This is a thought that I’ve been pondering over for some time; mobiles have taken over our lives, almost to the point of invasion. We use and take them everywhere we go, and many of us rarely turn our beloved handsets off. So is there a time and place for mobiles?
Well I think there is. And yes, these are another example of my “grannyish” tendencies, but hear me out.
Firstly, mobiles in the cinema! Quite possibly one of the most aggravating situations ever; you’ve paid to sit in an incredibly uncomfortable seat, to see a below par film, with an over-priced ticket. Then halfway through that moment of immense enigma, emotion and emotion the classic “doo do doo do doo do do do dooo” (Classic Nokia Ringtone), sets the whole room alive.
It’s painful, and I hate it. I’m one of those people who’ll point out their anger and frustration at such low-level rudeness as this, and will inform the owner of the mobile of where to go, and what to do with their device. I mean, after all, you have paid for the privilege of watching this film right? So surely one should be able to hear it without the disruption of dreadful ringtones, and conversation.
Secondly, restaurants; I’m not talking about somewhere like McDonalds, Pizza Hut or even Nando’s. I mean a proper restaurant, and normally ones that end up costing a small fortune. Is there anything worse than hearing someone’s phone ring during your meal? Or, even worse, if they’re having a text conversation, and don’t think to put their mobile on to silent, despite knowing that they’ll receive a reply within the next minute?
I’m actually quite sure there are plenty of other places mobiles don’t belong. Thankfully, I’ve never heard someone’s mobile go off when I go to the Library; although I’m sure the array of angered elderly people would be first to express discontent quicker than myself. Museums I think are another place that silence should be truly relinquished to its natural perfection. I don’t often get a chance to go, but when I do, there is nothing worse than hearing a badly distorted version of the current single’s chart number one blasting from an outdated Nokia or Sony.
Transport for London have a poster campaign on the buses (and Tube if my memory serves me well), which is trying to retrain us back to our pre-mobile, polite, English mannered ways. For instance, “I will not play my music aloud” and “I will not shout on my mobile” are too images or slogans used to try and keep the commuters a little sane.
Is this then proof that mobiles are finally becoming truly recognised for their vexation? Well, I think maybe so. I also don’t think this will be the last poster campaign that will try and get mobile users to be friendlier with their devices. Maybe we might see a public area where they are banned altogether.
Can you think of anywhere that mobiles don’t belong? Maybe it’s a place you frequently visit, and love, but you feel agitated by the constant buzzing of the mobile phone? Or, maybe you think mobiles do deserve a place in society, and that we have our rights to use our phone, no matter how bad in choice in ringtone we have?
Feel free to post your views, or e-mail me at samantha@smstextnews.com – let’s see if we can get a debate going!
Jonathanmacdonald on 
Again I agree with you - my phone is always on silent in cinemas and restaurants. Hospitals seem to be less bothered about mobiles these days. When I was in A+E a few weeks ago most of the people in the waiting area were on mobiles - no staff batted an eyelid! When I was in hospital last year I was amazed to see the nurses on their mobiles (on of them was on theirs for about an hour for one call!!). I must admit to using mine for mobile web and texting in my bed - it's no fun being realtively young in a ward of very ill and old people!
Posted by Kip Hakes on August 6th, 2008 at 5:23 am.For a 16 year old, you do moan alot.
Posted by The Joker on August 6th, 2008 at 6:59 am.Not as much as me
Posted by smstextnews on August 6th, 2008 at 7:05 am.Whether or not they belong there, the US Immigration people at the Canada/US border don't look too kindly at you if you whip one out.
Posted by Krystal on August 6th, 2008 at 8:31 am.Planes.
I know, i know… Not here yet… But this is most probably one of the worst ideas ever. Because as soon as it's allowed, I'll be on an overnight flight to somewhere, and wont be able to sleep because workaholic sitting next to me will be yapping international calls all through the night.
In-flight WiFi. Brilliant. Just block the skype ports…
Posted by bradjcouk on August 6th, 2008 at 11:28 am.Weddings.
Very annoying at weddings.
And, er, funerals.
Posted by smstextnews on August 6th, 2008 at 11:35 am.Whilst having dinner. Enjoy the company of your family/friends…
Posted by bradjcouk on August 6th, 2008 at 11:49 am.Border control people never look too kindly at me anyway
Posted by DanLane on August 6th, 2008 at 12:02 pm.I did say I have these grannish tendencies. I actually attract old people when I'm out and about, it's quite scary actually.
