Just Put Down the Phone
I have to admit it, I hate cell phones. Yes, I have one. But I hardly ever use it and don't usually answer it when it rings, beeps or buzzes. (I always call back, though.) I think these little pieces of biohazardous waste are one of, if not, the worst inventions in recent memory. They have not only caused a more insular society (and cancer, it seems), they have increased the rudeness and insensitivity of those who use them. Although there are more (sort of) useful features that come with cell phones these days, the main problem remains - users talking on them - EVERYWHERE.
Recently, however, I came across some tasteful and tactful signs that can help dissuade this menace. Read on.
A few years ago, Coudal Partners (who created the "Society for Handheld Hushing") came out with these kitschy PDF cards that you print, cut-out and flash at or give to those cell phone deviants. They're very clever and, although I've never used them (yet), I think they could go a long way at a café or on the bus. You might get the finger, but that's the chance you take for maintaining some sort of societal order.
You may not only flash a relatively friendly "SHHH" card at an idotic cellphone user, you can also use the check-the-boxes or fill-in-the-blank versions so as to more customize the card for the violator. Regardless, they're clever and, boy, are they needed.
I think these cellphone etiquette cards are too tame for today's conditions. There needs to be a way to "taze" people who don't turn off their phones at a public meeting or other gathering, after being reminded many times. Cellphones' signals should also be shorted-out when being used in close quarters, like buses or in elevators - an eardrum-piercing shriek in the abuser's head would probably suffice.
Let's face it, until the day comes when morons with cellphones realize that their phone calls, especially at high volumes, are really bothersome and that other people don't want to be held hostage by their personal shit, we'll just have to deal with it. Unless we can band together and make real changes.
Like taking the phone and conversation outside with the smokers. Hey, that just may be a workable solution.
Hey, just carry one of those with you. Flash card is old technology!
;)
see: http://www.phonejammer.com/cell-phone-jammer/p2jbz-r.asp
Funny article, I can totally relate.
My biggest cell phone pet-peeve is when people are yapping away while driving.
Being from Jersey, we have a bad enough rep as it, and now it's complete worsened by people being distracted behind the wheel. It's against the law even, but I can garantee that on every trip down the highway I'll be nearly hit by someone on a phone.
These cards should have a paper-airplane version I can toss into their windows.
Kind of counter-productive but it gets the point across. Five lanes of traffic.
Har.
I've met a few people who will speak to you on the phone like you're a piece of crap, but are very civil when face to face. I guess the mentality is that when they are having a conversation on the phone, because they are speaking into a machine they seem to be under the impression that they are talking to one.
Not gonna get rid of my phone, I need it. When it comes to loud and rude - we have to realize, maybe they can't hear the other person on the phone, which means they need to turn up the volume - and they could be going deaf (as in listening to their stereo speakers too loud and damaged the ears) but we could just walk up and say "shush please". This way, we aren't being RUDE too. But hey, you're right about loud chatters, but lets also look at the way people park in parking lots - as in take up two spots - because they don't want people to park too close to their vehicle as if they were entitled to be stupid!
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Delightful! ...I'm proud to say I recently ditched the cell for a land line and I don't miss it one bit! I remember now how I used to get along just fine without being bothered in the middle of outings!
Why in the world would one want to use "tasteful" signs to dissuade cell phone jerks? They are almost immune to any sort of subtlty, so let's just tell them, "Shut up." In a larger sense, though, I object to the posted signs on design grounds. The colors seem selected for their ability to fade into the background. The multiple shh shh one was as aggravating in its way as a cell phone user would be. I discuss some of this at greater length in malistration.blogspot.com
MORE SIGNS PLEASE - like put the phone down and drive! The only thing we should be doing while driving is ......DRIVING!