Clucking Cellphone Users

Today's post is aboout (ring, ring)... just a sec...

Hello?...

Oh, hi....

I'm busy with something right now, can I call you back?....

Ciao.

Where was I? Oh yeah, the ubiquitous cellphone conversation. They're everywhere. Many people have them. Most others are annoyed by them. True, cellphones have made life easier for many of us. They put us in contact with our companies, customers, families, friends and the occasional wrong number. But to others overhearing those conversations, it's simply a nuisance.

I do not take issue with cellphones themselves, or the convenience that they bring. I take umbrage when I have to listen to someone talking about their personal, medical, or family problems, usually at a high volume. Some cellphone users seem to be oblivious to the fact that anybody within 50 feet can listen in on their conversation. It's not so bad when you're walking down the street, but what about when you're in a store, or on a bus? Especially when you have no option but to stand there and take it. Do I really need to know about the boil on your butt oozing pus? Will my life be better for knowing this information? Or do I have to know that Diane slept with Sam on the first date, and that she is such a sl_t for doing so? I think not.

What about the hazard these people are creating? The people that just continue talking on and on while driving, creating havoc in their wake. Or the fact that they may actually be in the presence of someone and they would rather speak on the phone than converse with the person next to them. Many times, I've seen people carrying on conversations, while they have someone walking right next to them. Is their telephone conversation more engaging than the one they would have with the person right beside them? How about the ultimate. Something I witnessed not too long ago. I saw, through the windows of a car, that both the driver and passenger were talking on their cellphones! And this was on a Sunday night. True story! Aside from the danger posed to other drivers, were they that bored with each other on a Sunday night drive that they felt the need to talk to someone else...anyone else? It boggles the mind.

Yes, cellphones are ubiquitous, and yes, they make our lives easier. I'm sure you can find Miss Manners or other suggestions for cellphone etiquette, but how about I give you some common sense (you would think) tips for cellphone use:

1. When driving, make it quick. If you're driving and you receive or have to make a call, pulling over is the best option. If that's not practical, make it quick. One minute or less should be enough to say I'll call you back, or meet me at such and such a place. Anything longer, wait until you can pull over so you can concentrate on the conversation. Better to be late 5 minutes for an appointment, than to pay $2,000 in car repairs.

2. Be considerate of others. Don't yell into the phone when there are people around you. They're not interested in what you have to say and it just contributes to the noise pollution. Try to talk at a volume where the person on the other end of the conversation can hear you well enough, not that they have to move their handset six inches away from their ear.

3. Leave the gossip for home phone calls. If you want to just spend time on the phone gossiping, or having inane conversations, wait until you get home or are in a private place. Strangers don't want to know about what socks you bought last week, why subject them to the conversation. Better yet, get together with your friend to discuss these things. It's more personal and sociable.

4. Keep cellphone conversations brief, when someone is with you. Terrible faux pas when you'd rather be on the phone than talking with the person next to you. It sends the wrong message. Do you really want that person to know that you would rather be talking someone else? However, I guess that's one way to ditch a "friend," if that's what you want to do.

5. Actually turn off your cellphone, when appropriate. How often have you been in a movie theatre and some idiot's cellphone starts ringing during a crucial moment in the story. And this after the theatre staff reminds everyone to turn off their cellphones, or at least turn off the ringer. Do everyone a favour and turn off the ringer, or the cellphone altogether, during movie, stage productions, or any other event where it would be distracting to those around you.

There you have it. Some quick and simple rules to live by when using cellphones. I'm sure there are a number of others, but at least this is a good start. Being considerate of others means we can all get along.

Now that I'm finished...who was it that called?

Wings Over The World