Advocacy & Safety - Cell phones

Hey there,

Well, another frustrating ride. Normally I stick to the seawall and bike paths but I have to do some cycling on the road to get there.

I cannot believe how many people drive while using cell phones and you really have to be careful around them because they are simply not paying full attention to the road. I know this is not a new issue so I guess I am ranting a bit but I can't count the number of times I have been cut off, backed into or swerved into by a car when the driver is on the phone.

Today I decided to run some errands by bus and no kidding - there were four people using their cell phones on the bus. At least they weren't driving but what is so important that you can't even go for a 10 minute bus ride without using a phone !! At least they weren't driving I thought until I heard the bus driver's cell phone ring and he was on it for a good 5 minutes while driving..arghhhhhh !!!

okay...rant over....sorry...just had to get that off my chest.

Thanks for listening,

Justen

I agree completely. It seems that everyone is on the phone all the time anymore ... and especially when they are in their cars. Tucson's drivers have to be some of the worst on the planet, give them all cell phones and they get no better, it's scary to ride down there at times.

The thing that really gets me though is the people on the cell phone at the grocery store. Running into each other and merchandise with their carts and not caring in the least. I saw someone knock over an entire display stand of oreos the other day with her cart and she didn't even look at it, just kept going and talking on her phone. Certainly there was some overdriven car in the parking lot waiting for her to come drive it like she controlled her shopping cart.

Originally posted by Ba-Dg-Er
I agree completely. It seems that everyone is on the phone all the time anymore ... and especially when they are in their cars. Tucson's drivers have to be some of the worst on the planet, give them all cell phones and they get no better, it's scary to ride down there at times.

The thing that really gets me though is the people on the cell phone at the grocery store. Running into each other and merchandise with their carts and not caring in the least. I saw someone knock over an entire display stand of oreos the other day with her cart and she didn't even look at it, just kept going and talking on her phone. Certainly there was some overdriven car in the parking lot waiting for her to come drive it like she controlled her shopping cart.

I am glad that they are starting to ban phones from restaurants and theaters. I find it incredibly annoying to have to listen to the phone when I am trying to get away from work related stuff.

And yeah, people in supermarkets who can't pay attention and don't bother saying excuse me to get by you because they are on the phone and just think you'll move if they push by.

I think alot of it has to do with a sense of self-importance that these people seem to need..they want to know that they can't go anywhere without somebody needing or missing them or are just totally insecure.

Ah well....I just hope they keep extending those cell phone bans to give the rest of us some peace - and safety !

Justen

For some unknown reason, people have been conditioned to stop everything to talk to whoever has called. Then you are to ignore everyone and everything around them. That is the most aggravating thing in the world. Go to a busy LBS and pay attention to haw many times you are interupped because the phone rang. Auto parts stores are even worse. This habit has carried over into cell phone usage.

Can someone please give a rational explaination for this?

I will never understand being reprioritized behind someone on the phone when I am standing inside a store. Oftern times this causes me just to leave ... if the store is more interested in getting customers into the store then it is retaining the customer's that are already there I am happy to take my business elsewhere.

As for a rational explaination ... I have none. I understand that a customer on the phone is a customer no matter how you look at it, but there has to be a better way of doing business then to make the instore customer feel insignificant.

I think it ought to be against the law for people to talk on the cell phone while driving. It bugs the hell outa me to see people walking around stores jabbering on their cell phones or talking on their phones and disturbing others while eating at restaurants.

I have a cell phone, but I at least am courteous when using it!

A little off the topic, but not really-

I just finished watching a Chicago news report- a woman was waiting for the train on the platform at State and Lake waiting for the Brown line train, when she apparently got distracted from talking on her cellphone and walked right off the platform just as the train was pulling up. She died under the train, despite the efforts of 25 firemen and many police vehicles. In the meantime, thousands of commuters were thrown into chaos as they searched for alternatives home. This was during the start of rush hour, and it continued all through rush hour, so it was terrible- plus a major intersection in Chicago.

