You know what I mean. If you don't, then please, crawl out from whatever rock it is that you've been so naively living under and come join the rest of us here in the present.
I don't like to use the word 'hate'. Infact, I hate to say 'hate'. It's a very strong word. Once it's said, you can't take it back. But here's the thing... I HATE cell phones. With a passion.
No-one needs to be that contactable. All the time. 24/7. No-one. Not even God. Well, maybe God, but he certainly doesn't need a mobile phone to be reached. Besides, that's a whole other blog post if we're going to start on him anyway.
I really don't believe that people need to use phones the way that they use phones. Don't get me wrong, they're great for emergencies. Infact, I believe in this regard they've actually saved a lot of lives. So yes, for that, then kudos to the cell phone. They're good for the quick 'Honey, we need milk/bread/eggs' phone calls that we so often make when a loved one is either on their way home or currently shopping at the grocery store. They're good for text messages - 'Running late. Be there in 10'. Simple. Effective. Precise.
Here's what they're not good for - phone calls. In public. Which are overheard by other people. Namely people, who simply don't want to hear your conversation and really don't give a shit about what's going on in your life at the moment. Yet, some people seem so damn keen on sharing. Selfishly.
Take today for example - today I took the bus to go from Point A to Point B. I normally have my iPod with me, but decided instead to take in my surroundings today to see what life had on offer. Oh my gosh... did I regret it!
There was a lady that got on the bus at the same stop as me, who wasn't on her phone when she boarded, but as soon as she sat down, well, out came the phone. She then proceeded to chat away on her cell for the next 15-20 minutes. I think it was the latter. Either way, here's the thing... me and the other 20 passengers on the bus did NOT need to hear this conversation. I know I for one could've done without it. Besides, what on earth could possibly be so important you HAVE to have this conversation while in public, on the local bus?
I didn't want to hear about her adventures from the evening before. I didn't want to hear about her recent appointment at the nail salon. I didn't want to hear about her upcoming trip to England. (Well, this part I especially didn't want to hear as I still have a soft spot for London after living there for 2 years and I miss it terribly). I didn't want to hear how she got a really good price on her flight (though, I must say, it was a REALLY good price). I didn't want to hear about the upcoming movie night in the hotel. None of this was of any interest to me and I'm pretty sure it was of no interest to the other passengers on the bus. But yet, she wouldn't shut up. And nor would she speak at a soft and respectable level. When she finally exited the bus, I muffled under my breath as she walked past 'Oh, Thank God!'. And then she had the audacity to glare at me as she left. What the hell, woman!?
On the way back from Point B, I encountered a similar case with another passanger. Granted, her conversation was only about 7 minutes in length, but it wasn't in english. Which, I'm still not sure is more or less frustrating. Either way, her pitch was far too high for my liking and alas, I had to hear her conversation too.
What is it that gives people the right to be so selfish in their actions nowadays and not take into account those around them? What makes them think that every single person wants to hear excerpts of their conversations? 'Oh, guess what Jenny, you won't believe what happened last night...', 'Hey man, you know that chick I slept with last night? I think she gave me something. I got an itch.', 'Bitch! What the hell you talkin' about? That mother fucker be playin' you for a fool. Tell him you ain't gonna put up with none a dat!'.
I mean seriously, is this something I want to hear? Is it something you want to hear? Raise your hand if it is. Yeah, that's what I thought. Private conversations are for private places.
Respect is so far out the window, it's burned a hole in the ground.
If I ever meet the man who invented them, then let him know this - my fist will be clenched. Tightly. It WILL connect with your jaw. And I WILL feel good about it.
I really do hate cell phones.
Yep! That is pretty much how I feel about them. I do not have one. I barely like talking on the phone when I am home.
ReplyDeleteI am not the best with social niceties, but when one is checking out at the grocery store, it seems wrong to be talking about nothing urgent with someone who is not even there, as your toddler fidgets in the cart, and the cashier may as well be a robot.
simultaneously connected and disengaged
Yes, I think everyone feels about the same way about cellphones. And those ear-piece things?--how rude. While its more convenient for you to use one when you're shopping, I don't want to think you are talking to me, until you turn your head, and I see the monster clipped to your ear. I don't like talking on the phone, anymore, in any capacity. Its just not my thing. I like texting, but only when its appropriate. You won't catch me texting when I'm at a job interview, or standing in line at the bank. My boyfriend's phone announces loudly,"you have a text message from Cindy Lou" each time he gets one, and: its annoying. Sometimes, it scares the cookies out of me, because its so loud and random. I would have been fine with the pager and my typewriter, if it weren't for chat and texting....sigh. I was just born during the in-between era, so adapting to all this technology has been interesting, to say the least....thanks for the post. Enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteSuzanne and Cindy - Thankyou both so very much for taking the time to read my blog. And even more importantly, taking the time to post a comment. I am so glad to find I'm not the only person out there who feels this way about cell phones. I feared, until now, I might've been. I think we are becoming so in touch with each other, we're forgetting how to be 'in touch' with each other.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for reading and letting me steal some of your time!