Teenagers Need to Learn Cell Phone Etiquette
Gone Are the Days of Just Call Me when You Get Home
However, what me, my son, my friends, and the other paying customers were subjected to in that movie theater was absolutely intolerable. Even before the movie started, as we're sitting there watching the previews and advertisements an influx of about 20 teenagers all came in, all talking loudly, arguing over who gets to sit next to whom, constantly getting up, switching seats, and text-messaging their friends who no doubt were sitting just a few rows behind them.
It was quite irritating but I figured they would behave themselves once the actual movie got started. Was I ever wrong. 20 minutes into the movie and the incessant talking, cell-phone use, and seat switching was still going on. What made my experience even worse was the fact that the theater was so packed we had no choice but to sit three rows from the screen and the loud pack of teenagers were sitting two rows ahead of us.
What finally prompted me to get up and go complain to a manager was the girl in front of me leaning over the seat in front of her to talk to her friend so that instead of an unobstructed view of the screen I got an eyeful of a rear end. Two other adults and I marched out, found a manager, and an armed officer (no doubt hired by the movie theater to control the masses) to come in and settle those kids down.
Teenagers are a completely different breed of animal. I understand that. But what I don't understand is this generation's complete lack of respect and feeling for anyone other than themselves. Apparently this particular theater is not a place to go to watch movies. It's the only place where the kids can get in without an ID and there is no alcohol being served in order to socialize. I am not disputing that they need a place to go to hang out and socialize.
But not INSIDE a movie theater especially after the movie comes on. Even after the manager threatened to kick out all those kids if they didn't behave they still continued to disrupt the movie although not as obnoxiously as before. I could still see the glow of their cell phones as they wildly text-messaged each other. Towards the end of the movie they began their seat switching again. Needless to say I will never again go to this particular theater.
Here are my suggestions for what teenagers need to learn about using their cell phones:
1. Do not use them inside a movie theater.
2. Do not use them while driving.
3. Do not use them during class.
As adults we know these things, although some of us are still guilty of not following proper phone etiquette either. However, teenagers, still being younger, need to learn from our examples. That's where it starts.
Published by Laura Pena
I am 40 years old and a native Houstonian, born and bred. I received a private, Catholic girl's school education and then went on to college to major first in Radio/Television. I also have a major in English... View profile
- Reasons to Ban Cell Phones While DrivingA lookm at the hazards- and arguments pro and con-0 about the danfgers of drivers using cell phones while driving, including facts about accident frequency
- Charities Can Recycle Your Used Cell Phones and Help a Person in NeedMore and more of us are getting new cell phones everyday. But what happens to the old ones? They end up in a old junk drawer or thrown in the trash. Wouldn't you rather help a person in need by donating it to a ch...
Cell Phones:Three Hottest Cell Phones of 2007So you want a new cell phone for 2007. Check out three of the hottest cell phones for 2007.
Donating Cell Phones Will Help Soldiers Call Home During HolidaysStarting with $21 of their own money, the Bergquist teens created a non-profit organization in hopes of making it possible for every U.S. soldier to be able to call home during...
Cell Phones of the FutureTaking a cue for the "here-today-gone-tomorrow' fashion industry cell phones start being introduced in Summer-Winter-Spring and Fall models.
- Cell Phones: A Problem or a Solution?
- Cell Phones in Schools: Do They Affect the Grades?
- Buyers Guide to Family Cell Phone Plan
- Cell Phone Accessories
- Make Your Own Cell Phone Cover
- MetroPCS - $40 Unlimited Cell Phone Service?
- Laws Regulating Cell Phone Use While Driving Will Help Prevent Car Accidents, Deaths
- Cell phones should be turned off in the mvoie theater
- It tells you on the screen to turn off cell phones
- Text-messaging also counts as cell phone use
2 Comments
Post a CommentWhile I do agree with you 100%, teenagers aren't the only ones I have seen with poor cell phone etquette - I have seen many adults with poor cell phone etiquette too. I think many people need to learn cell phone etiquette. Great article!!
EXCELLENT ARTICLE! I agree with you 100%! My husband and I drive out very far just to go to the movies now... it is so unreal how rude teenagers are at times. Cell phones have become even more dangerous because now they use them to call up all of their friends and family to fight at school. I say the parents don't give them the phones unless they can pay for their own service... when I was in high school (and I am only 26) we used the phone in the school office for emergencies or to call home. The parents that justify giving their teen a cell phone simply for contact purposes need to face reality.