If I’m out with a couple of friends, I rarely answer my phone or respond to text messages unless it’s another mutual friend and I’m sharing the conversation with the people I’m with because they might find it interesting.
On a date, I would never answer my phone unless it was a family member calling repeatedly, then I’d assume there was some sort of emergency.
Not too long ago I went on a semi-date with a girl who was texting practically the whole time. Needless to say I haven’t talked to her since.
I general my attitude is, “Your shit ain’t that important that people need to be able to reach you every second of the day, so stop pretending like it is.”
[quote]Charles Staley wrote:
I’m probably dating myself with this comment, but I always find it hilarious to see 4-5 kids in a group, out at the mall for example…and every one of them is talking or texting someone else on their cell!
[/quote]
I’m only 19 and I find it hilarious as well. The funny thing is they are all probably texting their parents to see what time they are getting picked up.
Ahhh…interesting…so in other words, the pretense of being on the phone is that it makes you look popular/important…am I getting close?
[quote]jtrinsey wrote:
Charles Staley wrote:
I’m probably dating myself with this comment, but I always find it hilarious to see 4-5 kids in a group, out at the mall for example…and every one of them is talking or texting someone else on their cell!
I’m only 19 and I find it hilarious as well. The funny thing is they are all probably texting their parents to see what time they are getting picked up.[/quote]
I carry mine pretty much 24/7 because of my job. While I’m not on call all the time, I do get calls from clients all hours. One thing most folks seem to forget is that your phone should have caller ID and youc an see onteh outer scren who it is. If you recognize the number, if it’s not a must answer situation and you’re in public, then don’t answer it.
The bigger issue:
Where is it writen that if someone calls, you MUST answer? And that once one the phone, you must engage in the conversation and can’t simply say, “can’t talk. goodbye.” and hang up?
[quote]jtrinsey wrote:
Charles Staley wrote:
I’m probably dating myself with this comment, but I always find it hilarious to see 4-5 kids in a group, out at the mall for example…and every one of them is talking or texting someone else on their cell!
I’m only 19 and I find it hilarious as well. The funny thing is they are all probably texting their parents to see what time they are getting picked up.[/quote]
I’ve seen couples who do this as well.
There’s also a few idiots around here who hold the cell phone directly at their mouths while speaking, then place the speaker back onto their ear to listen. Mostly young gansta wannabes.
[quote]lawsonsamuels wrote:
I carry mine pretty much 24/7 because of my job. While I’m not on call all the time, I do get calls from clients all hours. One thing most folks seem to forget is that your phone should have caller ID and youc an see onteh outer scren who it is. If you recognize the number, if it’s not a must answer situation and you’re in public, then don’t answer it.
The bigger issue:
Where is it writen that if someone calls, you MUST answer? And that once one the phone, you must engage in the conversation and can’t simply say, “can’t talk. goodbye.” and hang up?
[/quote]
Its written right under the section where it says you have to ask “Where you at?”
True story, a guy that I know works in the real estate business. A few years ago he hiked the Appalachian Trail and through all his thinking and pondering on the trail, he decided to get rid of his cell phone when he got back. So now, with prospective business associates, conversations sometimes go like this…
Associate: Okay, so whats your cell phone number so I can get a hold of you when you’re out of the office?
My friend: I don’t have a cell phone.
A: What do you mean you don’t have a cell phone? How are people going to get a hold of you when you’re not in the office?
MF: Leave a message at the office, I’ll call you back when I get in.
A: Well that doesn’t make sense.
MF: Neither does doing business with you.
END of conversation.
Also, what the fuck is the deal with the Nextel walkie-talkies?!?!
First of all, the chirp is loud as fuck and secondly, the sound quality is horrible. What is so bad about a normal telephone conversation for these people that they have to chirp back and forth with shitty voice quality that everybody around them can hear.
I would honestly like to hear the opinion of someone that uses one of these and why they use it.
[quote]chrismcl wrote:
Also, what the fuck is the deal with the Nextel walkie-talkies?!?!
First of all, the chirp is loud as fuck and secondly, the sound quality is horrible. What is so bad about a normal telephone conversation for these people that they have to chirp back and forth with shitty voice quality that everybody around them can hear.
