I think people are getting addicted to chatting to everyone, and it starts young. However, I know that my son and son-in-law have to be connected to work 24/7 to answer questions, etc. So in their case, they have some freedom with strings attached when they are away from work.

It's too bad that the couple will have fewer nice memories of their outing with their kids than the kids will, cuz they were busy talking on the phone instead of living in the moment.

To Sheila: What kinds of jobs do your two guys have that they need to be connected fully 24/7? I have found that many people believe they have to be connected and checking in on business or else the bosses will realize that business can continue without them, and without them on the payroll. [And from a labor standpoint, they're probably being used by the big bosses, being required to be connected 24/7.]

(One of my pet peeves with cells is that a lot of people, when they receive a call, let their phone ring and ring before they pick it up. Maybe they're just so happy that they have a cute cell that they want to tell the world. Maybe it's fallen to the bottom of their huge purse, or maybe it's tucked into their back pants' pocket and their pants are so tight they can't get the phone out, I dunno. But in a bookstore yesterday, I certainly didn't need to hear the first full minute of their ring-tone song!)

There are sometimes reasons why people are on their cells, but if you listen to a lot of the talk (and how can you not with their loud voices) they're just yakking. They can be with their kids, their spouses, or their friends but they're speaking with someone not there.
If they call to invite you to lunch, don't go. You will be sitting there while they talk to someone else....on their cell phone.

It drives me nuts to see parents in the grocery stores with their kids and the parents are talking about absolutely nothing to a friend on their cell. They are missing lots of opportunity to converse with their kids.

Most people really do not need to be on the phone 24/7 except to show others how "important" they are. Parents need to control their kids, not tell someone what they had for lunch and where etc. for the third time!!!

I'd venture a guess that about 90% is status symbol to feel important. These people just aren't that important that they have to be yakking on a phone 24/7. I guess when you pay $300 for a phone and $100+ per month for service you have to "justify" it somehow.

And people sitting next to each other, texting each other! Sheesh!

Of course there's some that have a need for it. A friend is a private investigator so they use a lot of cell time. Doctors, criminal lawyers, people waiting on transplant lists, etc are all But that's a small minority of people. And they don't need to be on it continually either.

Grocery stores make me laugh. Wandering up and down the aisles do we need peanut butter???

Linda, I so agree with you! I cannot for the life of me figure out why the parent would rather be on the phone than "with" their child. Sometimes the kids have such a lonesome look too.....sad!

Well, SIL is involved with international clients as well as clients in the USA in investment banking. The hours are long, and then when the business involves working with people on another continent, calls can come in at any time, especially if there is a glitch.

DS works in post production, mostly commercials. The hours are long and schedules are tight, and again, a glitch can develop with the demands of a tight schedule and it is rush, rush, to start over if needs be and still meet the deadline. He freelances, so it is not constant with him.

Our guys on the agency's network infrastructure team all have BlackBerry phones and are "on call" in case anything happens to the infrastructure. We have employees on duty on all three shifts throughout the state, and if the network goes down there can be major problems.

These guys earn a very good salary (well, at least before the Governator's mandated 3 unpaid furlough days each month, causing an approximate 15% reduction of salary), and they're in a civil service classification that doesn't have to charge time off to vacation/sick leave/whatever if they are off less than a full day. That's a nice perk for being on call, especially considering that it's rare that they have to drop everything and hightail it back to the office during off hours.

It just seems odd to see someone animatedly talking into their hand. I see it all the time. The funniest is at the grocery store-people are chatting with family at home, asking what brand or flavor to buy.

Woody and I call each other from the grocery store fairly frequently. It's a 22 mile round trip, if I don't get what we need we either have to go back (shoots an hour and a gallon of gas) or go without for a week or so. So yeah, I'll call him to see if there's something else we need or if I have a question about the list. Honestly, to me, that's one of the best things about having a cell phone AND a retired husband who is home a lot.

I WON'T do it while I'm standing in the check-out line, though, because I'm not rude.

I know some people need them for thier work, but if you are going to Universal or any other place to spend time with your kids, leave the phone at home. No oneis that busy that they can't turn the phone off for a few hours.

There is a huge difference between being on call,checking in with someone or calling someone with a bona fide question (IE need anything while I'm at the store?) and just chatting to chat when with others or in the range of others hearing.

A cell phone can also be a great way to share the moment. I was at a New Years event last night and pixed the band to DD and also texted a message about a great kilt I saw to DS because I knew I wouldn't remember the name later.

will have fewer nice memories of their outing with their kids than the kids will, cuz they were busy talking on the phone instead of living in the moment

What about those who can't enjoy anything except through the lens of a camera? You know the ones who are at the recital or event with the blinding flash every 10 seconds. The ones who lean in front of you or block your view at the aquarium to get a picture of a fish they can buy on a postcard. The ones that hold up everything while they try to force an uncooperative child to pose in front of the cute zoo sign for their scrapbook when all the poor kid really wants to do is see the elephants. The ones who ruin your dinner with flash! flash! flash! while they take pictures of their table mates ummmmm... sitting at the table and then later the food. They will have all these stupid pictures but how many real memories?

