[MartinSE]

Originally Posted by Pairadocs

I understand the writer, you have to have the experience of trying to read a book at any pool. People in the pool talking, fine, no problem, Children at family pool laughing and playing, fine, no problem, normal pool noises of splashing water, PLUS the non stop playing of the Villages radio station, no problem... but when you add the people who sit on the next lounge, or the ones three lounges down, who shout non stop into their phones, often conversations you wish there was someway to block out, well, the only answer is swim ear plugs, they do help. Good thing because I truly doubt that people will ever quit sharing some of their very personal conversations with the world around them. Personally, I prefer to do that at home, or away from others, but I understand I am very much in the minority. I have always been known as a cheerful, non complaining, glass half full person, and I don't want to change now in retirement. But...I find it so disappointing to have lunch with a friend, and have the entire time punctuated with "on, sorry, hold on, got to take this". One adult child, grandchild, friend, etc. after another, while they laugh and talk and I eat...LOL. I intentionally leave my phone in the car when I met friends for dinner, or coffee, or go to someone's home for a gathering. I absolutely DO understand those who have a seriously ill spouse, or may be waiting for a "lab" result, but honestly, these kinds of true emergencies are not the "norm". I'm sure with will draw many hateful comments as some are nearly physically attached to their cell phones, but I mean no disrespect to anyone, just one (probably the ONLY) person who would like to return to the "early days" of cell pones when they were not used to solve the problem of "boring sermons", or disappointing plays or movies, or a way for students to make it through uninspiring classroom lectures.

I have no issue with what you say here, but still, banning phones because? In a community of grump old people, everything will offend someone. Where do we stop it?

Personally, I think people should be banned from talking to a neighbor that is across the street, why is it so hard to walk over and talk like normal people. They should be banned because I don't like it?