# Using Cell Phones in public places **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 24, 2001, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-cell-phones-in-public-places/73613 "2001-07-24T12:05:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2001, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-cell-phones-in-public-places/73613/41 "2001-07-25T11:14:38Z")
Portables vs. phone booths: Why choose? Before I got mine (unwillingly), I just used public phones for those rare occasions when I needed them. One time, though, I ended up having to wait for 10 mintues behind someone who went into the phone booth so she could have nice quiet place to talk on her portable. Anyway, I don’t think using a portable in itself is rude, but I find I’m more likely to do rude things while i’m using one (talk too loudly, slow down, bump into things, etc.), so I try to act accordingly. Also, if I have to call someone I don’t like, I actually rather enjoy waiting until I’m on the toilet to make my call. –sublight. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2001, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-cell-phones-in-public-places/73613/42 "2001-07-25T11:22:35Z")
So here’s my plan. When we encounter people talking on their phones loudly in inappropriate places, we just fill in the other side of the conversation equally loudly. Not only is there potential for hilarity beyond measure, but it just might make phone users more aware… or not… I didn’t say it was a good plan. ---
**Author:** ![Sunglasses](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5fc32e/32.png) [@Sunglasses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunglasses)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2001, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-cell-phones-in-public-places/73613/43 "2001-07-25T12:06:44Z")
FairyChatMom, I think that’s an EXCELLENT idea. Thanks for my first laugh of the day. I’m with you amarinth, I just don’t care to be that accessible. I find chatting on the phone (ANY phone) to be a huge waste of my time. spooje, I’m not sure I find it especially rude, but I do find it annoying. I find it perplexing, as well. I don’t WANT to be reached in the grocery store, or at the movies, etc., and can’t understand why anyone else would want to be, either. BTW I mean only personal calls. I do understand when one has to be accessible for professional reasons. ---
**Author:** ![occ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8c91f0/32.png) [@occ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/occ)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2001, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-cell-phones-in-public-places/73613/44 "2001-07-25T13:52:19Z")
I’ll be the first to admit that under certain circumstances, no, you shouldn’t use your cell phone. However, the “cell-phone reactionaries” have gotten way too vocal on this point. I was once in a local burger joint, and received a phone call. Like most of my calls, it was merely to convey information, and the call lasted all of 45 seconds. However, after I hung up a guy walking out with his family made a snide remark to me. Well, excuse the \ out of me, family man. I wouldn’t want to ruin your fast-food experience by talking on my phone for a few seconds. The guy wasn’t even sitting near me! My opinion: this is just the thing-to-bitch-about du jour. Can you imagine how many inane newspaper/magazine columns have been written about “rude people on cell phones”? Give it a rest. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2001, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-cell-phones-in-public-places/73613/45 "2001-07-25T15:59:28Z")
OK, so I’m at a Braves game a few weeks back. I’m lucky enough to have first-row seats behind the dugout, given to me by a buddy. These seats are situated so that any time a left-handed batter comes up, we get our faces on TV. So, naturally… Every person in the first five rows who owns a cell phone spends half the game calling everyone they know and having this identical conversation: HEY, WHATCHA DOIN’? TURN ON YOUR TV! **TURN ON YOUR TV!!!** TURN ON THE BRAVES GAME! **THE BRAVES GAME!!!** OK. WAIT…WAIT… I’M ON TV!!! **I’M ON TV!!!** LOOK FOR THE RED [blue/green/whatever] SHIRT! THAT’S ME IN THE RED SHIRT!! LOOK! I’M WAVING AT YOU!!! [Follow with five minutes of chatter…] Multiply that conversation by about 50 and well, let’s just say it detracted a bit from enjoyment of the game. My chief annoyance with folks who drive while using a cell phone is those who compensate by being overly cautious. I have been stuck behind many drivers who slow to a crawl while they dial or talk. Also, count me with those posters who have come to expect certain places and times to be relatively quiet, and are really annoyed when loud cell phone conversations intrude on those moments. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2001, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-cell-phones-in-public-places/73613/46 "2001-07-25T16:20:29Z")
And my my, just look at all the defensive posts in this thread. If you feel defensive about your cell phone use, you may be part of the problem, sez I. ---
