Cellphones Crowned Kings Of Rudeness
from the bend-the-numbers dept
The most commonly occuring rude behavior in America is people having loud cellphone conversations, according to the latest hard-hitting poll from 20/20. Of course, this is a bunch of freakin' B.S. -- oh wait, apparently people find that type of "near-cursing" really rude, too. It's mildly interesting that poor phone behavior topped the list, but this is a strange survey. People were just asked to indicate how often they saw five particular behaviors in public, with the person that wrote the survey, rather than the respondents, determining what exactly "rude" is. Of course, the second most frequently occuring behavior was "being rude and disrespectful", which would seem to encompass everything on the list. So perhaps it coming in second indicates that people aren't as annoyed by cellphone conversations as 20/20 would like to make out.
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Why the hate?
slow news day eh?
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Re: Why the hate?
Given the latitude that can be taken with most 'studies' and polls, everything can be set-up in a way to recieve the results desired. Simply in the wording of the question or the ordering of the options (or even the provision of the options) can sway poll-takers in the direction desired.
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Re: Why the hate?
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Re: Why the hate?
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Re: Why the hate?
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Re: Why the hate?
No one should have to be forced to "deal with" inconsiderate people. And that's the whole root of this thing.
It doesn't matter if you're using technology or not when you're being inconsiderate and rude. The only thing that matters is whether you strive to respect other people, in ALL things that you do.
I expect that by your "change happens" comment, you were referring to technological changes and the way technology is so pervasive in today's society. But this is not the core issue. The core issue has not change one whit, throughout human history: it is called the Golden Rule. This remains constant, and it will continue to remain constant throughout ANY new technological means of communicating with one another. I think some people get so enamored with their use of "cool tech" as opposed to traditional means, that they forget that the rules of decency do not change one way or another.
No one is against the use of cell phones in general. But there is a right way to use them and a wrong way, and a time and place for everything.
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Re: Why the hate?
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Re: Why the hate?
Actually, it sounds like from what you described, if that's all you do, then you're doing it in an inoffensive way, not inconsiderate. But surely you have encountered such people -- those that are obnoxious, inconsiderate, loud, inappropriate and rude...cell phone users and otherwise. And surely you would have to agree that those people need a behavior adjustment. Those are the people we are addressing here.
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Re: Why the hate?
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Re: Why the hate?
Oh, and as far as picking on the younger generation, I was not picking on any particular age group. Despite the bias that the article seems to have, inconsideration for others spans generations. For one example, there are plenty of middle-aged businesspeople that ride my train that would fit the "loud, inconsiderate and obnoxious" description. Unfortunately, it's not just kids.
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Re: Why the hate?
The day the general population of Earth considers and worries that public cell phone use rude, is the day the human species is doomed. We have much more pressing issues to worry about.
If you're pissed off at people using cell phones in public, GET OVER IT. They're not going away. Get off your high horse, ignore the guy on his phone in the next isle, make your purchase and get the hell out of the store.
If the cashier thinks you're rude, so what? You're not there to make friends with them, or to tell their life story, or to tell them where you're having chest pains.
How come nobody has said anything about Nextels? For those of you who don't know, Nextel is the nation's largest walkie-talkie service provider. Those I can see people getting annoyed about, simply because you can hear two ends of the conversation, usually very loudly. I myself am a Nextel user and I take it off speakerphone if I'm in public, because I know how annoying it is. However, if you get bent out of shape and your day is ruined because of 'rude cell phone behavior' you've got some problems. If you think the Nextel is annoying, fine, but once again, they won't stop using it, and they're not going away, so get used to it. It's not your phone; it's theirs.
You guys need something else to worry about.
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Re: Why the hate?
>If the cashier thinks you're rude, so what? You're not there to >make friends with them, or to tell their life story, or to tell them >where you're having chest pains.
Kyle, you and your ilk are not part of the solution. You are the problem. Instant Karma's going to get you. Have you never wanted to be out with your family/SO/friends/etc, and to be able to enjoy a dinner/show/etc. without being rudely interrupted by some loudmouthed lout on a phone?