It's a addiction.
When I fly the passengers have to turn their phones off for landing. They hold them in their hands and the second the wheels touch the ground I can hear them all turning their phones on. We are landing at 160 miles an hour on touchdown and they don't think about safety.
Donna

It is difficult be anywhere now without something grating on your senses, and most the doing of inconsiderate persons:

those camera hounds previosly mentioned

the cell phone users who do not care how they disturb others

the persons who have audio equipment so loud that it vibrates their and your cars

the unseen persons who litter the highways and other public places

the people who talk during movies and other performances

the people who do not control their children in public places

This list could grow so long. Need to get off this soapbox.

I saw someone on a Rose Parade float this morning talking on the phone.

socks wonder if it were a "spotter" for the driver of the float? they often drive blind...

dh's co is a 24/7 office...you'be glad if you got stuck in an elevator, lol...all the mechanics on call, are required to answer...

i do understand people being called while on vacation...this has been one of the few weeks they havn't called dh (on vacation) to check on something...

I agree with Donna. It's an addiction, or at least a strong habit.

The street we live on is a favorite of people walking for exercise and walking their dogs. Over the years I see fewer and fewer people who are NOT on their cell phones. Same with neighborhood women in their SUV's -- nobody's paying attention to what's happening HERE or NOW.

It jars me is to be in a store and hear someone seemingly talking to herself; then you see she has a hands-free phone on her ear. Yes, the conversations are ALWAYS totally banal.

I don't 'get' wearing music pods in your ears wherever you are, whatever you're doing. Gosh, I remember being relieved when one girlfriend left after a sleepover because she couldn't *exist* without having the radio on constantly.

A SAHM whose children were our DS's friends turned on a living room TV immediately when she woke and *sometimes* turned it off at midnight. IF she and her DH conversed -- happened infrequently -- they shouted over the TV.

What's this all about? Can't we stand ourselves? Aren't we *real* without static?

It doesn't bother me to see others talking on their cells. What does bother me is when they talk so loud. It's like they want everyone to hear their conversation.

I don't care if other people talk on their cells. I don't use mine much--except as a 'house phone' when I'm in the country.

But I AM one of the people you may have seen on their cell in the grocery store. Let me tell you why some people might feel the need to do that. I used to shop for my mother--when she was alive--and I'd often call her from the store, so she was involved in choosing the food she was getting for the week. She was physically unable to go to a large store like a grocery store. We preferred to reserve her energies for things she enjoyed more--like going out to lunch. But I still liked to make sure she was able to 'shop' as much as possible. I'm sure I am not the only person who has used their cell in that way.

The mention about people walking their dogs reminds me:

When I had a dog, I never had my cell with me. I really didn't need to be talking instead of enjoying my walk with the dog.

But, when I get my next pup (maybe just a week away now!), I do intend to have my cell in my pocket. Not for making or taking routine calls. But I walk during the day, when a lot of my neighbors are at work (my work schedule is different), so in a "neighborhood watch" kind of way, it's important to have a phone. It's also smart to have the cell in case of emergency: someone locked out of his house, a dog on the loose (there are also foxes here), slipping on the ice (the dog I had was no Lassie!).

We will also take a very late-night walk every day, so it will be impt to have the phone there.

Wildchild: You are right about the camera people. They can be pretty blind and rude, as well.

And let's not even mention the people in the movie theaters checking their light-up phones!

I only got my first cell phone last year at Christmas and barey even use it! What I think it kind of humurous is when people justify having them because they have kids, or are expecting a baby. How on earth did I raise three children without one, Ha ha!

It is sad to see people everywhere, not us Universal Studios giving priority to their cell phone callers instead of the people they are with. At work, when the phone rings we ignore it if we have clients. Real people first! You can always check a message later.

I have had a cell phone for some years now and I use it more than I do my home phone. Home phone is for my dial up. I am on one of the kids plans so I only have to pay $10 a month. I take it with me everyplace I go. Nice to have even if I would be out mowing the yard. Living in the country and being older, one never knows when it would be real handy. I also have it with me if I have to take the dog out at night. Most of the time it does not bother me if someone is talking on their cell phone. Not a whole lot bothers me :)

Sue

With regard to being on call 24/7 ...

... I wonder, " ... freedom with strings ...", is different from a shorter, simpler expression like, " ... leash ..." in what way, precisely?

