C'mon People, Get Off Those Cell Phones!

The other day, I was sitting at the nail salon, looking forward to an hour of relaxation with the luxury of a pedicure.

No sooner did I close my eyes and sink my feet into that tub of warm sudsy water and feel the first massaging pulses of the spa chair do I hear the obnoxious loud ringtone of a cell phone. (And it was that really annoying one, you know the one that sounds like it is the military wake-up call reverie.) Now, if it were me, I would be embarrassed at the jarring sound of a cell phone going off in a spa and would quickly grab my phone and hit the ignore button to stop the ringing. Not the case for the woman whose phone is ringing and who is sitting right next to me. She not only answers her phone, but proceeds to carry on an entire conversation of inane chatter lasting 15 minutes. Then, after ending the call, she proceeds to call someone else and chat for another five minutes relaying the absolutely not critical content of the first conversation. Needless to say, my hour of relaxation was anything but.

My questions are these: Are people completely clueless that others can hear their phone conversations? Do they think they are invisible? Do they think they are so important that it is their right to force others to listen to their conversations? Or just plain rude?

Here's another recent real case of cell phone insanity-I am sitting on the bus and a man is carrying on a conversation on a SPEAKER phone, yes speaker phone. A bus full of basically quiet people all forced to listen to one person's loud conversation. Now, I realize that the conventional wisdom these days is that it is safer to use the speaker phone or a headset instead of holding the phone up to your ear, but again, this is in a public place. Not cool.

C'mon people, we don't want to hear your cell phone conversations!

Now maybe if you were leaking a hot stock tip, or telling us where Osama really was, or where an ATM was spitting out free twenties, I might make an exception, but having to listen to mindless conversations peppered with "where you at?" and "can you hear me?" is not only annoying but downright inconsiderate.

Cell phones are primarily for talking in private or for use when others are not within hearing range. They are not for use in restaurants, in doctor's offices, on the bus, train, in stores, at the movies, while on a date or anywhere else where others can hear you (or are forced to hear you).

And while I'm at it, I'm begging of you, regardless of what the laws are regarding head sets in your state, do not use cell phones while driving. Wait until you are stopped or have reached your destination. You're endangering yourself, your passengers and others on the road.

My Plea:

1. Lose the obnoxious ring tones, and if you must have them, realize that they aren't appropriate for professional work situations

2. Speaker phones in public are never proper

3. Turn down the ringer volume and use vibrate when possible

4. Answer calls in public for emergencies only

5. If you have to talk, excuse yourself and go somewhere private. As a working professional with clients, I understand the need to be available, so I have my
phone on vibrate, check it often and call people back when not in public.

6. Stop shouting. Why talk so loudly? If your connection is poor, don't subject everyone around you to your increasing voice volume. If it's that bad, switch
providers.

7. Don't use cell phones while driving.

So, that's my rant (smile).

What are your thoughts on cell phone etiquette? Is it generational? A cell phone culture that sprang up without any rules? Or just a general lack of manners and consideration? Do you ever say anything to someone who is disturbing you by talking on a cell phone? What was the reaction? Have you gotten into any scuffles?

What say you?