Bravo!!!

I have a cellphone and I'm not ashamed to use it, nor will I be bullied into not using it.

Appropriate usage can be life saving (and I'm glad you were able to summon help with your cell phone).
On the other hand, inappropriate usage such as texting while driving on a cell phone destroys many lives.
It is like many things in life, good or evil is all in how you use what you have.

This post was edited by lucille on Fri, May 9, 14 at 8:53

Lucille you're right - texting while driving is just crazy!

Thank goodness, Monica! Was this terrifying event a recent one? Are you okay?

You know, don't you, that no one was knocking cell phones or other technology in general. Not at all! What a difference these devices make in our lives.

It's those people who keep their attention glued to these little glowing instruments at the sacrifice of human interaction, play time for children, a real sunset, a quiet conversation while looking into the eyes of the other, attending a movie or play but keeping those thumbs busy the whole time, etc., Those are the people we're talking about.

Life is so fleeting.....as you well know. I'm so grateful that you had your cell phone handy, Monica. I always keep mine close by, too; never too far from my reach. I simply know when to put everything away and reach out in the flesh to my loved ones.

I was sitting in a surgical waiting room yesterday that had a prominent sign telling people not to use cell phones in that room, while a woman made call after call to her friends and club members about a party that was squealed for that evening. You can imagine how annoying that was for others waiting to hear how the surgeries went for their loved ones. This woman not only spoke in a loud voice, she put the other party on speakerphone. It was really so inconsiderate and is one of the reasons some people get upset at cell phone use.

And no one had the guts to walk over to her, point to the sign, and politely suggest she step out of the room?

I have a cell phone but it is an inexpensive flip phone, not a smart phone. I rarely use it but it is a comfort and convenience to have it.

OMG, I accidentally did that one time. I took my friend for her colonoscopy and was sitting in the small waiting room for her to be done. My contractor called and we proceeded to discuss a few things. When I hung up I noticed a sign that said no cell phone use. I was so embarrassed. I apologized to the other woman in the room, but I could see she was having none of it!

I have a cell phone but it is an inexpensive flip phone, not a smart phone. I rarely use it but it is a comfort and convenience to have it.

OMG, I accidentally did that one time. I took my friend for her colonoscopy and was sitting in the small waiting room for her to be done. My contractor called and we proceeded to discuss a few things. When I hung up I noticed a sign that said no cell phone use. I was so embarrassed. I apologized to the other woman in the room, but I could see she was having none of it!

I agree all this cell phone usage knocking is annoying. I personally find it in poor taste. Y'all do know those same impolite folks would just have been impolite a different way before cell phones ever existed right? They can even be rude without a phone. It's a problem they have, not a phone.

I was standing behind a woman in line checking out the other day, and she was so loud everyone heard what she was saying to her daughter... that was standing right next to her. She was criticizing how expensive the products were and how she didn't think the daughter needed this or needed to do that. It was loud. Didn't have a phone in her hand, may not have even owned one. Who knows, she was rude all by her lonesome. And wasn't all that young either (she looked to be in her forties, not her twenties). By the looks of it, her daughter was well into her teens. So it wasn't one of those harried, young moms who hasn't yet learned how to control her child (I give those ladies lots of room. They're tired and not used to it yet). She just didn't have control of her own mouth or actions.

Well put rhizo_1.

I would like to see more places post signs asking that cell phones either be turned off or set to vibrate only. So many have loud annoying ringtones, that I imagine they think are 'cute'.

I've been tempted more than once to inform cell phone users that they were talking quite loud. I 'do' tell my friend that she talks loud on hers, regardless of where she is.

I'd thought that by now people would have learned how to use this relatively new technology...but some have not. Improper use is not merely annoying; it can be dangerous.

If a phone call is *important* it's important enough to be accorded one's full attention. If it is about a *private* matter, the conversation should be conducted in privacy. Absent a true emergency -- rescheduling a meeting doesn't qualify -- couldn't users be more selective about making or receiving calls? I doubt many *must* be made while driving, putting the driver and the public at risk, hands-free or not.