I'm sure something terrible will happen one day because some non-thinking individual will be on a cellphone not paying attention.

Do you think that woman's phone call was THAT important now?

Sad...

Originally posted by Koffee Brown
Do you think that woman's phone call was THAT important now?

That really is too bad. One would hope that it would open people's minds to the fact that a cell phone and the conversations they offer really aren't that important and are merely a diversion from that which we should be focused on.

What a saddening news story ... and a horrific thing for family and friends of hers to go through. Although her priorities weren't what I would call in order, I still extend thoughts and prayers to her family.

I agree, as cell phones have taken over our culture... When we are driving, we should not talk on phones, we are just in such a hurry these days that people always have their priorities messed up, almost causing accidents. Maybe we will be lucky and phones will be banned while people are driving.

Originally posted by Justen

[big snip]
I heard the bus driver's cell phone ring and he was on it for a good 5 minutes while driving..arghhhhhh !!!

okay...rant over....sorry...just had to get that off my chest.

Thanks for listening,

Justen

If the driver of a bus was talking on a cell phone while driving, you should report him to the bus company and to any city, county, or state transportation agency that might have regulatory control over the bus company. A bus driver is responsible for the safety of the passengers on the bus and should never deliberately compromise that safety. Passengers on a bus do not have to accept dangerous behavior from the driver.

Around here cell/mobile phones are banned from being used while driving. However there are two problems with this:

1. We need a much bigger police force than we actually have to make this work (like most other laws, really)

2. They still allow people to use "hand's free" kits while they drive, which is just as bad in my view. People can still be distracted no matter which hand they have on the steering wheel.

To be honest, I once had a cell phone, but I got rid of it about five years ago, and I have no intention of ever getting another. I really don't see the point. It's not like missing one phone call is going to be the end of the world. Heck, if someone rings my home phone when I'm doing something else, chances are I won't bother to answer it.

I don't see why people have to allow themselves to be a slave to something like this and can't just get on with their lives and focus on what they're doing.

I understand why people wish to ban certain things. However, I believe that an enlightened society has and needs fewer laws. So what does it say that year by year our societies have enacted more and more laws? OTOH I also believe what Tommy Lee Jones said in Men In Black.
A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky, dangerous animals and you know it. I would rather see society more enlightened and smarter about things as a whole rather than to see the list of banned things increased but maybe that's too much to hope for.

Originally posted by khuon
I understand why people wish to ban certain things. However, I believe that an enlightened society has and needs fewer laws.

An enlightened society does need fewer laws. But do we really live in an enlightened society? I, for one, do not believe we do. As a consequence, I believe we need laws for that very reason. The fact that people talk on their phones when they should be concentrating on something as potentially dangerous (both to themselves and to others) as driving proves my point. We are not an enlightened society.

Chris L, I wish I had your attitude about a ringing phone. I have spent most of my adult life on 24-hour call, and just now have gotten to the point where I don't lunge for the phone when it rings. I was so bad, I had a hard time listen to a phone ring at someone else's house, or on TV.

In the US, cell phones distracting drivers is the third greatest (?) cause of accidents. The company I work for, even though we live (& die) by the phone has banned cell phone use while driving.

I think we are far from an enlightened society. The vast, swarming mass of people care only for themselves, are incredibly short-sighted, and can't even begin to consider the consequences of their actions. Hell, look at the way they drive & eat.

I can't carry a cellphone. It would be almost as big as I am (if you didn't count my hair)!

:rolleyes:

I think that some people think that they have to be yacking on their cell in order to start their car. Perhaps some education is in order? :D

Originally posted by Chris L
Around here cell/mobile phones are banned from being used while driving. However there are two problems with this:

1. We need a much bigger police force than we actually have to make this work (like most other laws, really)

2. They still allow people to use "hand's free" kits while they drive, which is just as bad in my view. People can still be distracted no matter which hand they have on the steering wheel.