But yes, I do moan… But doesn't everyone?
Samantha.
Posted by Samantha on August 6th, 2008 at 1:46 pm.Agreed. There is nothing worse than sitting around with family, and friends and their one of their phones rings, and you're left there like a lemon. If anything else, it's rude towards the people you're out with.
Thanks,
Samantha.
Posted by Samantha on August 6th, 2008 at 1:49 pm.I've only been to two weddings, one I can't remember, the other was 2001? I can't remember a mobile going off, but the alarm on my watch did.
I have to say though, if I was to ever get married, I would ensure that everyone turned theirs all off.
I got an e-mail with funerals too. Wouldn't you feel just so awful if it was your phone?
Samantha.
Posted by Samantha on August 6th, 2008 at 1:50 pm.I said exactly the same thing when I heard about it. It's not fair to the other passengers, and once again, unneeded. Planes are too small, and too clustered as it is, we don't need mobiles invading the space too!
Thanks,
Posted by Samantha on August 6th, 2008 at 1:52 pm.Samantha.
I can't ever say that I've had that experience myself (I've never been out of Europe), but maybe it's because they want to get on with their job without having to deal with people texting and calling everyone as soon as they step off the flight. I don't know… Maybe one day I'll get the chance to ask one of them!
Thanks,
Posted by Samantha on August 6th, 2008 at 1:53 pm.Samantha.
Shopping queues when you should be paying attention to your transaction
On 6 Aug 2008, at 19:50, “Disqus”
Posted by smstextnews on August 6th, 2008 at 1:57 pm.Better than the deceased's handset ringing eh?
On 6 Aug 2008, at 19:51, “Disqus” <notifications-
Posted by smstextnews on August 6th, 2008 at 2:00 pm.Haha. But who would be buried with their mobile?
Although, I would imagine, in a really sick way, it could be quite funny though…
As for the person ringing, I hope they didn't expect a response soon!
- Back to being sincere -
Hmm, terrible!
Samantha.
Posted by Samantha on August 6th, 2008 at 2:43 pm.That annoys me too. You normally end up having to politely remind the person of where they are.
I tried texting whilst standing up on a badly driven bus earlier - that was bad. I was falling into everyone, and I kept spelling things wrong, and then swearing under my breath.
That wasn't a good plan either.
Samantha.
Posted by Samantha on August 6th, 2008 at 2:45 pm.I wonder why dan?
Krystal when i was out in asia all the borders i went through with a strick no mobile policy, even when entering back to the UK. I wonder if there is a specific reason for it?
Posted by Ricky Chotai on August 6th, 2008 at 4:45 pm.I live and work in Istanbul where mobile phone etiquette during a business meeting is very different from the UK. People don't really use voicemail here - I don't know why - and so phones tend to get answered whenever they ring even if it is in the middle of a meeting. One meeting I was at recently had four people round the table in addition to me and for a couple of minutes I was the only person not using my mobile. It was surreal, believe me. My colleagues don't understand when I explain they are being rude and think I am being really pedantic.
Posted by AJ on August 6th, 2008 at 5:54 pm.Approve
On 6 Aug 2008, at 23:55, “Disqus” <notifications-
Posted by smstextnews on August 6th, 2008 at 6:14 pm.Oh god - you just reminded me - my mobile went off when I was doing my speech at MY wedding - it was an american demanding IT support - my work had forgotton to remove me from the rota!
Doh!
K
Posted by Kip Hakes on August 7th, 2008 at 2:59 am.That must have got a response from the audience…
Posted by smstextnews on August 7th, 2008 at 3:12 am.Yep!
I turned the phone off and had a few voicemails from said angry american in the morning, glad i'm not in IT support any more! 
Posted by Kip Hakes on August 7th, 2008 at 3:17 am.Unless the ring itself comes from inside the box…
…See now I'm wondering if I'll be buried with my mobile.
That's not a good thought.
Posted by James Whatley on August 7th, 2008 at 5:07 am.You'd want a decent battery
Posted by smstextnews on August 7th, 2008 at 5:16 am.Hahaha - Yeah, I would.
“Introducing the New Nokia 666, you can take it to hell and back…”
Posted by James Whatley on August 7th, 2008 at 5:18 am.Really?
