This is a question that arose from Joanne Kahan’s pitch about the noise that comes from people wearing headphones in public places. This, in turn, let to a conversation about what seems to be a need, on the part of many, to control the “noise” of everyday living – by creating their own!
Cellphone use in general seemed to be the thing that stirred the conversation the most, so we pose this question for your consideration: ‘Where (and when) is it absolutely NOT appropriate to use your cell phone?‘.
[Editor’s Note: One of my favorite comments: “A public rest room stall! One of these days I’m going to let out a massive groan, then flush!” Thanks, Claudia!]
Giulia Gouge says
While driving. Forget about the noise. People are awful drivers when they have their cellphones in hand or even in ear. There’s a weird glazed look in their eyes that’s very scary.
Bruce says
SO true, Giulia; this is becoming one of my major “on the verge of becoming a crotchety old man” “beefs” with the world!
Claudia Ferraiolo says
A public rest room stall! One of these days I’m going to let out a massive groan, then flush!
webguygary says
I think that’s more of a problem in the ladies room than the men’s room. at least now we know why the lines are so long for the women.
Cellular Chloe says
Believe it or not, last month was Cell Phone Etiquette month. I did a little survey asking about cell phone etiquette breaches and the most popular answer was talking/texting while driving followed by whenever and wherever people were that they were talking loudly. See survey results and summary. My pet peeve is when people talk loudly and you can’t walk away from them i.e. waiting in line at the grocery store. Use common sense and be courteous to one another!
Ron Carrano says
I believe the cell phone law has backfired on the makers of the law. You see, I can walk and chew gum, and I think most others can too. I think that people who have a phone to their ear, and no more dangerous than those who bring cigarettes to their mouths. Driving one handed, is driving one handed, and I don’t think the conversation that takes place is any more distracting then the ones taking place between driver & passenger. Where I think the problem lies, is the law has everyone so afraid to be seen with a phone to their ear, that they now hold their phones way down in their lap, and text while driving. This is a recipe for disaster, and is directly a result of the cell phone law. Bottom line is, people are gonna bend the law, and this is an example of how a well intentioned law has spawned a far more dangerous result….