**Author:** ![OxyMoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9a140/32.png) [@OxyMoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OxyMoron)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2001, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-cell-phones-in-public-places/73613/47 "2001-07-25T17:32:33Z")
My cell rings. I look at the ID, it’s my friend Steve, who I’m supposed to meet up with later. I gotta take it. Me: Hello… Steve: Hi, how’re you? Me: Um, good… Steve: You sound weird, you OK? Me: I’m just trying to keep my voice down. Uh, d’you mind if I call you back in about three minutes? You gonna be around? Steve: Oh, sure, no problem. _[Implied: What-EVER!]_ Three minutes later, I return the call: Me: Steve? Hi, sorry 'bout that. Steve: What was _that_ about? Me: Look, I was in a stall in the men’s room at Borders- Steve: [Cackles] Me: - changing into the shorts I just bought. Are you happy? Steve: Well, I’m happy for _you_. Do you feel better? Me: :rolleyes: Much, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Hibbins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ce73a5/32.png) [@Hibbins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hibbins)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2001, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-cell-phones-in-public-places/73613/48 "2001-07-25T18:52:27Z")
Cell phone conversations are appropriate in any public setting in which a normal (person to person) conversation would be acceptable. Given that the cell phone user practices basic etiquette such as not talking too loudly, turning down/off the ringer in quieter settings, and not losing focus on what is happening around them. It’s really basic, but it works for almost every situation. If you are still annoyed by courteous cell users, you are being irrational and need to learn to separate the courteous from the discourteous and not lump all cell users into the same basket. **Finagle** > [@](#): > > Bets? In my experience, people who claim they are unlike (and superior in abilities to) other people are probably just kidding themselves. You must know a lot of people who like to throw their money away on stupid bets. If I’m offering up a bet, I assure you I am very confident in the outcome. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2001, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-cell-phones-in-public-places/73613/49 "2001-07-25T21:53:58Z")
Hibbens, Um, did you actually read my post? I’m trying to think of any conceivable context in which your response makes any sense whatsoever. Unfortunately, even my most generous attempts at interpretation have failed. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2001, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-cell-phones-in-public-places/73613/50 "2001-07-25T22:23:51Z")
Put me in the cell phone haters catagory. I spend a lot of time at work on a cash register. I have had people take calls in the middle of a transaction! Then they sit there yapping away, while I am trying to finish the transaction and help the next costumer. I’m sorry, but some random bozos inability to be serperated from his personal life for all of two minutes does not take precedence over my need to do my job. Public cell phone use is very different than public conversation. In public conversation, both parties are aware of what is going on. Bob might actually stop yapping at Bill, so that Bill can receive his change and get the heck out of my line. But on a cell phone, Bob is oblivious to what Bill is doing, and therefor does not make the needed accomadations that allow Bill to both converse and function in public. Bill owes it to the people that he around, the workers that he interacts with and the public at large to keep his mind on what he is doing. ---
**Author:** ![Bartman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@Bartman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bartman)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2001, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-cell-phones-in-public-places/73613/51 "2001-07-25T22:43:13Z")
**FalconFinder** , The University of Utah just published a study that found cell phone use had the second greatest reduction of response time of any tested factor. (The only thing that reduced response time more was alcohol use). Phone use nearly doubled the response time for nearly all drivers. In addition none of the test subjects proved to be immune to the effects of phone use. So sorry **pestie** unless you are a mutant in variance with all the test subjects in this study, your response time is probably nearly doubled as well. As an interesting note the use of head sets caused no improvement over hand held phones. In both cases the drivers were drastically impaired. Another note in reference to talking to someone in a car, this had virtual no effect on most drivers. Apparently cell phones simply require much more concentration than normal conversation. This may be due to poorer reception or sound replication or maybe something else. As for courtesy, most people are rude insensitive jerks. Not intentionally, it is just that most people simply don’t think of others. We are a world of Homer Simpsons. I see no reason anyone should expect people to behave better with a phone in their hand than they do without. Hopefully within a few years a kind of etiquete will have been worked out and we can all get up in arms about some new behavior. ---
**Author:** ![anenquiringmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anenquiringmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anenquiringmind)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-cell-phones-in-public-places/73613/52 "2001-07-26T04:46:37Z")
When people are annoyingly loud/stupid while talking on the phone in a public place… I swear to God this is the best way to make them aware of what they are doing. LISTEN INTENTLY TO THEIR CONVERSATION, (this will shut-em-up everytime) NOD WHEN IT’S APPROPRIATE RAISE YOUR EYEBROWS SHAKE YOUR HEAD IN SYMPATHY and ask questions after they hang up. “Why didnt Betty want to go to the party?” etc. I HAVE done this and it is tons of fun, luckily I have not been shot yet. But hey, I figure they want me in on the conversation or they would try harder to maintain their privacy. ---