That would actually drive me insane. You should try starting any meetings with “Can you please ensure that your mobiles are switched off are on silent” or something; well I would.
That's you not being pedantic, it's plain rudeness!
Thanks,
Posted by Samantha on August 7th, 2008 at 5:32 am.Samantha.
I've noticed the exact same thing in A&E too. I remember way back when (early 2000's), when it was considered hospital endagerment to have your phone on you.
I couldn't imagine it would be fun being stuck with old and ill people. Although, old people have this attraction to me; so they'll probably enjoy it, and start telling me their life stories. It happens whenever I go out.
Samantha.
Posted by Samantha on August 7th, 2008 at 5:38 am.Hmm these weren't the sort of old people you'd chat to - you know.. the wheel was spinning but the hamster was dead… IYSWIM.
K
Posted by Kip Hakes on August 7th, 2008 at 5:51 am.You 'attract old people' ? Isn't there some sort of register for people like that
K
Posted by Kip Hakes on August 7th, 2008 at 5:52 am.Yeah there is, but they don't have them all listed apparently.
It's not just old men either… I get old ladies talking to me about Tuna too.
The whole experience is quite odd and scary; and it only seems to happen to me. I'm a Granny and weirdo magnet.
Samantha.
Posted by Samantha on August 7th, 2008 at 6:03 am.Haha.
Yes, but I mean, that hasn't stopped them before!
Crazy people have an attraction to me too. It's like they perfectly time their days out so that they can meet me on buses, bus stops, and any of the shops I'm at.
Samantha.
Posted by Samantha on August 7th, 2008 at 6:05 am.*NOTE TO SELF* Never go out with Samantha.
;o)
K
Posted by Kip Hakes on August 7th, 2008 at 6:05 am.Haha.
It's true though.
I was sitting on a bench with some friends yesterday, and this old, crazy, babbling old man came and sat next to me. There were plenty of other benches to choose, but no… He had to sit next to me.
Samantha.
Posted by Samantha on August 7th, 2008 at 6:11 am.But what phone did he have?
Posted by smstextnews on August 7th, 2008 at 6:18 am.Erm, I didn't really stick around long enough to ask.
Actually, we have a local legend by the name of the Wizzard Man where I live - I'll have to find out what mobile he has.Then again, he claims to have magical powers, so he might not even need one.
Samantha.
Posted by Samantha on August 7th, 2008 at 6:31 am.Everyone does it - not just my colleagues. The more important the meeting or the more money that is involved, the worse it gets. My colleagues thinks I am being really quaint and oh-so-English (I am not English) when I mention it - they just don't get it at all. It is easy to deal with when it is one of my colleagues but external meetings are a different matter. It would be like asking them to stop smoking in a meeting (another gripe).
Moaning about mobile usage can be a bit pedantic though - complaining about people using mobiles in public spaces such as on the tube/bus or in a restaurant (as long as they are discrete) seems a bit over the top to me although I realise I am definitely in the minority on that one.
Posted by AJ on August 7th, 2008 at 8:54 am.Actually - Trains can be annoying too - especially when - like me - you have to endure some gobby Essex Caaaaaaaw 'aving a domestic for the entire 30 minute journey to Liverpool Street. Such classic lines from her maaauuuuf as - 'I wozzzant shaaaating I woz taaaaallllking atcha laaaaaaadly' - 'I 'it you cos I woz cross at 'cha' - 'Dontcha use that sorta tone wif me ya caaant'. Delightful
Posted by Kip Hakes on August 7th, 2008 at 9:29 am.It all blends into the background for me - maybe I lived in London too long.
Posted by AJ on August 7th, 2008 at 11:00 am.RING RING
Posted by smstextnews on August 7th, 2008 at 11:11 am.I think the gym is a bad one all around. People talking on their cell on the treadmill, etc. or carrying it around while lifting weights, checking mail between sets, etc. The gym should be a mental and physical escape from all that IMHO…..not to mention how annoying it is for others and the potential for damage to the phone.
Posted by Ron Feldman on August 8th, 2008 at 1:54 pm.I definitely agree with you about the movie theater. And to be even more grannyish-er, I also hate when screens light up around me, even if they don't ring. In a dark theater, it's very distracting!
Posted by Megan on August 8th, 2008 at 2:29 pm.Approve
On 8 Aug 2008, at 20:30, “Disqus” <notifications-
Posted by smstextnews on August 8th, 2008 at 6:33 pm.