Seriously, how did the human race survive before the invention of cell phones? It astounds me how many people have one permanently affixed to their ears nowadays.
Earlier this week, I was waiting in line at a drive thru, and when the person ahead of me pulled up to place her order, she actually told the person working at McDonald’s to hold on, while she finished telling whoever was on the other end of the phone about the guy she met last night. I know this because she was talking so loud I couldn’t help but hear her conversation. She finally placed her order, but even when paying and picking up her food, the cell phone never left her ear.
I’ve even had students in my office take phone calls during an advising session. Most tell the other person they’ll call them back, but some don’t care that they’re sitting in my office, and carry on five minute or longer conversations. The worst person I met got calls three times during our 45 min. meeting, and talked to each one of them.
When I was flying to and from BlogHer, I was amazed that now they announce, at the exact moment the plane touches down, that you’re now allowed to turn on and use your cell phones. It’s been 10 years since I flew, and in 1996 people weren’t going through cell phone withdrawal on a two hour flight. Or an eight hour flight, for that matter. But now, as soon as the message is given, the sounds of cell phones powering up is heard, and seconds later half of the people are chatting away with someone not on the plane. (Aside from the idiots in front of me, on the way back to Columbus, who took the time to call their friends who were sitting 10 rows ahead of them to ask about dinner plans.)
I won’t even begin to talk about the people who answer their cell phones and talk while using the facilities in a public restroom. Or the fact that kids as young as six are now carrying the damn things around like some elementary school status symbol.
What conversations are so important that they can be conducted while meeting with someone or while in the bathroom? Personally, were I on the other end of the line and heard the distinctive sound of tinkling, I would ask if I could call them back.
Cell phones are also completely erasing any notice of the world around you. I see so many people in public places yaking away on their phones, oblivious to anything around them. There are people who nearly get hit by cars crossing the street because they’re not paying attention. And what happened to talking to other people around you? Cell phones erase the need to ever make small talk, or get to know the people you’re waiting in line with, or to speak with any stranger ever.
Forget the internet – I think cell phones are causing us to become more isolated than ever. The phone is programmed with the numbers of our friends and family, ready to talk to at a moment’s notice. The phone makes it possible to never be apart from those you are closest to, because cell phones are allowed nearly everywhere you go. At least on the internet we can meet new people.
Now, don’t get me wrong – I love my cell phone. It is a convenience that I enjoy having. I like being able to change plans on the fly and let everyone know, or let Aaron know when I will be late getting home, or ask if I should pick up dinner on the way. But I think that many people use their phones way too much, and in owning a cell phone, they have completely forgotten all rules of etiquette. I simply can’t understand why someone would want to be constantly talking to their friends day and night. Wouldn’t you run out of things to say? Don’t you ever get tired of talking and just want to listen to the radio or enjoy some silence?
And I can’t see giving Cordy a cell phone anytime soon. And if we were to give her one before she’s a teen, it would be one of those Firefly phones that would only let her call the people we’ve programmed in, and it would have a very limited number of minutes. She doesn’t need a phone to stay in touch with her friends 24/7.
The truth is, we did manage to survive before the invention of the cell phone. As a kid, I spent many summer afternoons running all over the neighborhood. I didn’t have a cell phone, and yet my mom still managed to know where I was. How? I checked in with her, either by stopping back by the house, or calling her from a friend’s house. If I was really desperate, I usually had a quarter and could use a pay phone to call her. If I needed to come home early from the public pool, I would either call my mom on the pay phone, walk home, or suck it up and wait for her to come get me at the arranged time. And instead of talking to my friends on the phone all day, I’d go over and spend time with them. My relationships with my mom and my friends did not suffer due to a lack of a cell phone.
One more thing: those new Bluetooth wireless headsets? Not only are they annoying (if you’re on the other side, you’d think the person was talking to you or just insane), but they’re ugly, too. Looking at the piece of plastic and metal sticking out of someone’s ear makes me want to go up to these cyborgs and say, “Are you a Borg? Have you been assimilated?” You don’t look cool – you look dumb, and if I don’t see the headset, I often wonder if you’ve escaped the mental hospital as you talk to yourself.
If you’re a cell phone addict, I give you this challenge: during one of the times you’re on the phone just because it’s something to do to keep you from being bored, or having to acknowledge the people around you, don’t use it. Yes, turn it off and keep it stored away. Just once, enjoy the silence, or listen to your radio in the car, or say hi to someone around you as you wait for the bus. Take the time to notice the world around you. Your friends and family will still be accessible half an hour later.
One of the things that annoys me most while I am working are guests that are on the phone. I can understand taking a quick call, perhaps finding out their companion is running behind or what not. But when I approach to say “Hi,” at least acknowledge me. There are few things worse than having to stand beside the table and wait for the person to talk to you. I’ve tried waiting, but I don’t have time to stand and stare at one table. And if I just go about my business and wait until he is off of the phone, he is usually perturbed that I haven’t stopped by yet.
I try very hard not to be rude while on the phone. Especially when dealing with real people right in front of me. I save my calls for times when I am alone, rather than in the check out lane or in a waiting room. It is just courteous to give the other person your attention. I know nothing feels worse than helping someone who doesn’t feel you are important enough to be acknowledged.
What a wonderful and true post! I hate seeing everyone around me talking all the time. Some of my closest friends have given up their home phones and are exclusively using their cells…UGH!
The people talking and driving are my biggest pet peeve.
Thanks for the post, I hope it speaks to some of your readers!
Driving and cell phones.
ARGH! The thought of it just drives me insane.
I just wanted to let you know that I refrences this post in my blog this morning! I want everyone to read this!
Another problem with cell phones is that they are making the pay phone an endangered species. In fact there is a small town in BC that was to lose its only pay phone because “It was attracting the criminal element.” What it is is ridiculus.
