Posted on 11/22/2005 9:04:49 AM PST by Sonny M
DEAR ABBY: I'm writing about cell phone conversations in a public eatery. Granted, most of the time it can be avoided -- and should be. However, there are exceptions, and bystanders should not be so judgmental. I'm a hospice nurse and am often on call, yet not at the office. I must take the calls I receive and often work through complex problems on the phone, no matter where we are or what we are doing. Sometimes the calls are quite lengthy; sometimes there are none at all. Bystanders who might judge my cell phone use do me a great disservice, and likewise people in other professions. My family is just glad that I can go out and enjoy time with them, even when I'm "working." They appreciate what I do and are proud that I give these worthy patients attention when they need it. Please consider that when you are a bystander, you might not know the "rest of the story." -- NURSE IN ADA, OKLA.
DEAR NURSE: While your cell phone use in restaurants might be necessary, you know as well as I do that most conversations aren't. You are the exception. Read on:
DEAR ABBY: After reading about obnoxious cell phone use in your column, I had to share something I saw. I was waiting in line at a bank while a mother on a cell phone was doing her transactions. Her 10-year-old daughter was at her side.
The mother was in not one, but two conversations: "Yeah, yeah, that's right. No, no, I was talking to HIM. OK, fine! No, no, I was talking to HER." Finally finished and still talking, the woman walked outside, and I went to the teller's window.
I quickly finished my business and noticed the daughter was still standing next to me. I took her outside and found the mother getting into a convertible, still on the cell phone, as was the (male) driver. As the child and I neared the car, I realized the two adults were talking to each other! -- ANDY IN TUCSON
DEAR ABBY: I informed my 17-year-old daughter that when we are together, it's offensive and rude for her to be on the cell phone. I don't mind a quick, "I'm having dinner with my mom; I'll get back to you later." I give her the same respect, even when her father calls me. In other words, all members of this family extend the same courtesy to each other. -- THERESA IN SUGARLAND, TEXAS
DEAR ABBY: I work in retail, and this has happened to me. When a customer approaches me while talking on a cell phone and tries to hand me the merchandise, I smile and say, "No, don't give it to me yet! Finish your call. It must be important." Then I just stand there. I'm always polite and cordial, and you'd be amazed how quickly they get the "hint." -- LOVES MY JOB
DEAR ABBY: An old boss invited me out to lunch; however, within only a few minutes of our being seated, he took a cell phone call. I sat there for 20 minutes trying not to listen in, then finally I got up, walked out and went home. He called me later, upset that I had "abandoned" him. My response: "I thought we were having lunch together, but you were busy." We've had lunch several times since, and he always turns his cell phone off as we take our seats. -- READER IN THE SOUTHWEST
DEAR ABBY: I have a suggestion. If you notice someone ignoring his or her dinner companion and talking at length on a cell phone, it might be a kindness to invite the ignored person to join you. Not only could you make a friend, the rude person might get the hint that such behavior is unacceptable. -- TERI IN LYNN, MASS.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Write Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
ping.
People using cellphones in eateries wouldn't be such a problem if they didn't TALK SO LOUD.
As a matter of respect to other patrons, If I must talk to someone on my cell phone, I go outside, and talk to them, if its not necessary, I just tell them I will call them back.
I don't see why this is so hard a concept.
I agree about the loudness. As long as a cell phone conversation is no louder than a couple at the next table having a face to face conversation I really don't see how it is any more offensive. We can't expect people to sit in complete silence with each other while they eat.
I suppose that, lacking the communicative avenues of facial expression and body language telephone conversations tend to get louder than face to face talk.
Right. It's because cell phones don't have feedback; unlike a wired phone you don't hear your own voice in the speaker. As a result people unconsciously and unnecessarily talk louder. This will hopefully become less of a problem as we get rid of land lines altogether and retrain ourselves to use appropriate volume levels.
try one of these....
http://cgi.ebay.com/CELL-PHONE-JAMMER-25-Meter-Range_W0QQitemZ5830560963QQcategoryZ1503QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
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