In earlier times, when many people whose work involved them moving over substantial areas often carried pagers, and these days when many carry cell phones, I sometimes comment(ed) that, "I noticed that you have your leash on today", and when they looked at me quizzically, or asked what I meant, when I'd just point to the pager/cell phone ...

... they knew exactly what I was talking about - and quite a few of them agreed, some with a bit of a wry smile or regretful expression, that that's about what it was/is.

ole joyful

P.S. Son and friend, whom I've carted around to fairs, festivals, Santa Claus parades, etc. to blow up their ballon hats, animals, swords, etc. for kids' entertainment ...

... gave me a cell for Christmas.

That, as I live alone and, though landlord often comes into the yard, isn't aware of whether I'm mobile ... or lying ill (dead?) on the floor ... they are concerned that it might well be a safety link, as well.

Set up as son's Mom Sue's was - low maintenance charge, high fees for more than minimal minutes of usage per month.

Can you imagine ole joyful being (relatively) speechless?

Talk about discomfort ... even torture!

That said - I'm more inclined to talk to people face to face than on the phone.

o j

OJ, that sounds like my cell phone plan too, and in my one year of using it I've never gone over my minimum minutes allowed. Yes, I'd rather be face to face too (or a personal e-mail!)

I don't think anyone thinks cell phone are a bad thing, in and of themselves. We've discussed many good uses for them in this thread. However, it's puzzling that so many people seem to need to be talking about trivial matters 24/7, wherever they are, to the exclusion of what's happening in front of them and the people physically present.

We're on our DS's family-free plan. Rarely do I make or take a call that's not family.

I don't want to provide the cell phone number to someone who is going to call me to set up an appointment, make reservations, revise a document, etc. I don't want to discuss my private affairs or theirs in the middle of the grocery store or in traffic. I want to have my own information on the topic in front of me. People can leave a message and I'll call THEM back at their place of business (or home office). There must be a lot of phone tag due to catching people unawares on cell phones.

I know several people who think they look important when they stride purposefully down the street talking on the cell phone. We had a receptionist at work who dialed her phone on the way out the door and was still talking as she strode back into the office an hour later. Whatever it was it had nothing to do with her job but if you didn't know better you'd think she was indispensible and a most important person. I just think it's funny.

While reading this, remembered one day we were checking out in grocery store. The guy was talking very loud, and making all sorts of hand motions. He was telling the person he was talking with that he was on the beach at the time, and how cool and refreshing the breeze was on the ocean, then he started describing the beach beauties. At this time we were inland about 4 hours from the closest beach. He talked on and on about the clubs he was going to each night, Just figured it was a joke. He was talking loud enough to be heard several aisle's over.

Oh NO! Vacation Guy! When we're on Maui we dread seeing Vacation Guy check into the condo above ours. He sits on the balcony above our lanai and calls everyone in his phone book to tell them he's ON MAUI, watching the whales, listening to the birds, etc. I don't think he uses his cell all that much otherwise because he's bellowing into it. His poor 'friends'. Poor us! (Hope he's not coming this year!)

One thing I can't stand is people blabbing on their cell phones in stores at the top of their lungs. I don't want to hear their conversation. I don't care what so and so said. I think it is rude and I can't believe how oblivious these people are.

I maintain that with the low cost of a cell phone these days it's foolish to not have one, but to have one and misuse one are 2 different things. If I'm out, (or OJ!!!) and trip, seriously cut or whatever other accident might happen, or traveling alone and have car trouble, it's certainly a valuable tool to contact someone for assistance. Even slipping getting out of the tub or shower, it's a good idea to have handy.

The difference of course is those who live on them because they're trying to impress themselves. And there's no need to go into more detail since the nonstop yakkers don't know what a pest and nutcase they are.

Perfect timing for this post! I was looking around in a shoe store this morning. I was the only customer in the store. The sales rep was busy chatting on a cell phone behind the counter. I was there at least 10 minutes before she told the person on the line that she needed to assist someone. She did not hang up, just put them on hold. (I guess she had already decided that I wasn't going to purchase anything.)
She asked if I needed any help.
I said "NO thanks, I've managed this long on my own" and I walked out. As I was leaving she picked up the phone and I heard her complaining about me to her caller.
I came home and sent an email to the company head office.
I have had it with poor service in stores and then hearing about how no one is spending money and the stores are hurting.

Chiuse, VACATION GUY, LOL! You may see him when he's in Maui, but when he flies back, we get the privilege of hearing about his vacation while he is at the grocery store, while he's pushing his cart around to restock the house supply of Doritos and Bud Light and talking about his poor, peeling nose and the very cool whales he saw in Maui. This guy turned a 15 minute beer into an hour of grocery shopping, no wonder he needed a vacation.