**Author:** ![Fionn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Fionn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fionn)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-cell-phones-in-public-places/73613/53 "2001-07-26T06:59:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Al Zheimers \* > \*\*spooje, it’s just something we have to live with. It’s more stupid than rude. > > There’s some kind of mindless prejudice against cellphones building. I was having a business lunch with some friends on an outdoor deck this week. One of us felt his cellphone vibrate (no ringing noise), took it out of his pocket and spoke normally into it. The waitress came over and said no cellphones allowed on the deck. > [snip] > With all due respect, if you have anti-public cellphone use prejudices, reflect on whether or not you are just resistant to social change, being a bit of a Luddite, and disrespecting the rights and freedoms of those around you. Those who are offended by public cellphone use would change their tune quickly if they found themselves in a lifestyle position where they required a cellphone to keep in contact. > \*\* Disclosure-I have a cell phone, I like to carry it in case of emergencies, I turn it off when the occasion warrants it, I don’t ignore people during conversations, I try not to subject other people to inane blatherings. I’m going to take a wild stab in the dark and speculate that the “mindless prejudice” is due to the frustrations various posters have voiced more. There’s a big difference between one person yakking on a cell phone in a restaurant and an entire room full of conversations and rings. One is bearable, the other is not. To put it simply, it’s inconsiderate to ignore other people, to cause a traffic hazard or to subject strangers to the details of Uncle Bob’s ingrown toenail, whether it’s on a cell phone or not. I think it’s just easier to be inconsiderate when using a cell phone. If I were zigzagging through traffic, paying no mind to traffic, a car passenger would probably tell me to stop. With expletives. A cell phone won’t do that. If I were sitting at a table talking with one friend and another approached, I would introduce them and make some effort to include both of them in conversation. That’s not so easy with a cell phone. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-cell-phones-in-public-places/73613/54 "2001-07-26T07:27:04Z")
I hate cell phones. However, I hate normal phones as well. I cannot stand to talk to someone for long periods of time on the phone. Personally, I will **never** own a cell phone, because I don’t feel the need to be constantly at the beck and call of people who can’t be bothered to set aside time to meet me face to face. \ As for others cell phone use in public…I’m very much afraid of and deeply loath people who use cell phones for non-emergency calls while driving. They are dangerous. I’m also bothered very much by people, especially on the campus of the college I attended, who walk out in the middle of the road while talking on the phone, so caught up in their conversations that they never even notice you had to slam on the brakes to keep from killing them. So, if people are putting themselves, or others in danger, I am deeply bothered by it. The OP was talking about non-dangerous use, though. I don’t think it’s any ruder, to me(to their companions is another matter) for someone to talk on their cell phone in public than to a companion. I wouldn’t do it, and I am annoyed by it, but I don’t think it’s rude per say since they usually don’t know how loud they’re being. If they step on you, though, because they’re distracted, that \* is\* rude and careless. Unfortunately, unless the whole “cell phones cause brain cancer” thing pans out, it’s something stupid we’ll have to learn to live with. However, I really really really wish that I could beat the crap out of the person who decided that cellular one radio commericals (at least locally) should feature the sound of the ringing or dialing phone- my high pitch hearing is very “good” and I find their commericals painful, even if I do manage to switch stations before it’s well into it. There’s nothing like those commericals to make you wish you had hearing in the normal range, let me tell you. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-cell-phones-in-public-places/73613/55 "2001-07-26T07:57:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by porcupine \* > \*\*As far as _why_ hearing someone on the cell phone is rather annoying at times, I think a big part of it is that personal conversations that used to be made in private are now in public, and you are sometimes forced to eavesdrop (because of the volume) and hear things about total strangers that you _really_ don’t want to hear. I have no problem with anyone using a cell phone discretely in public. Of course, those using it discretely are not the ones that any of us notice. And I think that some of the people that aren’t so discrete _want_ to be noticed, either consciously or unconsciously. \*\* Perhaps my calling it rude was a bit strong. And let me state that I have never ‘lectured’ anyone about their cell usage who was not a blood relative. I think **Porcupine** has hit the nail on the head. The cell phone use I described in the OP is _indiscrete._ A conversation between 2 people in a public place is not private(not that anyone should _try_ to listen in). I think a telephone call is, by it’s nature, private and should be treated so. When I overheard the bubblehead in the grocery talking about her activities the night before on her phone, I almost felt like I was eavesdropping. And I was put off by it. As I write this, a co-worker with a new cell phone is listening to all the ring options it offers. I told him he may think it’s cool to have it play a tune as a ring, but everyone who hears it go off is going to be annoyed by it. Since when is a simple ring not good enough?? ---