To be honest, I once had a cell phone, but I got rid of it about five years ago, and I have no intention of ever getting another. I really don't see the point. It's not like missing one phone call is going to be the end of the world. Heck, if someone rings my home phone when I'm doing something else, chances are I won't bother to answer it.

I don't see why people have to allow themselves to be a slave to something like this and can't just get on with their lives and focus on what they're doing.

I agree..the hands free kit is just as bad. It is still a distraction. It's weird, now you see people walking around on the street looking at first like they are having a really animated conversation with themselves until you see the headsets.
I just think it's sad that people cannot even do something like go for a coffee or take a break without NEEDING to have a phone with them. They are pretty much slaves to the phone. Again, I think there is also an element of self importance - like "look at me, everybody needs me all the time so I can't go anywhere without my cell phone...."

I honestly do find it very annoying - especially on the bus. Now when people answer their phones on the bus, I turn around and look at them like I am listening to their conversation. I know it might be considered rude but sure enough, within a minute or two, they will lower their voice, turn away from me, and then end the call. One women said "do you mind, this is a private phone call"
to which I replied:
"Then I suggest you make the call in a private place..not on a public bus". She got all flustered and left the bus.

Like I said, I figure if they have no qualms about disturbing me on anotherwise quite bus ride, I have no problem trying to deter them from using their phone.

Justen

Originally posted by Chris L
An enlightened society does need fewer laws. But do we really live in an enlightened society? I, for one, do not believe we do. As a consequence, I believe we need laws for that very reason. The fact that people talk on their phones when they should be concentrating on something as potentially dangerous (both to themselves and to others) as driving proves my point. We are not an enlightened society.

I agree with Chris - again ! :-)
People have proven that they are not able to drive safely while talking on the phone and since they seem incapable of making that judgement themselves, the rest of society has to step and and create new laws to protect everybody else.

I have noticed that some newspaper articles now (regarding car accidents) will state that the driver was using a cell phone when the accident occured and is being charged for failure to pay due care and attention etc.

I don't think we are an enlightened society - if we were, people would understand the potential consequences of their actions and not do them anymore.

Justen

Originally posted by A.troll
I can't carry a cellphone. It would be almost as big as I am (if you didn't count my hair)!

:rolleyes:

What ?? I don't understand why you say weird things like this. Is it supposed to be funny ?

There are two intersections here in Philadelphia that are on the State Farm Top 10 Most Dangerous Intersections in the US. This list is based not only on the number of accidents, but how many of them resulted in fatalities. It's no coincidence that these intersections creeped even higher on the list in the past few years while cell phone use has gotten out of control.

It's getting very dangerous around these parts to even cross the street, let alone drive a car or (gasp!) ride a bike. These people have the nerve to look at me like I'm the scourge of the road. Meanwhile they're busy talking on the phone, cutting each other off, and causing severe and fatal wrecks.

To A Troll,

I'm sorry...I didn't understand your joke at first. My apologies for coming off like I did.

Justen

Here's the news story about the woman who died in Chicago yesterday:


Woman dies in `L' tracks fall
60,000 commuters affected as CTA shuffles trains

Death on the Loop (Tribune photo by Charles Osgood)
June 19, 2003

By Gayle Worland and Grace Aduroja
Tribune staff reporters
Published June 20, 2003

A woman was killed after falling onto the tracks and into the path of a CTA Brown Line train Thursday afternoon at the State and Lake stop, halting service to one of the busiest elevated routes and affecting an estimated 60,000 rush hour commuters.

Circumstances surrounding the death of Ethel Moore, 77, of Bellwood, were still under investigation by Harrison Area police, officials said.

"Preliminary indications show it was an accident," said Sheila Gregory, a CTA spokeswoman. The woman appeared to have been adjusting a handbag on her shoulder when she lost her balance and fell from the "L" platform, Gregory said.

