# Shut the fuck up about cell phones now. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 19, 2005, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-the-fuck-up-about-cell-phones-now/336291 "2005-12-19T14:14:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-the-fuck-up-about-cell-phones-now/336291/21 "2005-12-19T16:16:41Z")
Better idea: install high-pressure water guns for every seat. Theater patrons may fire at will when a cell phone rings. Problem solved! ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-the-fuck-up-about-cell-phones-now/336291/22 "2005-12-19T16:21:20Z")
Movie theaters just need to offer two screenings. One for people who want to watch the movie uninterrupted and one for people who want to talk on their phones or bring in young children. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-the-fuck-up-about-cell-phones-now/336291/23 "2005-12-19T16:32:32Z")
> [@Max Torque](#): > > Better idea: install high-pressure water guns for every seat. Theater patrons may fire at will when a cell phone rings. Problem solved! I like this, but if people are wankers enough to let their phones ring in a cinema, or wankers enough to conduct a telephone conversation in there, then there are bound to be some stupid wankers who would just fire the water guns at random people for no reason other than that they are stupid wankers. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-the-fuck-up-about-cell-phones-now/336291/24 "2005-12-19T16:37:48Z")
> [@SkipMagic](#): > > Hmm… think they could somehow arrange for the theaters to zap the power of the cell phones (and other text message devices) so that I don’t have to be distracted by the glowing blue screens of the nitwits who insist on pulling their toys out to text message one another? I might pay extra for that. I hate that - why do they bother coming at all when they spend the entire time text-messaging other people? They paid to be there, but don’t pay attention at all. What a waste. > [@](#): > > Originally posted by by DianaG\*\* > Hiring more ushers doesn’t even really solve the problem anyway. Even if they did have sufficient staff to remove everyone whose cell phone rings, it’s too little, too late. The disruption has already happened, and the other patrons have already been inconvenienced. And having an usher go and ask them to leave is just extending the disruption even more. I can see where it’d start arguements about whether or not the patron really has to leave or not. “Sir, you have to leave the theater if you want to talk on your cell phone.” "But I’ll just be a minute. It’s my sitter - little Precious-Uggums won’t go to sleep. “Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to go to the lobby, please.” “But I’ll just be a minute.” And so on… ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-the-fuck-up-about-cell-phones-now/336291/25 "2005-12-19T16:41:11Z")
How about this as a solution: The theater blocks cell phone calls as described above. When you walk into the theater, if you still want to be reachable in an emergency, you leave your phone with a concierge (outside the jammed area) and get a claim ticket for it. If you get an emergency call, they pause the movie and send an usher in to call out your name so you can go answer your emergency. When you return, or if the emergency requires you to leave, they resume the movie. Satisfies everybody! Well, except for the people who object to having their movies interrupted, but how many people are going to object when it’s an actual emergency? ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-the-fuck-up-about-cell-phones-now/336291/26 "2005-12-19T16:51:06Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > How about this as a solution: The theater blocks cell phone calls as described above. When you walk into the theater, if you still want to be reachable in an emergency, you leave your phone with a concierge (outside the jammed area) and get a claim ticket for it. I’d be one who’d object to having the movie interrupted. How about you get one of those buzzy light-up things you get in some restaurants so you know when your table is ready? You drop your phone off with the concierge, get a buzzy light-up thingy (I don’t know what they’re called - about the size of a hockey puck), which is cross-numbered with your phone. If your phone rings, the concierge answers, says, “Hang on just a minute” and triggers your buzzer thing. It vibrates and lights up (could just vibrate, obviously) and you know you have a call. You quietly get up and leave. No hardship on anyone. ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-the-fuck-up-about-cell-phones-now/336291/27 "2005-12-19T16:53:06Z")
Forcing people to set their phone to vibrate ignores two common scenarios. 1. That people overlook it, or don’t know how to do it. 2. That people MAKE CALLS while watching the movie. Some theaters are trying to get tough and get employees to enforce it. That’s pretty fucking funny. Some 16 year old kid who spends his spare time texting Fox to vote for Fantasia is going to enfore a cell phone ban? Last time I saw a movie at one particular local theater, a theater employee was watching the movie in front of me and pulled out her cell phone to make a call. (“come on in.” “no, you haven’t missed anything.”) That was it for me at that theater. If I hear they start jamming cells, I’ll go back. I’m sure there are people who won’t go to the movies if they jam cells. Well, I’m a guy who won’t go to some theaters because they don’t. ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-the-fuck-up-about-cell-phones-now/336291/28 "2005-12-19T16:54:40Z")
