Comments on: I want to evolve to not hear the cell phone

By: greg

greg — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:34:47 +0000

Some loud talkers are very sensitive about these types of public issues; hold your fingers in your ears while staring at them or shush them to trigger appropriate behavior.

By: Sky

Sky — Sat, 02 May 2009 21:14:07 +0000

I love Solomon’s comment – yes the younger set is texting. And those of us in the older set who have smartphones are also texting or emailing. In fact the reception on my iPhone is SO BAD that I vastly prefer texting and email to a terrible hissing “voice” call.

I also think that people shout on the phone when reception is bad and they are unconsciously trying to compensate for the bad connection even though shouting doesn’t help at all (used to help in my Dad’s day on those old phones, but not on a digital cell phone).

(BTW, Danah, the TypeKey login option for comment authentication is broken.)

By: Brad

Brad — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:25:10 +0000

In a small space I am the same way when comes to be annoyed by cell phone conversations. However, it only bothers me if it is someone I do not know. When I am working in the office at our Chicago Web Design Company I am normally not bothered when a co-worker is having conversation next to me, personal or business.

By: Solomon Freilich

Solomon Freilich — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:13:55 +0000

Huh… I’m 16 & I kind of get the feeling that teens will text on the bus & not make phone calls, and most of the time the somebody making a phone call is an adult. Sure…young people might be learning to block out half conversations but they also might be more courteous – or just like texting…so then again… maybe not.

I think one reason people talk louder on the cell than they would otherwise is because of ambient noise: ambient noise is bothering you, and you don’t know what the effect of it is on the other end of the line, so you talk louder just in case. (I admit I’ve done it myself, and I felt guilty about it cuz it was a waste of phone time anyway.)

I don’t think, though, that you can really limit phone conversations to inside the home. What if a teen wants to have a private conversation (that he’d rather not have his parents overhear)? I’d recommend doing it on a walk with not too many passersby, though. *but I doubt my own opinion there: I have access to that sort of walk, but others might not, so who am I to say that?

Whoever said cheers to prank calling, etc. really makes me sick. *Steve. — I don’t get a very good impression of Steve.

Overall I think you’re overreacting, though I understand where you’re coming from. But then I looked at the date on this post and realized it was the same date and then figured I really shouldn’t bug you for overreacting because as a hardcore blogger it’s your job to overreact.

By: Amy Strecker

Amy Strecker — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 06:41:04 +0000

I wonder if when cell phones are allowed on airplanes, we’ll have the option to pay a $15 charge to sit in the “cell phone free” zone? I think it might be the best $15 I ever spent. I think the cell phone section should be in the four rows nearest to the bathrooms.

I do think there’s a strong tie into generational differences and cultural differences in phone usage. Many of the most offensive cell phone users I’ve seen aren’t young people, but middle aged (and older) users. From my experience, in public places, many young people either opt to text or will return the call later. There are of course many exceptions to this observation.

I also wonder if an individual’s competency in navigating their mobile device makes a difference? Someone who is comfortable texting or emailing from their phone might be more likely to ignore an incoming call or opt to respond to it in a quieter, private way than talking outloud.

The one sided conversation piece also interests me. I need to go read up on it. For me I think it might be that I imagine the other side of the conversation more intriguing than it ever is in real life, so my brain is working through the possibilities coming from the other side of the line.

By: Johnny Zircon

Johnny Zircon — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:21:23 +0000

One thing to remember is that studies have shown (I read up on this when campaigning about noise from airports) that while you may tune the noise out with your conscious mind, your body continues to exhibit the symptoms of noise generated stress, and that stress steadily does you damage.

Avoid noise for a quiet life

By: Pat

Pat — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 04:06:58 +0000

I agree with you so much on this issue! I usually don’t answer my cell phone in public and let it go to my voice mail. The only time I answer if it is my parents (my dad turns 90 this year) and since his stroke over a year ago, I tend to worry that something happened. Once they tell me everything is okay, I ask if I can call them back later. Not only do I not want to subject others to my conversation but it is just downright rude! And if people do feel like they need to have a conversation, I would love to get in their face and tell them to stop yelling and use their indoor voices!

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 01:45:05 +0000

I played in rock and roll bands in the 80s. The cops would come when the neighbors got fed up, so I’ve got history with this noise thing. But since then, I’ve lived in Europe and out in the wilderness and as a result have become more sensitized to my environment. Location, location, location.
Like Brenda, I carry around ear plugs, silicon ones, (like being underwater) just in case I can’t cope with loud Americans. And my Ipod has become a shut-it-out device more often than I care to consider.
But I too think it’s a personal thing and a culture’s relationship to space. I mean we do have lots of space, in the States, even in our cities.
A band practicing, doesn’t bother me , even a bad singer or a beginning violinist are ok, and I could live next to the freeway and tune it out. Certain kinds of people-generated noise get to me. It’s got that personal space invading my personal space feeling. Just this morning at 7 am some guy was sitting on my apartment steps yelling away on his phone, on speaker, so I could also hear the distance voice of his counterpart.

If they allow phones on planes, I’ll complain. I already think there should be a people-with-young-kids section.

More to the social implications though…when you don’t have societal mores, etiquette or legislation, the burden of social policing falls on individuals. I’ve become generally more aggressive living in the States again as a result. I have to deal with a lot of stuff, I don’t think I should have to deal with and so I don’t feel socially obligated to be “polite” when confronting someone’s rudeness. Evil stares and rolling your eyes can be effective. And this morning, I opened my front door and yelled annoyed “Hey would you mind not sitting on my steps and talking so loud, geezus.”

By: Roni Ayalla

Roni Ayalla — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 00:41:09 +0000

Magic in the Air by James Katz that offers several observations as to why half-conversations on the mobile are often more irritating to others than a conversation between two co-present individuals.

One points to ekistics (human settlements). People generally are uncomfortable in urban spaces, and the presence of others is comforting. When those “others” are on their mobile phones (no longer psychologically available), the third-wheel’s sense of protection is denied.

By: Beth Carls

Beth Carls — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 12:27:08 +0000

I hear you. And Nelson commented on the rudeness of Americans and how loud some of them talk on the phone. Here I am at Memorial Park, trying to enjoy the few days one can sit outside without sweating to death (Houston, TX) and here’s a guy who wants everyone outside to hear him – even the golfers several tees away – and I could care less about the leash his wife has around his neck or why he doesn’t like Facebook or Twitter. After about 30 minutes of that and no one is turning around to listen to him, he finally quieted down. What’s a person to do when they’re enjoying nature, enjoying communicating on their laptop, and someone doesn’t know how to talk in their inside/outside voice? Am I attracting this or what? Loud talking people seem to follow me around