**Author:** ![Keko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a8b319/32.png) [@Keko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keko)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-cell-phones-in-public-places/73613/56 "2001-07-26T08:17:54Z")
Cel phones are ok if you have to make a quick call (eg: “I’ll be home late”, “I’m stuck in traffic”, etc.) But when someone feels like they have to have a full conversation about what happened on “Days of Our Lives” yesterday, then that’s going a bit too far. The other day, I had a rare few hours to myself to relax and do a bit of shopping. While I was looking at some clothes in a very peaceful department store, this lady talking LOUDLY on a cel phone was yammering to whoever-the-hell it was on her phone about how her vacation went! I kept giving her dirty looks but maybe she was blind as well as deaf… that would explain all the damn yellin she was doing! Oh, and what is it with mothers and cel phones? When my mom calls me from her cel phone, she does one of two things… I answer and say “Hello?” and I can hear my mom talking to my brother in her car. I have to yell to remind her that she CALLED ME! Or… she yells, “CAN YOU HEAR ME???” Now THAT is a good reason to keep my cel phone off most of the time, dontcha think??? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Carina42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Carina42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carina42)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-cell-phones-in-public-places/73613/57 "2001-07-26T11:16:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Corixidae \* > \*\*I won’t use my cell phone at a restaurant table – I That said, it appalls me how people will abandon their table mate(s) for long periods while they yap away on the phone. I’ve seen some who are on dates (guessing this, because it was one man and one woman at a small intimate table) and one person will make or take a cell call and talk on and on, while the other person sits there staring at the ceiling or counting ice cubes in the water glasses or whatever. Drives me crazy, and I will _not_ do that to my own companions. > \*\* Yes! This is really really rude. I had a date with a guy who was an event promoter. We went to a very nice restaurant. No sooner had we sat down, his phone rings…and kept on ringing throughout the meal. I think he thought I would be impessed that he was so important that he couldn’t possibly be inaccessible to his minions. :rolleyes: That was the first and last date with whats-his-name. ---
**Author:** ![Hibbins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ce73a5/32.png) [@Hibbins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hibbins)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2001, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-cell-phones-in-public-places/73613/58 "2001-07-26T15:54:52Z")
Finagle, It’s Hibbins not Hibbens. UM :rolleyes:, I did read your post:rolleyes: My point was that people willing to bet on a claim are either stupid or pretty sure in their ability to back it up. You want to bet on your own generalization! That’s stupid. One proven exception and you lose. I agree that people making claims out of bravado tend to exaggerate. Yet I think people making claims as anecdotal evidence are a little more careful to be accurate in case they are called on it. ---
**Author:** ![xxx\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/db5fbb/32.png) [@xxx\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xxx_man)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2001, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-cell-phones-in-public-places/73613/59 "2001-07-27T15:04:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by spooje \* > \*\*Now, I’ll even include relevant calls(such as ‘Where the hell are you, I’m waiting’ or ‘What was it that you needed me to get, again?’ calls) as important. > > \*\* Relevant calls,you sound like a ladyfriend of mine,her questions also sound like orders. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2001, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-cell-phones-in-public-places/73613/60 "2001-07-27T15:42:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Hibbins \* > \*\*Finagle, > > It’s Hibbins not Hibbens. > > UM :rolleyes:, I did read your post:rolleyes: > > My point was that people willing to bet on a claim are either stupid or pretty sure in their ability to back it up. You want to bet on your own generalization! That’s stupid. One proven exception and you lose. > \*\* Yeah, sorry for the spelling. Now can I point out that “Bets?” is a shortened version of “You wanna bet?”. Which is not a literal offer of a bet, but rather a common colloquial expression for “I am mildly skeptical about your claim”. Had I wanted to make a real bet, it would have had the form: “Let me hook you up to a driving simulator and measure your response times both when using a cell phone and when not using a cell phone. If your response times are not degraded, I will give you a wad of cash. If they are degrade, you will give me a wad of cash.” Is the difference between the two clear to you now? In fact, I think that would be a rather interesting experiment to run. But I don’t feel like betting on it – being on the road with people using cell phones is enough of a gamble for me, thank you. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-cell-phones-in-public-places/73613.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-cell-phones-in-public-places/73613.md?page=4)