Whats the big deal with using a cell phone in public?

Question

I see people talking on their cell phones everywhere I go and it doesn't bother me one bit. I don't get why some people find it so offensive. Please explain to me why it is so rude. Personally, I value my friends more than anything and therefore I find it more important to answer my cell phone than to talk to the clerk at the grocery store!

Answer 1

One of the problems is that many people seem to think on a cell phone YOU HAVE TO SPEAK REALLY LOUD, and thus they're pretty much yelling through the whole bus or train compartment. That's annoying.
Also I don't like it when people are on their cell phone when they're at the checkout lane. People who are distracted by a call almost always take much longer, fumbling for their money with one hand, putting the change away with one hand, forgetting something they need too, not hearing the clerk when he asks a *necessary* question like if you want your groceries bagged or if you have coupons etc... You don't have to chat about the weather with the clerk but please pay attention to the business at hand, if not you're holding up the line. I value my time more than I value your friends, whom I don't know at all.

Answer 2

I don't mind it when people use their cell phones while out in public, even driving. But when that person screws up somehow, because they were talking on the phone, that's when i get pi**ed off. They are on the interstate in rush hour traffic and they are going 55 in a 70 and holding up traffic! And they don't even realize it because they are too into their conversation. Although i do see some people on their phones, because I'm observant, and they are driving just fine and I hardly notice em. So some people can do two things at once. Few can! When I hear people swearing on the phone in public and can hear the other person on the phone is just so inappropriate. I mean kids can hear that people. And quit holding up the lines and get out of other peoples way in the aisles and then nobody will have a problem. However, most people can do two things at once and it's not a big deal, but the 30% that can't are what is ruining everyone else's day.

Answer 3

I do not have a problem when people use their phone in public but is some cases yes. When i worked at a bakery people would come up to the counter on the phone and just yell their order at me, then if i had a question it would be hard to get their attention since they are occupied on the phone, its rude to whom ever is waiting on you, while friends are important its also important to be polite to others in public, just like how you where shoes into stores and hopefully dont swear at the clerks in a store ect. I wouldn't help people if they were on the phone, i would ignore them till they got the hint. There is no reason you cant tell your friend on the phone, can you hold on a minute while i place my ordere here, or can i call you back. Its just respect for the staff, we are people too, not your hired help slave.

Answer 4

People around the cell phone user are usually trying to have a conversation with someone or they're trying to read (on public transportation). People on the phones can get really loud. I don't know why that is, but it is. Everyone else really doesn't want to be involved in half of your conversation. They'd rather be able to carry on their own conversation. I rarely use mine in public, but when I do I lower my voice and ask the person on the other end to hang on while I move to a location where there aren't a lot of other people around. I think it's a courtesy issue with most people.

I also turn my phone off before I go into church. Have you ever been in a church service and someones phone started ringing? I also distinctly remember having managed to get seats to one of only six concerts that the London Symphony Orchestra was giving in the States. Right before they were going to start playing someones phone started ringing. Everyone kept waiting and finally one of the musicians yelled "turn it off".

Answer 5

I don't mind if someone talks on their cell in public. The only time I would have a problem with it would be if I was held up waiting in line becasue someone was talking on the phone when the clerk was waiting for them. Other than that, I really do not care at all if someone talks on the phone in public.

Answer 6

some people overuse their phones. It gets really annoying when you are in a conversation with someone and their phone rings off the hook. Pay attention to the grocer next time. That will take you like a whole 10 seconds. You can call your friend back and everything will be just like it was 10 seconds ago. Just face it, if you are overusing your phone or using it in bad situations it is rude

Answer 7

Most people talk on their cell phones much louder than they would in a normal conversation with a person next to them. I don't think the talking on the cell phone in itself is rude ... but I think the very loud conversations in public are rude.

Answer 8

It's rude when you are a cashier (they are people too) and the person isn't paying attention to you and holding up the line because they are too busy talking to give them the money.
It's rude when you are with your small children and the lady next to you is cursing on her phone.
It's rude when the person at the table next to you at dinner is describing a medical condition that makes you lose your appetite.
It's rude when you think you are more important than anyone else. Valuing your friends has nothing to do with your manners.

Answer 9

I stay in Maryland. and countless federal places block cellular telephone alerts. it somewhat is by way of 911. cellular telephones have gps (international positioning satellite tv for pc) which locates you. After 911 and the assaults on some federal places of work besides as international commerce homes, they now block them, some places restriction cellular telephones in the development by using fact maximum have cameras, recorders, and camcorders that would circulation video. What i'm saying mostvare nonetheless frightened of terrorists attack. by using fact of gps. In Virginia, around the pentagon is a cellular blackout area the place you get no sign in any respect, i think of a ten mile radius. some distant gadgets would properly be extra on via a telephone call. Or text cloth.

Answer 10

Because the average cell phone user drops about 100 IQ points when on the phone and doesn't pay attention what's going on around them.