Firefighters undertook a complex and painstaking 2 1/2-hour effort to lift the wheels of the 30-ton train off the woman's body.

Officials had to assure that power in the electric train lines was completely shut down before firefighters could climb onto the tracks, officials said. The train was alternately lifted and set down several times during the recovery process using 20-ton jacks, air bags and wood shoring.

Recovery workers had the added challenge of working on elevated tracks and shielding the "terrible scene" from crowds of onlookers below, said Deputy District Chief Patrick Brennan.

"It was a very difficult extrication," said Battalion Chief Richard Dory.

Passengers were evacuated from the train immediately following the 4:20 p.m. accident and power was shut down on the elevated train between the State and Lake and Clark and Lake elevated train stops. Bus shuttles set up by the CTA transported the stranded Brown, Purple, Orange and Green Line passengers at the stop to other points on the "L" that were still operating.

Normal service was restored by 8 p.m.

Some 60,000 of the 100,000 commuters who use CTA rail lines at that hour were probably affected by the power shutdown, Gregory said.

One witness interviewed by police, Kathy Rivera of Melrose Park, told reporters she was walking along the "L" platform behind the victim when the woman apparently lost her balance. The woman had a hand up to the side of her head, as if she might have been talking on a cell phone, Rivera said.

Police investigators said no cell phone was found, and other witnesses indicated the woman was adjusting a shoulder purse or bag.

Rivera said the woman was walking at an angle toward the edge of the platform as the train was approaching. "I don't think she was trying to hurt herself," said Rivera. "I think she lost her balance."

Rivera, a concession stand manager at both Wrigley Field and U.S. Cellular Field, was waiting to catch a Green Line train when the accident occurred.

Southbound auto traffic on State Street was halted and northbound traffic was limited to a few cars and buses as a dozen emergency vehicles clustered in the area of the "L" station.

The woman was seen slipping off the platform by the train's operator, who alerted the CTA control center, Gregory said.

"The reports are that the rail operator saw the woman fall, and it was too late. There was nothing he could do," she said. The train, coming to a normal stop at the station, was traveling at about 5 m.p.h, she said.

During the recovery effort, the lead car of the six-car train was mostly obscured from view from the street by metal railings and a metal awning above the staircase that leads to the platform.

"It was just a very, very tragic accident," Gregory said.

I have this friend. . . he once answered his cell phone while riding a bike. . . but all he heard was, SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. So, he took the advice and hung up.

He let me post this only after promising that I wouldn't reveal my, er, I mean his, identity.

Tragic story, Koffee!

A lady knocked me off I40 several years ago. I was the only one on the road besides her AND I could see her in my peripheral vision. No blind spots. Things happened so fast that I'm not sure, but I think she was holding a cell phone to the left side of her face and decided she needed to be exactly where I was in the left lane :D Boy that was a fun time. Another time (...at band camp...) I saw this car way ahead of me drifting in and out of the lane causing other cars to swerve all over and just get the hell away from her. I thought she was drunk, but when I got right behind her, she was holding a cell phone with her left hand and reaching for something on the passenger side floor board with her right. She was reaching so far her head was dissappearing from sight. Looked like an empty car careening down the street.

That was just dangerous, but I can't for the life of me think of any logical reason that someone talking on a cell phone in an open public place, on a bus, places where they aren't interacting with anyone else or making them wait for their conversation to be finished could possibly be any of my business. If they had another person next to them having a conversation I wouldn't get miffed. Maybe those who get annoyed just can't stand to not hear the other side of the conversation?? :p If it's silent and someone's yapping away, yeah it's odd, but if you're not in a library, no one's studying or trying to work, so what? I got enough business to keep me wired without concerning myself with things that don't involve me :D We did decide, however, that when someone walks into our office on a cell phone we wouldn't acknowledge them until they finished. There were so many people who came in and shoved stacks of paper in front of our faces without so much as looking at us or pausing. Ha! oh yeah..last story.. I was sitting in an airport and this man was talking SO loudly on a cell phone. He was VERY gay and animated and telling us all about his boyfriend!! I thought,hell..good for him he's so comfortable with it, but then had to fight laughter when I started checking out the faces on people around him! hehe It was great.
Okay I think I'm done :p Time to find something else to pass time..