I would honestly like to hear the opinion of someone that uses one of these and why they use it.[/quote]
But…they make really cool commercials with Fat Joe and random pro basketball players in them. Surely I could be just as cool by using the same phone…and chewing my Lebron James Bubblicious Bubblegum, wearing my Air Jordans, a throwback jersey and my spinning “bling bling” hubcap waist long platinum (silver) chain on. Right?
My wife and I were waiting once at the INS (now USCIS) in Atlanta. There were huge signs all over the room saying “Turn off cell phones”, or something to that effect. This idiot gets a call and starts talking loudly about going golfing. After a minute or so an INS worker asks him to leave. So he stands out in the hall, talking even louder so everyone can hear him anyway, complaining that “these assholes kicked me out of the room”, then continuing with his inane golf conversation. His wife or finacee (mail-order bride, I would guess) just sat there looking embarrassed.
[quote]chrismcl wrote:
Also, what the fuck is the deal with the Nextel walkie-talkies?!?!
[/quote]
These piss me off to no end. Especially when I’m trying to eat a meal, and some jackass is screaming into his “walkie-talkie.” Then I get the pleasure of hearing gibberish from the other end, also at top volume.
[quote]Charles Staley wrote:
Ahhh…interesting…so in other words, the pretense of being on the phone is that it makes you look popular/important…am I getting close?
[/quote]
I’m not quite sure. I must not be popular/important enough!
Its written right under the section where it says you have to ask “Where you at?”[/quote]
Is that also the same section where it specifies that the weaker your signal stength, the louder you should talk to make up for it, especially if in a public place?.
[quote]apayne wrote:
I have gotten in huge fights with girlfriends/dates about this before. I think it is extremely rude.[/quote]
Yeah, I think females engage in this far more than men do. It may be a means to convey to males in their vicinity (even their date) that they have other social options. A way of communicating high status.
[quote]chrismcl wrote:
Also, what the fuck is the deal with the Nextel walkie-talkies?!?!
First of all, the chirp is loud as fuck and secondly, the sound quality is horrible. What is so bad about a normal telephone conversation for these people that they have to chirp back and forth with shitty voice quality that everybody around them can hear.
I would honestly like to hear the opinion of someone that uses one of these and why they use it.[/quote]
My wife works for nextel and we have the phones with the walkie talkie feature. I must say that I like it. It is easier to use than having my phone glued to my head. I can still drive at least.
You are right though it is annoying hearing the chirp all the time. If I am in a place where it is loud and noisy, it doesn’t make sense to use it because you can’t hear very well anyway. You have to turn the volume up so high that it sounds like crap.
I would also add that prettier-than-average women are worse abusers than plain ones. The plain ones are grateful for whatever one-on-one attention they’re receiving.
I hate when people are inconsiderate of the cell phone use at the movie theater. “Hello, hey man I am at the movie right now! yeah it is pretty good, you should come down here and see it” WTF are you doing on the phone at the theater anyway?
Or how about the gym? when some asshole is sitting at the bench or station you want to use and is just chatting it up.
They should ban cell phone usage in pubic places like they do smoking.
I am actually guilty of this one. I have sent a text or two to my girlfriend when we are in a public setting to say things to her that I don’t want heard by the other people around us. There is nothing wrong with this in my opinion, as long as it is one or two messages.
Its usually gossip or info about our company that she should know, or hey when do you wanna leave, that sort of thing. Things that should be kept in private. I find it extremely rude to be with company asking your other about leaving, it conveys a message of we dont care about your company.
As a female, I have to say women in general are much worse with this. Does it convey some kind of social status perhaps? Except maybe in the gym, where all the cool guys are on their phones.
I personally think it is extremely rude to answer your phone, especially in a one-on-one setting, I would probably just leave!! I carry my phone at all times for business, but would rarely answer it. I have to agree the law that you have to answer your phone just because someone is calling is total bull-shit, use your social radar to decide if it is appropriate, then take action. People these days are so caught up in their own affairs that they wouldn’t even notice how rude they are being. Personally, the ignore button is my favorite button, 90% of phone calls do not need to be taken right then & there, bottom line.