The underlying problem is that technology provides a means for people to amplify their behavior - When they take advantage of whatever tech, without considering how it affects those around them, the "me me me, don't care about others" attitude is all too apparent.
And Kyle, it's an "aisle", not an 'isle", though perhaps an "isle" is where some of the worst cell phone offenders should be sent :-)
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Re: Why the hate?
Sure, if I believed in that superficial crap.
And I've been out all the time with friends, family and my significant other and I've never once had a 'ruined' experience because of someone on their cellphone. Why? Because getting bent out of shape about that is a waste of time.
But thank you though, me and 'my ilk' are quite contempt with it.
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Re: Why the hate?
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Re: Why the hate?
Sounds like you're content with your contempt.
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Re: Why the hate?
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Re: Why the hate?
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cell phone conversations are rude
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Re: cell phone conversations are rude
Also, he's not denying that cellphones are rude, but the way the study was conducted is very questionable.
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Re: cell phone conversations are rude
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Re: cell phone conversations are rude
But cell phones are just the most recent and most common manifestation of widespread, boorish behaviour, resulting from the perception that many people seem to have that "when in public spaces, one should become as loud and expansive" as possible. Loud talk (and cell phones) in movie theatres; extremely loud music in the streets and on public transportation; loud, obnoxious behaviour at campsites (particularly at night); and so on. I had always been taught that in public spaces that you should contain your noise to your own circle, not inflict it on everyone else. Cell phones, boom boxes, loud talk...it's all of a piece with a belligerent insistance that one's individual perogatives always trump consideration for the rights and sensibilities of others.
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On cellphones
I disagree. People are certainly annoyed.. they're just polite enough not to say anything most of the time. They then go on about their business.
Why should society tolerate loudmouths on a cellphone? We shouldn't. When talking on a cellphone, you should be considerate of those around you. Even though you may not mind, others around you do not wish to hear of the trivial affairs of your pointless life.
There is a time and place for everything. Bed for sleeping and sex, the table for eating.. and a room out of earshot for yakking on the phone.
Be kind. Remember to STFU.
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Re: On cellphones
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cell phone
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Hilarious
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Cell phones..
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No Subject Given
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Ain't it the truth
1. Idiots talking loudly on cell phones.
2. Idiots on Bluetooth headsets, who tend to talk even louder than the idiots in #1.
3. Idiots wearing both Bluetooth headsets and iPod earbuds AT THE SAME TIME (yes, this is more common than you'd think), talking even LOUDER than idiots #1 and #2.
4. Add about another 5-10 decibels if any of the above idiots happen to be black. (This is not a racist statement. Just a fact from about 20 years of train-riding experience.)
5. Add another 3-4 points to the idiot score if any of the above have a disco ringtone.
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Re: Ain't it the truth
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Re: Ain't it the truth
If you don't like that comment, then ride my train for 20 years and come back to me. Until then, my remarks stand.
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Re: Ain't it the truth
I fully realize that I am painting broad strokes. Of course I am. I also fully realize that not all blacks are that way, as I already addressed. My black coworkers -- the people that I ride with every day -- also fully realize that, and agree with me.
To address your statements, though: When I used the word "everyone" -- yes, it is quite fair to state that it annoys everyone else on the train, except for the ones being obnoxious, of course. This is a factual and reasonable statement, and while of course I can only speak for myself here, yet I know that am far, FAR from being alone.
As far as "it being so" because many co-workers agree with my statement: it goes far beyond that. As I just mentioned, it's not just coworkers. So yes, if the vast majority of people are annoyed with these people as I am, then yes, "it is QUITE so."
I never said that the conductor NEVER has to speak to a non-black person. I just alluded to the fact that black people get spoken to by the conductor more often than any others. Same type of argument as the statement, "Not all Muslims are terrorists. But almost all terrorists are Muslims." Both are completely factual statements -- matter-of-fact observations, devoid of any racist or (in the case of the terrorists) religious bias whatsoever. It just is.
So once again: ride my train for 20 years, and then come back to me. Until then, NOTHING you say will make me change my statements.