I was sitting in a parking lot waiting for my daughter to get out of her dance class. The parking lot is by a high school. Two teenage girls were walking home side by side. Each were talking on their cell phones. I first thought... how sad when they could be talking to each other. Then I thought.... oh no, what if they were? :D

I carry a cellphone when I ride. It's an insurance policy more than anything else.

The other day I saw a guy driving a pickup. He was holding a cellphone against his ear with his shoulder. He was writing a note on the center of the steering column. He was steering with his elbows. He scared the hell out of me.

Koffee's post about the woman who died on the L tracks is a sad reminder of just how distracting cellphones are. Everybody needs to hang up and drive.

I, too, get annoyed at seeing people in restaurants and stores yakking on the phone. It's just middle-aged grumpiness on my part. It doesn't hurt me in any way...it just annoys me. I really hate hearing a phone ring in a theater however. That is just rude.


Originally posted by A.troll
I can't carry a cellphone. It would be almost as big as I am (if you didn't count my hair)!

:rolleyes:

Good news, Trollie! They are doing terrific things with miniaturization of electronics. This little Buddhist monk sits on my desk and he has a cellphone. Maybe you could get one like his and then everything will be Zen.


Edit: miniAturization! I kin spel gud!

Originally posted by RegularGuy
Good news, Trollie! They are doing terrific things with miniturization of electronics.
You got that right. These cell phones are small enough to swallow!

Originally posted by Jeepbikerun
Two teenage girls were walking home side by side. Each were talking on their cell phones. I first thought... how sad when they could be talking to each other. Then I thought.... oh no, what if they were? :D

That gag was used in the movie "Clueless" w/Alicia Silverstone. In the opening scene, as I recall.

I think the Germans have it right - It's against the law to eat, drink, talk on the phone and perhaps even to smoke, while driving. Granted their highway speeds are up there, but they realize that you can't do all these things and be expected to keep your giant go-cart on the road.
I'm starting to see walkers, roller bladers and yes even bikers talking on cell phones and it's just as bad. There off in some other mental planet, wondering all over the path as I come up on them praying for my life... All I can do is jack on the brakes and yell - "On your left" and hope they catch a clue before they catch my tire in the rear...

what does this have to do with cell phones??


Originally posted by Koffee Brown
Here's the news story about the woman who died in Chicago yesterday:


Woman dies in `L' tracks fall
60,000 commuters affected as CTA shuffles trains

Death on the Loop (Tribune photo by Charles Osgood)
June 19, 2003

By Gayle Worland and Grace Aduroja
Tribune staff reporters
Published June 20, 2003

A woman was killed after falling onto the tracks and into the path of a CTA Brown Line train Thursday afternoon at the State and Lake stop, halting service to one of the busiest elevated routes and affecting an estimated 60,000 rush hour commuters.

Circumstances surrounding the death of Ethel Moore, 77, of Bellwood, were still under investigation by Harrison Area police, officials said.

"Preliminary indications show it was an accident," said Sheila Gregory, a CTA spokeswoman. The woman appeared to have been adjusting a handbag on her shoulder when she lost her balance and fell from the "L" platform, Gregory said.

Firefighters undertook a complex and painstaking 2 1/2-hour effort to lift the wheels of the 30-ton train off the woman's body.

Officials had to assure that power in the electric train lines was completely shut down before firefighters could climb onto the tracks, officials said. The train was alternately lifted and set down several times during the recovery process using 20-ton jacks, air bags and wood shoring.

