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Hoi Polloi wrote:

Speak of the devil, guess what my caller ID says right now. Sigh.

Just say no. Isn't that what caller ID is for?

Oldgringo wrote:

Hoi Polloi wrote:

Speak of the devil, guess what my caller ID says right now. Sigh.

Just say no. Isn't that what caller ID is for?

My favorite approach is:

"Sorry, gtg, being attacked by ninjas!"
*click*

Most people figure it out eventually.

Ha ha ha. I love Caller ID!

She didn't leave a message. Sure sign that there wasn't a point to the call. There's a 99% chance she was in the car--one of the few places she's alone. I wouldn't ride in her car if she was OFF the phone. She's caused some serious accidents and is lucky that she hasn't killed herself or anyone else. She is definitely the kind of person the stereotype of talking and driving is predicated on. Her driving isn't really any different with a phone--like someone above said, she'll daydream instead if she doesn't have it. Having her driving on its own is the scary part.

Charles L. Cotton wrote:Well, I guess I'm going to have to be in the minority on this one.

But...but...but... cell phones *KILL*!!! If we can save just one life, we should ban all cell phones. Well, if we can't get them banned, we'll require that anyone who wants to use a mobile while operating a motor vehicle will have to undergo 10 hours of training, and demonstrate their proficiency in driving while talking on a mobile. They'll have to pay $140 for a license, good for 5 years, and then after that they'll have to go through 5 hours of refresher training before paying another $140 to the state for permission to talk & drive. Oh, and if they are involved in an accident, their license will be suspended or revoked.

The permit holders can then engage in animated discussions about how they're more competent and responsible than the unwashed masses, or conversely that there should be no permits required to talk and drive.

Oh, wait...

Seriously, I agree with you. Banning mobiles is like banning guns. Go after the act (incompetent driving), not the tool that's used to amplify the incompetence. I *would* be okay with greasing the skids to subpoena mobile phone records for any injury accident, and if the guilty party was yapping or texting, increase their penalties.

I got myself kicked off a DUI jury panel for observing that since the Texas DUI law says, 'under 0.08 blood-alcohol OR a typical driver's ability level' (or words to that effect) -- then by that standard, Jeff Gordon or Michael Schumacher could chug a case of beer and still legally drive rings around 99% of the general public. As someone who's been teaching high performance driving at a racetrack for 8 years, and spent a few years racing, I know all too well the disparity between everyone's self-appraisal of their driving abilities and the reality. The corollary is that there *are* really good drivers who can safely multi-task behind the wheel. The anti-cell phone hysteria is rather like denying RKBA to law abiding citizens because some thugs do crimes w a gun...

After the third call today, I finally answered. "Hey, I have a quuuuuestion!"

Turns out the emergency was facebook.

Told her I had to get dinner on the table. "OK, you go do that. HEY! Guess what I found!"

The answers I thought of weren't the most charitable.

I have to agree with Charles. I've never personally had a problem paying attention to what I'm doing while having a conversation. I often write my reports for work while conversing with co-workers, just as I often safely get to my destination while having conversations along the way.

As for talking on the phone in public, I know my livelihood depends on my being accessible 24/7 by phone. I talk to people all the time who cannot fathom how I can stand it, but I've done it for so long, I really dont even think about it anymore. I get calls to come to work at all hours of the day and night, and when the phone rings, I have to answer it. If I choose not to answer it on just that wrong occasion, I will be replaced by someone who will answer. I cannot afford that, so, while it may annoy you for someone out in public to be on the phone, I will answer.

In the event that I am in a restaurant, I will walk outside, and hopefully take care of the problem over the phone instead of having to cut my dinner short. Since I dont frequent the library or funeral homes, anywhere else and I just talk and not worry about it. I find it odd that conversation bothers some people, but I recon it is what it is. Imagine how boring life would be if no one ever had a conversation in public.

I would think part of the problem people have with someone talking on a cell phone is that people seem to think they have to talk very loudly when they are on them. I can see where that would get annoying. Modern technology is quite fascinating. It really can pick up your voice, and relay it clearly to the person on the other end, when talking at a normal volume.

