:00Z")
> [@usedtobe](#): > > I once heard a teen saying he usually had about a dozen “conversations” running, and each was on a different topic. And that’s supposed to inspire a _negative_ reaction to said teen’s intellect? Most people are capable of multi-tasking, as this shows. That includes being able to converse with the person you’re with and send the occasional text/Facebook message/tweet/whatever. All of those things are, of course, also socialising with people, and I rather like being able to be in touch with friends that aren’t physically present. As for people having phone conversations whilst walking, or on the bus, or whatever, sometimes that’s the only time they have free for it. Between work and family obligations, that half hour is a perfect time to keep in touch with friends. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2014, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-list-some-stupid-behaviors-caused-by-cell-phones/685134/60 "2014-04-03T12:54:49Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > For certain values of “conversation,” sure. With echoes, delays, badly garbled audio and dropouts, it gives a new meaning to the word. > > Cellphone to cellphone “conversations” are often reduced to guesswork as to what is being said. It’s a far cry from 1970’s clear-as-a-bell Sprint Network, which used to advertise “you can hear a pin drop.” Emotional nuance is almost impossible on the things. Half the time I think my wife is angry at me. No, she’s just yelling into the phone because she is having a hard time hearing what I’m saying because the connection on her end sucks, and thinks that I’m having the same problem too. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-list-some-stupid-behaviors-caused-by-cell-phones/685134.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-list-some-stupid-behaviors-caused-by-cell-phones/685134.md?page=4)