Cell phones: most people either love them or hate them. Of course, I usually use this space to point out the fallacies of the human race, so you’ve probably already guessed that I fall into the latter category.
My problem with cell phones doesn’t lie in the technology; I’ll be the first to admit that having a phone with you—especially on long trips or late at night could surely leave someone feeling safer. They are a great tool that allow people to get help when they need it. I won’t argue the fact that their existence has saved more than a few lives. However, more accurately, I will say my problem lies with the behavior of cell phone users. There’s an obnoxious few who give all cell phone users a bad name.
Fairly recently, President Bush signed into law a list that creates a national ‘do not call’ registry. The registry makes it illegal for telemarketers to call individuals who do not wish to be called and sign up for this list. Even someone as dense as President Bush could figure out that a phone call is annoying if its not really for you—its telephone spam, if you will. However, due to the popularity of cell phones in public spaces, you can hear a phone ring anywhere—restaurants, movies, and performances.
Beyond hearing the ring of people who are too insensitive to silence their cell phone when they go out, I’ve been graced with hearing more than one person have a conversation in inappropriate and awkward places.
Just the other day, a guy behind me in my economics class carried out an entire conversation while the professor was lecturing. Or, another time I heard a high school-aged girl calling her boyfriend while using a public restroom. I wouldn’t even do that in my own home! Is nothing sacred?
My message to cell phone users is to be conscious of what you’re doing. Cell phones are like anything else, they’re only bad when you don’t use them appropriately. When you’re out in a restaurant or seeing a performance, silence the ring. If you should forget during a performance, please don’t answer it and start talking. I was at a play once and a lady spent a good ten minutes simply talking on her phone—she didn’t even go outside! Basically, use common sense and think about what you’re doing and how it could disturb the people around you.
I’m a firm believer that cell phones aren’t the problem, it’s their users. With a cell phone, you’ve got a great tool, use it wisely. As for me, I don’t see the appeal of having a conversation consisting of “Can you hear me now?”; so I’ll stick with my old-fashioned land line.
