Anyone else get annoyed when the people around you are constantly on the cell phone?

[GAFarmGirl87]

I have often said I don't know whether cell phones are a blessing or a curse. The convenience of them is undeniable. When someone needs to get in touch with me, I don't have to hang around near the land line to get the call. I can call for help if I get in a pickle (I handle horses alone on a daily basis; it could happen!) As my son begins to spread his wings, the GPS in his phone means he can get where he wants to go without confusion and distraction adding to the already considerable hazards of driving in city traffic.

But I make it clear that I own the phone, not the other way around. Everyone who knows me knows that I don't answer the phone when I'm driving. I don't actually use my phone to screen calls, though it may look like it; I won't interrupt a face-to-face conversation unless I really do think it may be important. I have never understood Twitter - never mind having the time for all those tweets, I can't imagine anyone being that interested in all the boring details of my life! Besides, if I tell everyone every thought I have all of the time, and get that sort of thing back from them electronically, what in the world will we talk about when we are actually in the same room??!

Yes! Oh that is the worst - when someone interrupts your conversation to answer a phone call! Seriously? There is such a thing as voicemail - use it.

 

[Quailsong]

Pot meet kettle. It's potentially a wonderful day/night & you're on your computer complaining about people who aren't enjoying the world around them. Just thought I'd point that out, for fun.

 

[GAFarmGirl87]

I think just as bad is people who always have there TV on when people are over. I have some relatives who always have the tv on. You try to visit and they are talking then zone out. Before we even bought are house I told my husband we would NOT have a tv in any main room. We have one tv, no cable, or anything. We don't even get local channels. People seem just as addicted to TV as they are to there phones. I would rather have my kid outside in the garden or helping my husband build are duck house... which he does very well. Can't stand going to someone's house and they are zoned into the tv and it's kind of creepy seeing a small child zoned into a TV set.

yes, Yes, YES!!

I gave up cable/satellite. We have Netflix, and it doesn't get turned on every day.
I can't stand it when I visit someone else's house and they have the TV running. I've actually interrupted the conversation to ask for the volume to be muted, or the stupid thing turned off. Very rude, and gives me a headache.

 

[GAFarmGirl87]

Also, just last night on my down time I was texting my friends, which is the only time I really text. Then I realized that we are all sitting home not doing anything texting each other. Then I thought why are we texting each other instead of hanging out and talking?

Because that's not "convenient."
Hanging out in person is so much better for the soul. You get laughter, exercise, fun, etc.
But of course, I'm old fashioned, so there you go.

 

[Fierlin1182]

I'm on my mobile right now at the shopping centre, because I have an appointment here in a little while and I can't be bothered walking ten minutes to the university then coming back. I have a phone (obviously) but I mostly use it for the internet (frequent computer shortages during busy time on campus. Plus there's a great study spot on the outside stairs of the eng. building) and so my mother has a way of contacting me. We usually do our own stuff throughout the day and it's handy to be able to gather everyone up to go home in the evening. The phone isn't useful for much else because I've never had credit on it and find this to be an unnecessary pit into which to pour my money.

I agree that technology seems to be doing more harm than good these days, although it definitely has its merits when used responsibly and in moderation. The problem is that many people don't use it responsibly and in moderation. I'm still a fan of hanging out with others in person, and even though I have few friends and just a faint wisp of a social life I find interesting things to do (outside computer) in my free time, when I'm not partaking in my no. 1 hobby of studying. (Now you probably see why I have few friends.) Walking and texting, driving and texting and socialising and texting are very annoying and potentially dangerous, I agree. Seems many are rushing through life these days and forgetting to enjoy where they are and what's around them right now.

 

[Fierlin1182]

One more thing a phone is good for: taking photographs, something I use mine for extensively. Much better than our decades-old camera which packs it after taking five pics or trying to open the preview. It's also good for travelling as it's compact and light but still good quality.

 

[Farmer Mike S]

Yea I tried to make it clear that I'm not all that anti technology. While I can't say I'm proud of owning a phone, like I said I use that and my computer. But my overall point is the abuse of it. Sure a phone can be a very useful tool, but there's also a time and place for it. When you are around other people there should be more social interaction, not technology. I never go on BYC when I'm with my friends, or stop what I'm doing to check this

 

[conny63malies]

Where we live there is no cell reception and we don't live on top of each other, houses are spread apart ... THe neighbors just walk over or drive by to talk. But back when we lived in Ft Knox and other places while my husband was in the Army , he had to have a cell phone. I knew they all kind of depended on it, but luckily the house where we lived was in a low area and had spotty reception. So he had to go outside to talk.

 

[countrygirl345]

I have a flip phone too! You should consider writing dear abby, so lots of people would hear you, because this is a legit problem

 

[cluckcluckgirl]

I agree with so many of you on this point. I'm not entirely against technology either, but it does get out of hand. Phones are great for trying to get a hold of someone away from the house and things like that, but a phone was not meant to replace a human. I can't tell you how annoying it gets when you're around a group of people (who are supposed to be celebrating a special occasion) and a good 2/3 of those people have their faces glued to a phone or i-pod. I have had numerous times where someone has tried to convince me to get some social media account, but I have no interest in them. I prefer to talk to someone, either via phone or face to face. And it seems like thinking that way is getting rare now. I'm rather old-fashioned: I listen to cds and occasionally tapes.