Recovery workers had the added challenge of working on elevated tracks and shielding the "terrible scene" from crowds of onlookers below, said Deputy District Chief Patrick Brennan.

"It was a very difficult extrication," said Battalion Chief Richard Dory.

Passengers were evacuated from the train immediately following the 4:20 p.m. accident and power was shut down on the elevated train between the State and Lake and Clark and Lake elevated train stops. Bus shuttles set up by the CTA transported the stranded Brown, Purple, Orange and Green Line passengers at the stop to other points on the "L" that were still operating.

Normal service was restored by 8 p.m.

Some 60,000 of the 100,000 commuters who use CTA rail lines at that hour were probably affected by the power shutdown, Gregory said.

One witness interviewed by police, Kathy Rivera of Melrose Park, told reporters she was walking along the "L" platform behind the victim when the woman apparently lost her balance. The woman had a hand up to the side of her head, as if she might have been talking on a cell phone, Rivera said.

Police investigators said no cell phone was found, and other witnesses indicated the woman was adjusting a shoulder purse or bag.

Rivera said the woman was walking at an angle toward the edge of the platform as the train was approaching. "I don't think she was trying to hurt herself," said Rivera. "I think she lost her balance."

Rivera, a concession stand manager at both Wrigley Field and U.S. Cellular Field, was waiting to catch a Green Line train when the accident occurred.

Southbound auto traffic on State Street was halted and northbound traffic was limited to a few cars and buses as a dozen emergency vehicles clustered in the area of the "L" station.

The woman was seen slipping off the platform by the train's operator, who alerted the CTA control center, Gregory said.

"The reports are that the rail operator saw the woman fall, and it was too late. There was nothing he could do," she said. The train, coming to a normal stop at the station, was traveling at about 5 m.p.h, she said.

During the recovery effort, the lead car of the six-car train was mostly obscured from view from the street by metal railings and a metal awning above the staircase that leads to the platform.

"It was just a very, very tragic accident," Gregory said.

Cell phones not evil. Cell phones good.

Drivers on cell phones evil.

;)

what does this have to do with cell phones??

The original news report said she was on a cellphone and was distracted and fell on the tracks as the train approached.

With such a messy extraction, plus the fact that the tracks were right over a major intersection, I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't find a cell phone.

I have a hard enough time paying attention when I am driving, I think if I had a cellphone I'd probably crash.

As a matter of fact, I broke up with my last girlfriend because she talked on her cellphone entirely too much (and we weren't getting along much, but the cellphone was also really effin' galling). Like she'd talk on it when she was driving (with me in the car), when we were shopping (with me next to her), even when we were watching movies or eating dinner. I dunno about the rest of you but personally, I find it upsetting to be placed second to a cellphone and I won't spend my time around someone like that.

Originally posted by Justen
I agree..the hands free kit is just as bad. It is still a distraction. It's weird, now you see people walking around on the street looking at first like they are having a really animated conversation with themselves until you see the headsets.

Wasn't it Paul McDermott who said that the only thing separating cell phone users from the certifiably insane is the assumption that there's actually someone on the other end listening to them?


Originally posted by RegularGuy
The other day I saw a guy driving a pickup. He was holding a cellphone against his ear with his shoulder. He was writing a note on the center of the steering column. He was steering with his elbows. He scared the hell out of me.

Yep, that happens here, too. As far as I'm concerned, people who go this far should have their licence revoked point blank on the spot - no questions asked. Have you heard the term "accident waiting to happen?"

I don't think passengers talking on cell phones on a bus is a safety problem but it IS annoying. Most people have totally idiotic, moronic conversations, especially dumb teenagers who yammer and want everyone to hear how cool they are. I could care less about your life, shut up! Most of them aren't talking about anything important, they're just bored and heaven forbid they just just sit, and perhaps THINK, or even READ?

