# Minorities use Cell Phones More? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 25, 2010, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minorities-use-cell-phones-more/551455 "2010-08-25T21:22:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hermitian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hermitian/32/470_2.png) [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minorities-use-cell-phones-more/551455/1 "2010-08-25T21:22:47Z")
Since I think this discussion is going to come up short on facts and long on opinions, I put it in this forum. According to a [CNN article](http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/mobile/08/25/nielsen.phone.use/index.html?hpt=T2): \*According to the survey’s data, black users sent and received about 780 text messages per month and Hispanics got or sent about 767 – significantly more than whites, who checked in with 566 texts in the same time period. Both of those groups, as well as Asians and Pacific Islanders, also talk more on their mobile phones than white customers. Black mobile phone users talked about 1,300 minutes a month, on average, followed by Hispanics at 826, Asians and Pacific Islanders at 692, and whites at 647 minutes.\* (Note that this was a study of 60,000 customers so I don’t think it was just a fluke.) My first guess is that whites have lower unemployment which means they are more likely to a) use their work phone, and b) have less time to talk. I would still have a hard time explaining away the enormous difference in talking time of blacks vs all other groups. So, why do you think minorities text and talk more on their cell phones than whites? ---
**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:** [August 25, 2010, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minorities-use-cell-phones-more/551455/2 "2010-08-25T21:50:28Z")
Ever spend a day sick at home, and watched some daytime television? Along with the usual commercials for buy-here-pay-here auto lots, fly-by-night trade schools, injury attorneys, debt consolidation, structured settlement brokers and the like, you’ll see a ton of commercials for Cricket and Boost mobile phone service, and other prepaid cell phone services. [Many of those mobile phone commercials are urban-oriented](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVsZAqG17HI) I don’t think it’s so much where blacks are chattier, but rather that they’re probably more likely to have a cell phone as their only phone. With poor credit, it’s easier to get a cell phone than landline service. Many lower income blacks have had their landline phones cut off, judging from the urban-oriented “we’ll turn your phone back on” ads I’ve seen. Also, they’re probably less likely to have broadband internet service, so the cell phone is going to be their major communications link to the outside world. ---
**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:** [August 25, 2010, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minorities-use-cell-phones-more/551455/3 "2010-08-25T21:58:38Z")
> [@elmwood](#): > > I don’t think it’s so much where blacks are chattier, but rather that they’re probably more likely to have a cell phone as their only phone. With poor credit, it’s easier to get a cell phone than landline service. Many lower income blacks have had their landline phones cut off, judging from the urban-oriented “we’ll turn your phone back on” ads I’ve seen. Also, they’re probably less likely to have broadband internet service, so the cell phone is going to be their major communications link to the outside world. I am starting to see why black folks tire of these kinds of threads. It is finally dawning on me, slow as I am. ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minorities-use-cell-phones-more/551455/4 "2010-08-25T23:07:51Z")
Have a cup of non-Starbucks\* coffee and wake up. - 'Cause you can’t afford it. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minorities-use-cell-phones-more/551455/5 "2010-08-25T23:25:36Z")
I think someone should start a “Things You Know About Black People From Watching Daytime TV Commercials” thread. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minorities-use-cell-phones-more/551455/6 "2010-08-25T23:39:26Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > I am starting to see why black folks tire of these kinds of threads. It is finally dawning on me, slow as I am. Maybe the study only took place in movie theaters. ---
**Author:** ![Hermitian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hermitian/32/470_2.png) [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2010, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minorities-use-cell-phones-more/551455/7 "2010-08-25T23:48:49Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > > [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > > > I am starting to see why black folks tire of these kinds of threads. It is finally dawning on me, slow as I am. > > Maybe the study only took place in movie theaters. All right guys, no more crapping on my thread. I’m looking for legit answers without starting a flame war! ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minorities-use-cell-phones-more/551455/8 "2010-08-26T00:52:44Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > > [@elmwood](#): > > > > I don’t think it’s so much where blacks are chattier, but rather that they’re probably more likely to have a cell phone as their only phone. With poor credit, it’s easier to get a cell phone than landline service. Many lower income blacks have had their landline phones cut off, judging from the urban-oriented “we’ll turn your phone back on” ads I’ve seen. Also, they’re probably less likely to have broadband internet service, so the cell phone is going to be their major communications link to the outside world. > > I am starting to see why black folks tire of these kinds of threads. It is finally dawning on me, slow as I am. **Nzinga** , how are you posting this? It can’t be from home, because you’re black. You’re sending this via text message, because your phone was shut off, right? ---
**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:** [August 26, 2010, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minorities-use-cell-phones-more/551455/9 "2010-08-26T00:58:26Z")
Wayell, Miss Zweisamkeit, iss lack dis, ya heah? I’s got me one o’ dem Ba Rocko Bama phomes! Dey comes free to me cuz I’s dis-employed. I can scratch my X out on da Dope wit dis heah phome! ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minorities-use-cell-phones-more/551455/10 "2010-08-26T01:00:13Z")