[QUOTE=Lord Ashtar] And I swear, if I hear the “you’re not important enough to need to be reached at all times” argument again, I’m going to puke. QUOTE] Ah, but you’re right, you are not important enough to need to be reached at all times, to me. And that’s the point; to me. You are inconveniencing me with your assinine musical ringtones while I try to escape the world in a bit of movie-going. Sorry to burst your bubble, but the default state of a person is “no cell phone”; just like “no smoking”. You are the (potential) disruptor here. You need to accomodate us, the well-behaved, who know to shut up/not use phones during a public performance/movie. Thank you. And since you’ll probably disagree with this; how do you know a movie theatre isn’t naturally shielded? I work in an ancient building, filled to the guts with metal and fluorescent lights and the reception is non-existant. Are you going to assume that the theatre management must be screwing with your service if it your phone doesn’t work in their establishment? If I were to own/build a new theatre I would build in natural shielding from the get-go and just shrug my shoulders and say, sorry, there’s no reception in here, enjoy the show. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-the-fuck-up-about-cell-phones-now/336291/29 "2005-12-19T17:07:16Z")
> [@BwanaBob](#): > > Ah, but you’re right, you are not important enough to need to be reached at all times, to me. And that’s the point; to me. You are inconveniencing me with your assinine musical ringtones while I try to escape the world in a bit of movie-going. You’re confusing me with a rude person who doesn’t know how/refuses to turn their phone to vibrate and then won’t go outside the theater to take the call. I’m not going to lose connectivity because someone else can’t stop being an asshole. Why are you suggesting that we need to punish the majority for the sins of the minority? And as for me “not being important enough”, what if I was a neurologist? Suppose one of my patients suddenly has an MS attack and needs to get a hold of me right away? If I’m in a theater where they’re blocking my signal, my patient could die. Would that be “important” enough for you? I’ve gone to a lot of movies, and I have yet to be interupted by someone talking on a cellphone, much less texting someone (anyone bothered by that is being a tad touchy, IMHO). Maybe I’ve just gotten lucky. Or maybe this whole “problem” is being blown out of proportion. ---
**Author:** ![FisherQueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/58f4c7/32.png) [@FisherQueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FisherQueen)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-the-fuck-up-about-cell-phones-now/336291/30 "2005-12-19T17:16:18Z")
I was at a movie theater last week, buying my ticket, when I heard a very loud, very angry voice. I looked up to see a teenager, despite a great deal of angry posturing, being escorted out of the building by a security guard for using his cell phone during the movie. I could have kissed that guard. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-the-fuck-up-about-cell-phones-now/336291/31 "2005-12-19T17:17:04Z")
> [@Lord Ashtar](#): > > You’re confusing me with a rude person who doesn’t know how/refuses to turn their phone to vibrate and then won’t go outside the theater to take the call. I’m not going to lose connectivity because someone else can’t stop being an asshole. Why are you suggesting that we need to punish the majority for the sins of the minority? But we’re not confusing YOU with it! We’re pointing out that in our experience, there’s at least one in every theatre. I think whining babies and people talking is just as annnoying, but unless the theatre is more willing to do something it’s not going to get fixed. Here is something I see a clear and easy solution for. > [@](#): > > I’ve gone to a lot of movies, and I have yet to be interupted by someone talking on a cellphone, much less texting someone (anyone bothered by that is being a tad touchy, IMHO). Maybe I’ve just gotten lucky. Or maybe this whole “problem” is being blown out of proportion. But your experience is just as valid as mine, isn’t it? And yes, someone repeatedly opening their cellphone in the same row as you does disturb you. The glare shines right in your eyes and does distract you from the screen. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-the-fuck-up-about-cell-phones-now/336291/32 "2005-12-19T17:28:19Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > Hiring more ushers doesn’t even really solve the problem anyway. Even if they did have sufficient staff to remove everyone whose cell phone rings, it’s too little, too late. The disruption has already happened, and the other patrons have already been inconvenienced. Plus the doubtless loud, profane protests of the lout being asked to leave. Staff removing cell phone jerks would be bouncers which can be a tough job. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-the-fuck-up-about-cell-phones-now/336291/33 "2005-12-19T17:31:26Z")
Maybe I am lucky, but the cell phojne probelm that seemed so prevalent a few years ago just doesn’t seem to exist anymore. I can only remember one time where a phone went off during a movie in the last year. Now if they can come up with jammers to block little kids from kicking my seat, that would be totally worth it. ---
**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:** [December 19, 2005, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-the-fuck-up-about-cell-phones-now/336291/34 "2005-12-19T17:39:35Z")
> [@Lord Ashtar](#): > > And as for me “not being important enough”, what if I was a neurologist? Suppose one of my patients suddenly has an MS attack and needs to get a hold of me right away?. An MS patient calling a neurologist with an emergency would get a canned message advising him/her to go to the ER in the event of an emergency. A physician on call is one of the rare situations where a cellphone (on vibrate) could be permitted in a theater or concert hall. And the doc could damn well get up (quietly) and go out to the lobby to answer the page. A parent who wants to be in touch with the babysitter can leave the theater once during the show to call in. If the situation is so critical that the parent must be constantly available for a call, then the parent should stay home with the child. It’s too bad that the large numbers of inconsiderate idiots with cellphones could make it a bit more difficult for the considerate users. Not exactly a world crisis, though. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-the-fuck-up-about-cell-phones-now/336291/35 "2005-12-19T17:44:37Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > It’s too bad that the large numbers of inconsiderate idiots with cellphones could make it a bit more difficult for the considerate users. Not exactly a world crisis, though. No, but it can cause some churning of the stomach. I was in a Tulare, CA restaurant when three people came in and sat down at the next table. One of them immediately pulled out a cell phone and dialed someone, spending the next several minutes talking aloud while his lunch companions twiddled their thumbs. How rude can you get? ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-the-fuck-up-about-cell-phones-now/336291/36 "2005-12-19T18:19:14Z")
