| Remember the British noble-woman who said, re: | | | | Research group) to tell us "people are defining |
| sex, "I don't care what two consenting adults do | | | | new rules and new behavior for what's personal |
| as long as they don't do it in the street and | | | | and what's private." |
| frighten the horses"? She may have said | | | | Apparently not much is personal any more. I don't |
| "embarrass," I can't find the quote. Either will do, | | | | know about you, but I resent hearing that tinny |
| as I proceed to apply this to cell phones. | | | | William Tell Overture while I'm watching a movie. |
| I agree they're INDISPENSABLE. I'm uniquely | | | | Last year a New York City Councilman introduced |
| qualified to say so because I was a doctor's wife | | | | legislation to penalize anyone making or taking a |
| in the 60's. When he was on-call, he was chained | | | | call during an indoor performance. Pending ... they |
| to the phone, and we couldn't use it. Think I don't | | | | couldn't figure out how to enforce it. |
| appreciate call-waiting and cell phones? Think again. | | | | How about working through the pocketbook? The |
| They're invaluable for SAFETY. I routinely drive | | | | last concert I attended, the people behind me |
| from San Antonio to Dallas and at night, to avoid | | | | were drunk and disorderly. The manager said she |
| the traffic. I consider the traffic far more | | | | couldn't do anything about it. I demanded a refund. |
| life-threatening than being stranded on the side of | | | | She then seated us elsewhere, but our pleasant |
| IH-35 at midnight, THANKS TO the cell phone. | | | | evening had become a major stressor. I told her I |
| They're PRICELESS when you're lost, running late, | | | | wouldn't be back until they figured out "something |
| or have a teenager. | | | | to do". |
| They allow doctors and therapists to have a life. | | | | Apparently people are taking and making calls |
| But there are some things we needn't subject | | | | during funerals. Is nothing sacred any more? |
| others to: | | | | I'm torn because I enjoy being connected with |
| ·If I wanted to hear why your brother is an | | | | loved ones via cell phone, and I'm on-call to my |
| asshole, I'd ask you. But that's actually the kind of | | | | coaching clients. I'm all for using it to make the |
| toxic environment I try to avoid-other people's | | | | cold cruel world less so, but why not find a quiet, |
| hostility. | | | | private place? |
| ·If I wanted to be sexually aroused by | | | | Are we doing this to look important and get |
| explicit phone conversation, I'd be on | | | | attention? If you are, that's not how you appear. |
| DIAL-A-PORN. | | | | We perceive you in one of three ways -- |
| ·If I wanted to hear your personal angst, I'd | | | | ·Either you can't function alone and need a |
| be your therapist and charging you for the phone | | | | constant umbilical cord |
| call. | | | | ·Your self-esteem is so low you're desperate |
| ·If I wanted to be in the bathroom with | | | | for attention. |
| you...apparently 47% of Americans think it's fine | | | | ·You are rude, egotistical, and have no social |
| to talk on their cells "while in the rest room," and I | | | | consciousness. |
| assume this doesn't mean while they're shaving. I | | | | If you do have to take a phone call in public, you |
| find this simply incomprehensible | | | | should be apologetic about it, not proud. |
| These conversations are simply TMI. | | | | Here are some common-decency suggestions for |
| Talking on the cell phone can also ENDANGER THE | | | | use of the cell phone: |
| LIVES OF OTHERS. A 2002 study suggests that | | | | 1.By all means use the phone for essential |
| drivers talking on their cells cause 6% of auto | | | | business - this means to the point and brief. |
| accidents each year, killing an estimated 2,600 | | | | 2.Maintain a distance of at least 10' from others, |
| people and injuring 330,000. | | | | lower your voice, turn away, act like you're doing |
| And you should listen up to this: companies are | | | | something private BECAUSE YOU ARE. |
| now being held LIABLE for employees who have | | | | 3.Value the real people in your presence over the |
| accidents while driving and talking on the cell | | | | cell phone. It is RUDE to take a phone call when |
| phone. Maybe this will knock some sense into | | | | you're with someone else, with few exceptions. |
| people. | | | | 4.Doctors and expectant-fathers have |
| There are currently 120,000,000 cell phone users | | | | emergencies; you, rarely. |
| in the US, and 40 state governments are | | | | 5.Get some balance in your life. If you can't take |
| considering proposals to restrict or ban their use | | | | time off to enjoy a play or visit an art museum |
| while driving. | | | | without taking phone calls, what are you doing to |
| We are quickly moving into the realm of "frankly | | | | yourself? |
| bizarre." I had lunch yesterday next to a table of | | | | 6.Understand that we think you're rude and |
| teenagers. The entire time two of them were on | | | | egotistical when you violate common decency. |
| cell phones, and this made it too noisy for the | | | | 7. Get a quiet ringer or vibrating cell. |
| other two to talk to each other - real people right | | | | 8.Don't give your cell number to everyone. |
| in front of them. | | | | 9.Let other people know you expect to use the |
| Joanna Krotz says in "Cell Phone Etiquette ": | | | | phone with etiquette. |
| "Every executive has their can you beat this cell | | | | You know how it goes - when a few people don't |
| story? But Mary Westheimer of offers one totally | | | | behave right, rules and laws follow, and then |
| over the top: At a recent Publishers Marketing | | | | everyone gets penalized. Work for quiet, |
| Association conference, a panel member was | | | | no-phone zones, but most of all, enforce your |
| presenting his part of the event. 'His cell phone | | | | own and maybe we can avoid massive legislation. |
| rang and he stopped his presentation and | | | | It would be a shame not to be able to use your |
| answered his phone!'" | | | | cell phone in a public place in case of a real |
| We don't need an anthropologist (Robbie Blinkoff, | | | | emergency, and this is where we're headed, folks. |
| principal anthropologist for Context-Based | | | | |