Talking and driving is one thing. Talking and walking is another.
While it might be considered rude by some to be on the phone in public, some people do this as a safety measure. FWIW, the idea is that a lowlife is less likely to attack when the intended victim already has someone on the line and can summon help immediately. So, if you're in a situation that makes you nervous without being quite 911-worthy, you can leave while calling (or pretending to call) someone. I think I've seen it at parks and such.
It's a technique ...

Much interesting input, but little (some, but not much) said regarding forcing the innocent to listen to one sided cell phone conversations.

Having to listen to these abominations while standing in line at the (fill in the blank) or in an elevator (unbelievable) or next to some pinhead's table at a restaurant is excruciating. I know I'm not alone in my response to this now common, ugly phenomenon as friends have relayed to me their own stories of torture along these lines...

Whatever your rationalization (if you're one of THEM) for disturbing the peace with your one sided cell phone conversations in public, understand there's a groundswell of public opinion that you're a pariah. People are sick of listening to your one sided prattle or your lame excuse that you just have to have a one sided bleat in their presence, cuz hey, it's an important call. Public nuisances are just that and if you think your cell phone equates to your office - your wrong.

Use your cell phone outside of other people's earshot.

Use some common courtesy!

Arrggghhhh!

Abraham wrote: Use your cell phone outside of other people's earshot.

Use some common courtesy!

Arrggghhhh!

I agree, also, if you would not mind, Please refrain from speaking to anyone, present in person, or on the other end of a phone.,, You are very annoying to those of us near you forced to listen to you talk.. About anything, for any reason.. You’re really pretty boring anyway.
Also, please do not start your car,, it too is annoying, Please push that car to a privet location out of ear shot.. Thanks..

Oh and.. If you could refrain from typing anything that would help as well. My computer makes a noise every time a new email or text is received.. It’s very annoying.. I’d ask that you only text, type, or talk where it can be done out of earshot for all other parties.

Thanks

This ridiculous utterance is brought to you in a like manner in which I view the majority of those opposed to the use of a mobile communication device… nonsense and a wast of effort.

Abraham wrote:Much interesting input, but little (some, but not much) said regarding forcing the innocent to listen to one sided cell phone conversations.

Having to listen to these abominations while standing in line at the (fill in the blank) or in an elevator (unbelievable) or next to some pinhead's table at a restaurant is excruciating. I know I'm not alone in my response to this now common, ugly phenomenon as friends have relayed to me their own stories of torture along these lines...

Whatever your rationalization (if you're one of THEM) for disturbing the peace with your one sided cell phone conversations in public, understand there's a groundswell of public opinion that you're a pariah. People are sick of listening to your one sided prattle or your lame excuse that you just have to have a one sided bleat in their presence, cuz hey, it's an important call. Public nuisances are just that and if you think your cell phone equates to your office - your wrong.

Use your cell phone outside of other people's earshot.

Use some common courtesy!

Arrggghhhh!

With THEM, it's all about ME.

If you talk on a phone in public, your conversation is public. Don't complain about anything other people do or say that can be heard by the person on the other end of your phone call. If you want privacy or quiet, take the call in private.

Bart wrote:If you talk on a phone in public, your conversation is public. Don't complain about anything other people do or say that can be heard by the person on the other end of your phone call. If you want privacy or quiet, take the call in private.

Who needs a cell jammer when you can have an Airzound?

Though I have to admit I've been tempted to put a GaleForce Blaster in the yard and run the switch wire into the house for the people who roll the stop sign while doing pretty much anything you can imagine except talking on the phone. Strangely, the talkers seem to be the only ones stopping.

I can't believe this thread has gone to 4 pages!

Chas.

Charles L. Cotton wrote:I can't believe this thread has gone to 4 pages!
Chas.

Apparently constantly posting on the Forum is as popular as constantly talking on the cell phone.

Even though Abraham brought it up in his original post, I think the thread got sidetracked with the topic of talking on cellphones while driving. Most everyone has an opinion on that subject.

Even though there are no cellphones involved in this example, the theme of obnoxious conversations in public reminds me of this scene from "Annie Hall" when Woody Allen brings in Marshall McLuhan at the end of the clip.

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=OpIYz8tfGjY[/youtube]

Hoi Polloi wrote:After the third call today, I finally answered. "Hey, I have a quuuuuestion!"

Have you tried telling her you're on the toilet...then going into detail if she doesn't get the hint?