But around here, all you see are people blabbing on phones and driving SUV's, while barely acknowledging stop signs. I often think, there is a potential accident involving some cyclist or pedestrian because of this shmuck!

Just one other thing, why do we refer to these situations as "accidents"? In my post above I referred to a commonly used phrase - "accident waiting to happen". The thing is, accidents don't wait to happen. In my view, if someone is allowing circumstances to prevail by which one of these "accidents" is likely to happen, it's no accident at all. It is merely the inevitable result of stupidity.

Now just imagine the effect on people's behaviour if news bulletins the world over stopped reporting on "accidents" and started reporting on "inevitable results of stupidity".

Originally posted by Chris L
Now just imagine the effect on people's behaviour if news bulletins the world over stopped reporting on "accidents" and started reporting on "inevitable results of stupidity".

ThanX Chris - that makes sense.

Society is awash with gadgets that weed out the irresponsible (Darwin Awards (http://darwinawards.com/) anybody?), but also take out innocent bystanders: crotch rockets (high performance motorcycles) for twenty somethings, rice rods for the most fastest and furious high schoolers, and cell phones for the self-absorbed. I was going to mention steroids that sterilize body-builders, but 'roids don't cause the same collateral carnage as an out of control motorcycle/street-rod/soccer-mom-in-an-SUV. As long as somebody's making money selling these things there will be somebody paying off, er um, lobbying our lawmakers to make only token attempts at holding users responsible for the consequences of their actions.

Originally posted by greg360
Society is awash with gadgets that weed out the irresponsible (Darwin Awards (http://darwinawards.com/) anybody?), but also take out innocent bystanders

In more ways than one... There are plenty of legtimate and responsible uses for these devices but once they see the light of the masses, you'll always have a bunch of people who misuse/abuse them. Perhaps the practice of "it is easier to ask for forgiveness than to request permission" should be changed. There are plenty of other devices which require you to prove you can be responsible first before you're allowed to have/purchase them. The only problem of course is when the requirements of skill for determining who can and can't have things become too lax. I'm almost always willing to advocate raising the bar when it comes to technology use. "You must be this tall to ride this ride..."

Agreed.

We have riders in our Sat morning pack ride which usually consists of 100+ riders who from time to time answer their cell phones. If a guy in from of me picks up his phone, I'm outta there. Over the years, we've had a few nasty crashes because of this. I carry a cell phone but would never use it while riding in a pack.

Originally posted by dumpstervegan

As a matter of fact, I broke up with my last girlfriend because she talked on her cellphone entirely too much (and we weren't getting along much, but the cellphone was also really effin' galling). Like she'd talk on it when she was driving (with me in the car), when we were shopping (with me next to her), even when we were watching movies or eating dinner. someone like that.

I'm curious.......so who was she talking to all those times?

Originally posted by dumpstervegan
As a matter of fact, I broke up with my last girlfriend because she talked on her cellphone entirely too much (and we weren't getting along much, but the cellphone was also really effin' galling).

Yeah..that's just plain rude and inconsiderate. I had (notice the past tense !) a friend who would talk on her cell phone ALL the time, even when meeting with friends or family for meals or whatever.

After this happened 3 or 4 times in one meal, I simply put on my jacket, paid the waitress for my meal and walked out. She stood there looking stunned....

I won't go for meals or to a movie or whatever with somebody who refuses to turn off their cellphone during that time.

Justen

I only use my cell phone for work related issues. If I didn't need it , I would not have it. For the longest time I did without it, but I was tired of getting out of the car and fishing for quarters (when it was still a quarter) every time I got paged for work. The last time I did that I was driving from Grady Hospital on Dekalb Ave. and had to use a public phone in the middle of a pretty seedy place at about 10:00 pm. I finally bit the bullet and bought one.

I carry a cell phone while mountain biking since I do that alone quite often.

I would never hang out with anybody that gabs on a cell phone in my company.

