NationStates Jolt Archive

What do people think of the use of phones in public? I used to hate it myself, and found it intrusive when people started shouting the most pointless things when you're trying to have a little peace and quiet. Conversations on trains like this:
"Hello Darling, I'm on the 1733 train.
"What? No, there's no delay.
"Yes, that does mean I'll be home at precisely the same time as I always am, and so there is no point to this phone call at all. I just wanted to bother everyone else on the train by shouting down my phone."

Recently, though, I've come to quite like them, as they can prove a welcome distraction to the boring nature of train journeys. I once sat all the way from Bristol to London opposite a David Brent wannabe ("nah, don't say that, I'm not that good. Oh, ok, go on then. Yeah? Really? Nah, stop, you're making my head big. Oh, go on if you want to, don't make me stop you” etc).

I think the most astonishing phone call I ever listened to was a journey to Canterbury when a girl opposite me spent the entire time breaking up with her boyfriend on the phone. How low is your embarrassment threshold is you can do something so personal with everyone listening? How special was the relationship if you do this while you've got a gap on the train?

So, what do you think? Are these calls the most annoying thing in the world and the people who make them a worthy reason for the reintroduction of the death penalty, or are they a welcome distraction? Is it a personal right for the person on the phone or should people be more considerate of the world around them?

Trains should have these devices to block cellphones! as should public transport as should... everything!

Meh, mobile phones are useful. The only thing that ever annoys me is when little kids start showin off their ringtones. But that's only cos they all seem to insist on playing them all at once.

And how is talking on a mobile phone more annoying than two people having a conversation? Should we stop people talking in public places too?

If you've ever seen the show Trigger Happy you know how annoying cell phones can be in public. They just make a mockery of all phones by using a huge ass phone the same size as the guy and actually call it in public places. This, is very annoying. But the size of the phone doesn't really matter, and neither is the talking. It's just how loud people are. Honestly, do you *need* to be abusing someone verbally while watching a movie? There's other time for that. In my opinion, yes Cell Phones are helpful, yes, they could be used in times of emergency, but pointless and random calls that only make the tumor you got from oppressing your tormented life bigger are just not necessary. C'mon people, let's keep the tumor the size of a quarter.

And how is talking on a mobile phone more annoying than two people having a conversation?

Because you can only hear one side of the conversation.


Mobile phones don't hugely bother me though. Except when I hear of young children having one, simply because I cannot imagine any reason to have one at that age.

Can’t stand cell phones and unless my job required it I won’t ever get one. If you’re on call they allow you to leave home and have a life, but if you’re just using them for idle chitchat it’s a waste of time.

I’ve been out to coffee with friends who spend half the time text messaging each other about every stupid thing that pops into their head. It’s really annoying and a major reason why I don’t hang out with those people anymore. I get pretty tired of inane cell phone conversations on the bus too, since it’s a confined area and already socially awkward enough for most people. At least on the street you can choose to be elsewhere. People also get phone calls in places like Libraries and all of a sudden start talking loudly like someone has suddenly given them permission (that and loud, cheesy ring tones get on my nerves).

Because you can only hear one side of the conversation.


Mobile phones don't hugely bother me though. Except when I hear of young children having one, simply because I cannot imagine any reason to have one at that age.

Surely only nosy people feel put out by only hearing one side of a conversation ;)

If you've ever seen the show Trigger Happy you know how annoying cell phones can be in public. They just make a mockery of all phones by using a huge ass phone the same size as the guy and actually call it in public places. This, is very annoying. But the size of the phone doesn't really matter, and neither is the talking. It's just how loud people are. Honestly, do you *need* to be abusing someone verbally while watching a movie? There's other time for that. In my opinion, yes Cell Phones are helpful, yes, they could be used in times of emergency, but pointless and random calls that only make the tumor you got from oppressing your tormented life bigger are just not necessary. C'mon people, let's keep the tumor the size of a quarter.

I love Trigger Happy TV!
'HELLLOOO!? NO, I'M ON A BUS! NO, A BUS!! YA IT'S CRAP!'

People on the phone aren't that loud, not that I've ever noticed. And ya, it is annoying when they're using they're phone in the middle of a movie or something like that.

Surely only nosy people feel put out by only hearing one side of a conversation ;)


Well, I'm not sure what it is like in Ireland, but in Britain there are a plethora of magazines available that cater to the nosy, and they have fairly good circulation ;)

Well, I'm not sure what it is like in Ireland, but in Britain there are a plethora of magazines available that cater to the nosy, and they have fairly good circulation ;)

We import most of the English ones, and just change the price to euro. I don't think we have any of our own.

Personally, I don't mind speaking on the phone while on the bus or in the train. I don't like talking on the phone while walking in the street, though. It's just too distracting. and I don't like people who do it, because you always have to watch out for them, you can't predict their next step.

The good thing about being a German in Ireland is that many of my private phone calls are in German. So, no eavesdropping for the general public :D

Meh, I like mobiles. Especially as I don't have a landline, so if I want to make a call it's either my mobile or a long hike to the phone box. And text messages are useful. You get record of phone numbers, meeting places and times. Stuff like that, so you don't have to rely on your memory (my memory is not the best).

Mobiles are class. Sitting in my room, I never hear the landline ring, so the mobile makes talking much easier. Plus I get to be lazy and not get off my arse :D

People using their mobiles aren't any more annoying that people holding normal discussions.
Actually, the latter is even more anoying in most casesas severaly people shouting are much worse than a single person on the mobile :rolleyes:

People using their mobiles aren't any more annoying that people holding normal discussions.
Actually, the latter is even more anoying in most casesas severaly people shouting are much worse than a single person on the mobile :rolleyes:
Along this line, I'm also on the mobile side of the fence. At least if the discussion/argument gets really heated on a mobile, the person can always (and, where I'm from, usually does) just hang up. If it's two people out in public having the same discussion, it'll only elevate.

So yes, I'm all for mobiles.

I don't mind it. Unless they're screaming to their phone, then the only thing I want to do is bash their head in.:D