> [@elmwood](#): > > I don’t think it’s so much where blacks are chattier, but rather that they’re probably more likely to have a cell phone as their only phone. With poor credit, it’s easier to get a cell phone than landline service. Many lower income blacks have had their landline phones cut off, judging from the urban-oriented “we’ll turn your phone back on” ads I’ve seen. Also, they’re probably less likely to have broadband internet service, so the cell phone is going to be their major communications link to the outside world. I’m white, college educated, and make good money . . . my cell phone is my only phone. My father is a very successful businessman and he doesn’t have a home phone. Oh, he’s white, too. You sure you’re not confusing race with. . . people who are home during the day (ie: unemployed)? ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minorities-use-cell-phones-more/551455/11 "2010-08-26T01:00:39Z")
Did they remember to control for mandatory house arrest check-in calls? There’s your answer. ---
**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:** [August 26, 2010, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minorities-use-cell-phones-more/551455/12 "2010-08-26T01:07:17Z")
Anyone who attempts an answer to the OP is racist, how about that? ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minorities-use-cell-phones-more/551455/13 "2010-08-26T01:08:04Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > Wayell, Miss Zweisamkeit, iss lack dis, ya heah? I’s got me one o’ dem Ba Rocko Bama phomes! Dey comes free to me cuz I’s dis-employed. I can scratch my X out on da Dope wit dis heah phome! Wow! I bet you sure do feel empowered now! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minorities-use-cell-phones-more/551455/14 "2010-08-26T01:53:42Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > Wayell, Miss Zweisamkeit, iss lack dis, ya heah? I’s got me one o’ dem Ba Rocko Bama phomes! Dey comes free to me cuz I’s dis-employed. I can scratch my X out on da Dope wit dis heah phome! Are you now also Southern, and seventy? ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minorities-use-cell-phones-more/551455/15 "2010-08-26T01:58:58Z")
> [@Hades](#): > > > [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > > > Wayell, Miss Zweisamkeit, iss lack dis, ya heah? I’s got me one o’ dem Ba Rocko Bama phomes! Dey comes free to me cuz I’s dis-employed. I can scratch my X out on da Dope wit dis heah phome! > > Are you now also Southern, and seventy? So, now you’re racist, regionist, and ageist. Nice. _Nice._ ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minorities-use-cell-phones-more/551455/16 "2010-08-26T02:11:56Z")
Though my name is synonymous with Hell, and if I remember correctly, \*\*elmwood \*\*is from Buffalo, we are, in fact, not the same person, so I’m not sure where the racist accusation comes from. I’ll cop to the ageism and provincialism, though. Old people and Southerners are both pretty damned hard to understand a lot of the time. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minorities-use-cell-phones-more/551455/17 "2010-08-26T03:43:44Z")
How else are _those people_ going to get all that crack cocaine and watermelon once they’ve left prison? ---
**Author:** ![Tabby\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tabby\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabby_Cat)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minorities-use-cell-phones-more/551455/18 "2010-08-26T03:58:31Z")
Fried chicken. Yalls forgetting the fried chicken. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minorities-use-cell-phones-more/551455/19 "2010-08-26T18:23:58Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > Wayell, Miss Zweisamkeit, iss lack dis, ya heah? I’s got me one o’ dem Ba Rocko Bama phomes! Dey comes free to me cuz I’s dis-employed. I can scratch my X out on da Dope wit dis heah phome! Don’t forget - you’re also ugly. Edit: Semi-serious answer. I’ve had my sister psycho-text me because she was nearing minutes maximum, so she texted instead. Apparently unlimited (or very lage) text capacity is cheaper than talk time. But that was a million years ago when she was broke. Now she’s all fancy and has some zillion dollar phone that can read minds, and a plan that lets her make phone calls to Mars. It’s true. ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2010, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minorities-use-cell-phones-more/551455/20 "2010-08-26T18:34:05Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > Wayell, Miss Zweisamkeit, iss lack dis, ya heah? I’s got me one o’ dem Ba Rocko Bama phomes! Dey comes free to me cuz I’s dis-employed. I can scratch my X out on da Dope wit dis heah phome! OT: I’ve never heard a native English speaker of any dialect use the term “dis-employed”. I’ve heard immigrants from China use the term, though. ETA: It needed to be said, dammit. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minorities-use-cell-phones-more/551455.md?page=2)