I've had patients answer their cell phone in the middle of a physical exam over non emergent issues. One woman was in the middle of a pap smear!!! (One phone call concerned a lunch and another I recall was to pick up a suit at the dry cleaners.) At that point I leave and see the next patient and let them wait for me to return (up to half an hour) since I feel the other patient that was waiting for me is worthy of my time and consideration. I feel I have been told their 5 minute phone call over meeting for lunch is more important than their illness and my attempts to communicate with them and help solve their problem. I have only answered my own pages when it is an emergency and not my husband checking in on me.

Originally posted by Koffee Brown
A little off the topic, but not really-

I just finished watching a Chicago news report- a woman was waiting for the train on the platform at State and Lake waiting for the Brown line train, when she apparently got distracted from talking on her cellphone and walked right off the platform just as the train was pulling up. She died under the train, despite the efforts of 25 firemen and many police vehicles. Do you think that woman's phone call was THAT important now?

Sad...

Sad and senseless. I honestly don't feel much of sympathy for her - even though it was a horrific death. Had she been driving, and was this significantly distracted, it could have been one of us that she killed !

People have to stop thinking that others cannot manage without their input for a 10 minute walk, a trip to the grocery store or a meal at a restaurant etc.
I have no problem getting away from the ringing of a phone....that's why I leave the office !

Justen

Originally posted by Natophelia
That was just dangerous, but I can't for the life of me think of any logical reason that someone talking on a cell phone in an open public place, on a bus, places where they aren't interacting with anyone else or making them wait for their conversation to be finished could possibly be any of my business.

I think you missed the point. I was questioning why people can't even catch a bus without needing to yack on their phone and it is disturbing to others. I have been on several buses where the driver will get up and ask the person to end their call because they are chatting and carrying on so loudly, it is distracting the driver. It is these inconsiderate people that bother me. I don't care what the other person is saying to them - it is very annoying to sit on a long bus ride and have one person talking and laughing loudly throughout on their cell phone.

So it does become my business because they have chosen to be rude and inconsiderate and not only have they distracted the driver, but they have shown disregard for other passengers.

Justen

Nope, I didn't :)

Originally posted by cbhungry
I carry a cell phone while mountain biking since I do that alone quite often.

I would never hang out with anybody that gabs on a cell phone in my company.

I've had patients answer their cell phone in the middle of a physical exam over non emergent issues. One woman was in the middle of a pap smear!!! (One phone call concerned a lunch and another I recall was to pick up a suit at the dry cleaners.) At that point I leave and see the next patient and let them wait for me to return (up to half an hour) since I feel the other patient that was waiting for me is worthy of my time and consideration.

Oh my god !! During a pap smear ?!?!
I actually think that is insulting and just plain weird.

The last thing I want to do during a pap smear is talk on the phone. "Well, I'm just lying here having my pap smear done now but do you want to meet for lunch? " It just seems like such a bizzarre conversation to have.

I think it's cool that you leave them and go to the next patient. Again, this is an example of absolute disregard (on the cell phone users part) for another person's time and presence. It's insulting.

I do agree that it is a good idea to have a cell phone for emergency or safety purposes.

I have fairly severe asthma and have had to use my cell phone to summon the paramedics on more than one occasion. Before I got it, other people would call for me. Also, I often go for my morning bike rides alone and since there are relatively few people around, I feel safer knowing I have a cell phone should I need assistance - either for my asthma or for personal safety reasons.

Other than that, I don't use it for anything else. I don't give out the number because it is turned off 99 % of the time so I just carry around a few quarters should I need to make a call.

I honestly like the freedom of being able to walk around without having people try to contact me with work related stuff.

Justen

Originally posted by Natophelia
Nope, I didn't :)

From your reply to my note, I felt that you had.

It is not my business what they are talking about but when they are talking so loudly that they are distracting the driver and disturbing other passengers, I find it inconsiderate.

Justen