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Re: Ain't it the truth
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Re: Ain't it the truth
Read your words...NOW, you qualify your comments by adding (not all) members of an ethnic group. You didn't make that distinction before. Have you thinking about your position eh? Hmmm...mission accomplished!
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Re: Ain't it the truth
Item #4 follows items 1 through 3; it doesn't stand on its own. Therefore, the person has to be loud and annoying on the cell phone already. That was one of the criteria. Ergo, I was, by definition, limiting my statement to only to those people that are rude, obnoxious and/or annoying on the cell phone. Once that criteria is met, then yes, add another 5-10 decibels if that obnoxious, loud, annoying person also happens to be black.
I am afraid your are just whistling in the wind, John. I repeat, again -- you are not going to get me to take back my statements. You belong to one of those "habitually offended" groups that demand that other people conform to their over-sensitivities and PC pomposity. And then when they don't, you automatically scream epithets such as "racist!" at them in an attempt to shame them into submission. I do not bow to nor apologize to the habitually offended.
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Re: Ain't it the truth
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Re: Ain't it the truth
Like I said...ride my train for 20 years, and then come back to me. I stand 100% by my previous comments, and will never bow to the habitually offended. I believe that you, sir, are the one that needs an attitude adjustment. Or perhaps just a widening of perspective.
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Re: Ain't it the truth
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Re: Ain't it the truth
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Aren't we biased
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not always rude
I don't think its the fact that you're using a cell phone, but more that some people do it very loudly. If you keep the conversation at a normal voice level there should be no problem.
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Re: not always rude
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Re: not always rude
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No Subject Given
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The Technology contributes to the problem
This lack of sidetone and coupled with weak signal issues, cause even non-boorish people to talk loudly. The phone sounds dead, and along with that common dialog is "what? I didn't hear that!" just makes people talk louder.
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Re: The Technology contributes to the problem
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No Subject Given
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Re: No Subject Given
You're trying to use the old, "Well, at least they didn't murder anybody!" argument. Entirely beside the point.
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Re: No Subject Given
If cops spent more time working cases like these or theft rings or anything of the sort really our country would be a better place. Violence is a much bigger problem. I will say I had an accident because of some ritzy lil school girl on her cell phone and hate to say it, but at that time years ago the insurance industry said they wanted this legislation. Who wins business or insurance?
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Re: Method used in Survey
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Re: No Subject Given
Once again, and slowly: No one -- repeat, no one here -- was arguing that violence is a lesser problem than cell phones.
Rather than refuting what I had said, your comment, "violence is a much bigger problem," actually served to be another EXAMPLE of the "Well, at least they didn't murder anybody!" argument that I had mentioned.
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Probably getting off topic...
The other problem with cell phones was hit right on the head earlier. They provide a means of amplification of already present behavior.
The reason there was such an aggressive reaction was because someone tried to tell someone else what to do. Welcome to human nature. Someone says, "Don't be rude," to which someone replies, "You can't make me." Does anyone catch the irony in that?
With the moral (and apparently grammatical) decline western culture is experiencing, it's no surprise to find people who will so aggressively defend their "right" to impose themselves upon others.
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No Subject Given
The only thing worse than loud public cell-phone conversations is a loud cell-phone conversation in a public restroom. Every other day it seems that someone walks into my office building's main restroom and takes a piss while having a loud business discussion on his phone; I'm guessing that what's coming out of his mouth is about as valuable as what's coming out of his penis. Worse still is the guy who has the loud cell-phone conversation while defecating; how are these guys explaining the pauses and "sound effects" along the way?
Of course the worst offenders are people who use their goddamn fucking cell-phones while trying to perform complex maneuvers on the road. These idiots are directly threatening my life and the lives of my family members. I would whole-heartedly support legislation to arrest and punish cell-phone use while driving in a similar fashion to drinking while driving. These dangerous individuals desperately need to be removed from the gene pool.
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Re: No Subject Given
Natural Selection is a wonderful thing. Just try to stay out of their way until they drive themselves off the cliff/into the semi/through the median.
On another note, when I mentioned my friend's loud cell use, she said "when I cant hear the other person, I talk louder." Oh yeah, that's just classic.
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