It would be interesting to be able to rank cell phone calls on scale from "life saving" to "noise". Think of the cell calls you make and take, and those you hear in public; how many are *vitally important*?

I haven't seen posts bashing cell phones. I've seen posts bashing the way some people use them. There IS a middle ground.

My cell phone is my only way of calling, we don't have a land line. Haven't had one in over a year. So if I need to talk it is the cell phone.

I agree that those that are rude with their usage should be told to take it outside. I agree that those that use their cell phones while driving are risking the lives of many people. But my cell is never used where it is marked, and I normally take it outside. The only time I use it in the car is if I am sitting in the passenger seat...I may answer a call while driving if it is from my family, but I tell them I am driving so hurry up & tell me...one time it was DD calling to tell me that her dad had not picked her up and would I come get her...

Wait, you agree that "those that use their cell phones while driving are risking the lives of many people" but you say you will answer the phone when your family calls? I don't really understand this.

I get that sometimes there are emergencies but those are very rare. The problem is when everyone gets to create their own set of exceptions to when it's okay to use the phone that we get into trouble in society as everyone has different risk thresholds they are willing to take. Unfortunately it's usually the innocent ones who aren't doing anything who have to pay for those exceptions and choices, far too often with their lives.

It's a good idea to pull over if you must take a call. If I need to take or make a call I usually go into a parking lot, or will pull over depending where I am.

I do see far fewer people on their phones while driving compared to a few years ago though so hopefully people are realizing how dangerous it is. In my area they are really cracking down on it though. I was pulled over for glancing down at my GPS once, and the officer asked to check my phone to look for texting or calls. He let me go when there was nothing recent on it but I imagine they catch a lot of people and it's not a cheap ticket.

And I don't understand how "glancing down at my GPS once" is any less an infraction?

Distracted driving can be "blamed" on way more than phones. Talking to passengers, changing radio stations, eating, putting on makeup. So be sure to crack down on everyone. Just drive. Don't do the rest. Any of it.

Oh I agree, it's still distracted driving, and he was right to pull me over. He happened to let me go with a warning since I wasn't texting but I would have understood getting the ticket. I wasn't thinking it through at the time since I needed to know my next turn but it's just as bad as reading a text.

The "knocks" were not about cell phone usage. They were about cell phone misusage. Huge difference. But you knew that.

But... often cell phone misusage is in the ear of the beholder. Why would anyone care if someone is walking around the grocery store carrying on a conversation or texting in a restaurant?

I really don't care who talks to whom or how loud or where they're doing it, with the exception of when it's a danger. Unless I'm in a bad mood then it's reason to have something to complain about.

Monica - I'm sorry your thread went in this direction but I guess you expected it to.
How fortunate you were to have a cellphone handy!

((For the record, I'm not much of a talker or texter. People calling or texting me... now -that- gets on my nerves!))

When I "answered" the call from my DD I was using Blue Tooth. It is built into the car, so it kicks in when I get behind the wheel.

My husband and I have cell phones, basic Tracfones...
Yes, they can be a lifesaver but I doubt people need to be talking constantly....

LOL talking about ring tones.....I was at the bank the other day using an ATM machine. Suddenly right beside me, I heard a very very loud siren go off. I jumped a mile. Was the bank being robbed? Did I do something wrong to the ATM machine? My heart was pounding. It turned out that the man using the machine beside me was a fireman and the siren was a ringtone. Needless to say the lady behind me saw what it was and we both told him we did not appreciate being scared out of our minds.

Reading this thread made me realize that during the bridal shower I attended this afternoon I did not hear one cell phone ringing or notice anyone texting. I think all the women attending had very good manners. There were all ages but most in their 20s.

The national parks near Banff are planning on installing wifi all over to help rescue people who are lost in the mountains. Right now as it is, if you have a cell phone you can't even connect to your data plan if you need help. I think it's a great idea. Too many people get lost while skiing, snowboarding, ski-dooing or hiking. This way with a cell phone and free wifi, they can be located using their gps.