So true. Using the phone while driving is illegal in this country, but people still do it. Two fatal accidents had high profile news coverage because the guilty parties were either texting or talking on the cell phone while driving. They were sent to jail.
As for rudeness, never travel on a train in Britain. It is unbelievable what you can learn about someone's personal life from their conversations on a cell, usually conducted at a pitch that suggests they're actually shouting to the person in the next carriage.
And as a teacher, I am constantly telling children to turn off their cells when PARENTS are calling them during lessons. What is so important that they have to know now? Usually it's to arrande where to go after school. That can wait until break or lunch surely. I hate this have to do it now attitude pwople have. How did we ever cope before them? Oh yes, we just had to make other arrangements. Or we telephoned the school office and got them to send a note. Sheesh.
I can't even believe the level of thoughtlessness it takes for a parent to call their child during classes! WTF? I mean... you can't wait until lunchtime? They can't do this before school? They can't LEAVE A VOICEMAIL? It's completely baffling.
You know what philosophical point needs to make a comeback to Western society? "Just because you can doesn't mean you should.
The sad thing is, it's like drunk driving. It doesn't seem to matter how many people get hurt-- it doesn't seem to teach anyone anything.
ITA. I use my pay-as-you-go cell phone for emergencies, or urgent situations, like, if my car breaks down on I-95 at night, or I miss the train my husband is expecting to meet. If I need directions while driving, I pull over before calling. It makes me crazy to see people talking away while driving.
It also makes me nuts when people's phones go off during a movie and people answer the phone and start talking instead of turning it off I work at a college. Don't get me started on students refusing to turn off their cell phones in class. A lot of our students are single parents, and they insist they need their phones in case the daycare calls with an emergency. The problem is, it's everyone but the daycare calling, plus, we still have the same emergency contact procedures we had before cell phones: call the Registrar, give the name of the student and the classroom if you know it, and we'll take a message. Provided it's a REAL emergency, not just, can you pick up a quart of milk on the way home
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Exactly! Back when I had one, it was pay as you go as well. And I didn't have it turned on unless I was actually expecting a call. I used the voicemail more than anything.
I wish somebody would invent a blocking device, mount them on cars, and give them to teachers and movie ushers, etc. It won't do anything permanent to people's cellphones, but as long as the car is moving, the movie is running, or class is in session, cells are blocked.
I wish somebody would invent a blocking device, mount them on cars, and give them to teachers and movie ushers, etc. It won't do anything permanent to people's cellphones, but as long as the car is moving, the movie is running, or class is in session, cells are blocked.
I vote nay on this idea simply because when I'm on the cell phone in the car, I'm NOT driving, Vince is. I'm usually conveying directions to him (at least until we can afford a talking GPS unit :) - we're basically never alone in the car, so when the cell rings, either me or one of our kidlings takes the call. If the caller needs to speak to the driver, like Margot (and other safety minded drivers) the driver pulls over, puts the car into "PARK" and then converses. If only everyone behaved properly I could live in my perfect world!
Ah. *ponders* See, this is why I'm not an inventor. I mean, in addition to the whole, "I can't draw and I suck at math" thing. I don't think these things through properly.
I'm right there with ya! I've had friends complain about me not answering my cell several times, and received nothing but blanks looks when I try to explain that I don't feel obligated to be available to the world every second of the day.
It's related to whatever shift makes kids think it's just fine to post embarrassing pictures of themselves, or share their every personal detail on the internet. It's a combination of a lack of thought for others and a lack of boundaries in general. It's weird, and really annoying! Not to mention dangerous!
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As for rudeness, never travel on a train in Britain. It is unbelievable what you can learn about someone's personal life from their conversations on a cell, usually conducted at a pitch that suggests they're actually shouting to the person in the next carriage.
And as a teacher, I am constantly telling children to turn off their cells when PARENTS are calling them during lessons. What is so important that they have to know now? Usually it's to arrande where to go after school. That can wait until break or lunch surely. I hate this have to do it now attitude pwople have. How did we ever cope before them? Oh yes, we just had to make other arrangements. Or we telephoned the school office and got them to send a note. Sheesh.
I heartily concur with your choice..
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You know what philosophical point needs to make a comeback to Western society? "Just because you can doesn't mean you should.
The sad thing is, it's like drunk driving. It doesn't seem to matter how many people get hurt-- it doesn't seem to teach anyone anything.
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It also makes me nuts when people's phones go off during a movie and people answer the phone and start talking instead of turning it off I work at a college. Don't get me started on students refusing to turn off their cell phones in class. A lot of our students are single parents, and they insist they need their phones in case the daycare calls with an emergency. The problem is, it's everyone but the daycare calling, plus, we still have the same emergency contact procedures we had before cell phones: call the Registrar, give the name of the student and the classroom if you know it, and we'll take a message. Provided it's a REAL emergency, not just, can you pick up a quart of milk on the way home ( ... )
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I wish somebody would invent a blocking device, mount them on cars, and give them to teachers and movie ushers, etc. It won't do anything permanent to people's cellphones, but as long as the car is moving, the movie is running, or class is in session, cells are blocked.
If only I were an engineer. *sigh*
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I vote nay on this idea simply because when I'm on the cell phone in the car, I'm NOT driving, Vince is. I'm usually conveying directions to him (at least until we can afford a talking GPS unit :) - we're basically never alone in the car, so when the cell rings, either me or one of our kidlings takes the call. If the caller needs to speak to the driver, like Margot (and other safety minded drivers) the driver pulls over, puts the car into "PARK" and then converses. If only everyone behaved properly I could live in my perfect world!
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I have no fix for your excellent point. *G*
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