I only have a pay-as-you-go phone. It is for emergencies and video-store visits. (You know so you don’t spend the whole time thinking would he watch this?) I also think that trying to write a text message on a phone is difficult at best. Recieving them is much better. Luckily people don’t call me on my cell phone because I don’t give out the number.
Good post!
P.S. The people who are always talking on their phones on the street, at least some of them have got to be pretending. Half of them just have it to their ear with nothing comming out of their mouthes. A new hiding mechanism I guess.
I loathe cell phones. I only have one because my husband insists, for safety reasons. It chaps my ass every month to hand over $40 for a service that I rarely use. I don’t even know how to check to voice mail on my phone, which is probably my passive aggressiveness shining through.
What bothers me most is my husband’s use of the phone. He has a (work provided) treo now, and he is on it, talking or emailing, ALL THE TIME. Granted, it’s usually work stuff, but why does he have to be working at 8pm? A few short years ago, at the same job, he would rarely be on a work call after 6. BUt now, he is a slave to that phone. Bugs the living shit out of me.
I can’t stand it when people answer their phones during dinner. Or if one goes off during a lecture. Don’t get me started on cell phones and driving.
Christina,
This post is very timely for me, and I couldn’t agree with you more. A few days ago, I went to a local playground with my kids. I walked in, and immediately noted AT LEAST six moms, all talking on their cell phones. Some were just sitting on a bench (ok) and some were pushing their kids on the swings. The thing that bothered me was there was an inability to socialize with either their child, or other moms. And, I had to sit there and listen to a conversation about how her job sucks, how her husband is lazy, how so and so did such and such….. while this woman chatted away to a girlfriend on her cell phone. It was very annoying. I do have a cell phone. But I use it sparingly, and NEVER within ear shot of other people. It is just basic courtesy in my opinion. Great post.
See now, you were at the evil McDonalds! What did you expect?
Personally, I’m not sure how I survived befor TIVO.
I couldn’t agree more. I hate my cell phone. I have it for emergencies and the “what do you need at the store” calls. The only people who have the number are my family and my husband. Thankfully, all of them hate phones as much as I do.
I tend to make really rude comments to people who are gabbing away on their cell phones while in the movies/at dinner/in a store. Shut UP and put your phone away. You are not that important and you really look like an asshole.
I am not addicted, per se. However, The Hubby and I don’t even have a home phone, as it costs too much money for something we would never use. So our cell phones become the only way for the world to contact us. Thus, I get lots of important calls while I’m out and about. I usually don’t take them unless they are urgent or they are from a close friend or family member who understands my need to put them on hold to do other things. I will admit, I’m guilty of talking on the phone in the bathroom, public or not. I only do it to a choice few people (my sister and my husband) and I always tell them first, so if they’re disguisted, they can hang up!
Yes, we love them, we hate them. Good post.
I hate slow cell phone drivers. But I guess that’s better than if they were to drive fast.
But the saddest thing to me seems to be the teens I see walking around the mall or wherever, and they are with a friend but on the phone with another friend (or so it sounds). How would you like to be either friend? Ugh! And when these teens grow up….
I don’t even have a cell phone!! Oh, how am I still living?? They should do medical research on me. LOL.
OOOOOHH, I am totally with you on this one. I hate it when people talk on their cell phones when they are supposed to be in a convesation with me. I was at the movie the other night – Barnyard – and this man’s cell phone started ringing. he answered it and had a full conversation for about 5 minutes! people were trying to get him to stop but he continued talking. Idiot! I have one, but I am very aware of making sure it is turned off and I rarely use it anyway – emergencies only.
I have a cell. Only for emergencies or something. I never talk while driving. That drives me nuts!
I do hate them, but they are really convenient at times.
SUCH a great post! Although I am ashamedly raising my hand here as one who has taken calls from the loo. Guilty. I know, I suck.
People survive through adaptability. Once a person is not able to adapt to his or her sorroundings, he is not able to survive. Carry on early civilization, they lived long because they knew how to adapt and knew how to deal with it.
I have a cell phone for work but have set boundries with it. Before my son was born and I worked in advertising I had clients that WERE a cell phone company and so believed that made me accessible 24/7. And they would call at all hours with work requests. Just like that scene out of Devil Wears Prada. It was so awful. When I left for mat leave I had the option to keep the phone and I gave it back. I didn’t get another one until I went back to work and now the number is distributed sparingly.
I think I am a moderate user. I try not to talk in stores… I hate being “that lady” blabbing away and running into people. I try not to talk while I am driving…but that happens too.
My husband is “that loud guy” on his cell phone. Whereever he is.. a store, restaurant, a cornfield, etc….he is SCREAMING into the the phone. I just walk away and act like he is not with me. SO emarassing.
I swear you were in my brain the other day! We were at Six Flags and there were millions of cell phone addicts. Most of them were between the ages of 17 and 23. I know more about the people at GA than I do about my own family. one girl was on her cell the entire time we were in line for the Super Man ride, which was an hour and 5 minutes. And the worst part is she then asked her friend to call someone else on her phone and then proceed to talk to two people on two phones at the same time. I was almost sick of listening to her and then finally got on our ride!
I think the thing I hate most, is some of the conversations people have, they forget that their in public and other people can hear there conversations, I don’t want to hear the intimate details of your sex life, or about your gynecologist(sp?) appointment whilst I’m standing behind you in the grocery store, I think cell phones are breeding bad manners.
I was just at the mall and was noticing that everyone, I mean everyone, had a cell phone attached to their ear. It’s sad. I don’t know what’s worse – to see a 10 year old with a cell phone, as self-important as a 40 year old executive, or a group of 4 teenage girls all talking to other people on their phones.