> [@Q.E.D.](#): > > As long as signs are placed to inform patrons of this, the FCC has no issue with it, AFAIK. And neither do I. IIRC, the FCC does have a problem with it, and using a jammer is technically illegal. Sorry, no cite. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-the-fuck-up-about-cell-phones-now/336291/37 "2005-12-19T18:29:16Z")
> [@Lord Ashtar](#): > > I’m not going to lose **connectivity** because someone else can’t stop being an asshole. I can’t believe you actually said 'connectivity." snerk. :rolleyes: 😛 > [@](#): > > And as for me “not being important enough”, what if I was a neurologist? Suppose one of my patients suddenly has an MS attack and needs to get a hold of me right away? If I’m in a theater where they’re blocking my signal, my patient could die. Would that be “important” enough for you? Are you actually a neurologist? As pointed out, most patients in an emergent situation would call their doctor’s office and get a recording telling them to go to the ER or perhaps call another number and get the answering service, who would then call their own doctor or whichever doctor is on call, and then you’d wait for the doc to call you back - how many doctors actually have patient calls go to their cell? I said in a thread a month or so ago, people actually got by years ago with no cell phones. When I was a teenager and baby-sat, parents made sure I knew their seat number and row (for the theater) or what movie they were seeing, or what restaurant they would be at, and left phone numbers for me in case of an emergency. People managed - no one _had_ to be connected 24 hours a day. If I went to the mall with my friends and later needed to be picked up by my parents, I used a pay phone, or arranged ahead of time with my mother to be picked up at _this time_ at _this entrance._ It worked fine. > [@](#): > > … much less texting someone (anyone bothered by that is being a tad touchy, IMHO). The texting _is_ annoying. The glaring screen is incredibly bright in a darkened theater. And what’s the point of going to a movie if you spend the whole time texting someone? You’ve missed the whole movie! ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-the-fuck-up-about-cell-phones-now/336291/38 "2005-12-19T18:40:55Z")
> [@BiblioCat](#): > > I’d be one who’d object to having the movie interrupted. But it’s an _emergency!_ Surely the audience would understand. > [@](#): > > How about you get one of those buzzy light-up things you get in some restaurants so you know when your table is ready? My assumption was that something that would block cell phones would block those. ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-the-fuck-up-about-cell-phones-now/336291/39 "2005-12-19T18:44:58Z")
> [@Lord Ashtar](#): > > Maybe I’ve just gotten lucky. Or maybe this whole “problem” is being blown out of proportion. Piffle. Next you’ll tell me that there’s no war on Christmas. Damn your common sense! ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2005, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-the-fuck-up-about-cell-phones-now/336291/40 "2005-12-19T18:54:42Z")
> [@BiblioCat](#): > > I can’t believe you actually said 'connectivity." snerk. :rolleyes: 😛 Ugh, that’s the DBA side of me talking. > [@](#): > > Are you actually a neurologist? No, but I play one in a movie. > [@](#): > > As pointed out, most patients in an emergent situation would call their doctor’s office and get a recording telling them to go to the ER or perhaps call another number and get the answering service, who would then call their own doctor or whichever doctor is on call, and then you’d wait for the doc to call you back - how many doctors actually have patient calls go to their cell? My girlfriend has MS, and she has her neurologist’s cell number. She went to three different doctors before deciding on the one she’s currently with, partly because he was willing to be available to her for questions and concerns off hours. I’m sure that if he were in a movie, he’d turn his cell phone to vibrate and take the call outside, since he’s not an asshole. > [@](#): > > I said in a thread a month or so ago, people actually got by years ago with no cell phones. When I was a teenager and baby-sat, parents made sure I knew their seat number and row (for the theater) or what movie they were seeing, or what restaurant they would be at, and left phone numbers for me in case of an emergency. People managed - no one _had_ to be connected 24 hours a day. If I went to the mall with my friends and later needed to be picked up by my parents, I used a pay phone, or arranged ahead of time with my mother to be picked up at _this time_ at _this entrance._ It worked fine. I’m sure it did. However, technology has improved to a point that makes all that obsolete. Consider the case of the babysitter and the parents. Instead of leaving a list of phone numbers and a schedule (which could change), they leave one number and say, “Call if you have any questions.” Isn’t that just easier for everyone involved? > [@](#): > > The texting _is_ annoying. The glaring screen is incredibly bright in a darkened theater. And what’s the point of going to a movie if you spend the whole time texting someone? You’ve missed the whole movie! I wouldn’t let something like that bother me. If they choose to pay $10 and spend the whole time texting their friends, it’s their loss. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-the-fuck-up-about-cell-phones-now/336291.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shut-the-fuck-up-about-cell-phones-now/336291.md?page=3)