Who are these people talking to??????

[Talk Host]

We've all seen it, but this morning, it really caught my attention and I kept careful watch while on my bike ride. (stopping at all stop signs mind you) Countless people talking on their cell phones while they are driving. Every other car coming out of McDonald's drive through, driving through Publix parking lot, sitting at red lights, passing other vehicles, traversing the round-a-bouts.....everywhere. A while ago up in Gainesville, my wife and I walked from a hotel to a restaurant about a mile. I counted 41 people on cell phones.

Whenever I see a person talking on a cell phone while they are driving, I get this loud message in my head "DANGER WILL ROBINSON, DANGER."

I know it's not illegal, but Just who are these people talking to? it must be mighty important. It seems to me like it's mostly women. I may be wrong about that, but that what it seems to me.

Did the indians send that many smoke signals?

There, I feel better.:a040:
JLK

[jebartle]

They are an accident waiting for a place to happen...You really have to drive defensively....Assume that everyone is out to get you.....Ugh!

[dfn8tly]

Recently a friend of mine was watching her grand daughter texting all day. She finally asked her who she was sending all those messages to. Her grand daughter gave the name of one of her best friends. My friend said "well why don't you just call her on the telephone?" Her grand daughter looked very perplexed and said "what would we talk about?"

I am clearly not understanding this generation.

[Talk Host]

I am clearly not understanding this generation.

Ain't just "this generation." Plenty of "our" generation doing the same thing.

[chuckinca]

It's illegal to hold a cell phone and talk while driving in CA. Has to be hands free operation of the phone.


.

[BogeyBoy]

It's illegal to hold a cell phone and talk while driving in CA. Has to be hands free operation of the phone.


.

Same in NY - and those are two states I frequently visit.

[memason]

OK....I'll get hammered for this, but I don't believe talking on a cell phone [hands free or otherwise] is any worse than listening intently to talk radio, searching for just the right song on the CD or talking to your spouse, while you're driving. All of these things are distractions from driving...

Now, where'd I put my cigarettes.....

[jblum8156]

One hot day last summer I parked at the supermarket next to a woman who was sitting in her car, windows closed, engine running, staying cool with the AC while she talked/texted on her cell phone. When I came out 40 minutes later, she was still at it. First I wondered what could she be talking about that long, then I thought why not shut the engine off and step inside the supermarket. I will never understand this phenomenon. Already the Post Office is shutting down because of email. Now I suppose landline telephones will cease to exist.

[justanormalgirl]

I agree, it's crazy! Maybe we should go back to the old bag phones, remember those?? I would take a bet that there wouldn't be so many talkers if they had to carry a bag phone around.

My grandson will send a text to my daughter in law from the back seat of the car or another room in the house. People are losing the normal art of conversation to cell phones.

We went to lunch one day and there was a Mother and daughter at the table next to us. The Mother was talking to her daughter about her trip to town to take her to lunch (this is a college town, the Mother made an effort to drive in from out of town for this lunch) all the while the daughter was texting away. Finally, the Mother realized the daughter wasn't listening. She got quiet and asked her daughter who she was talking to, the daughter snapped back with her reply and I could see the hurt on the Mother's face. I felt so bad for her, I wanted to tell the daughter off!

People have lost most of their manners with the popularity of cell phones, they use them in public bathrooms while 'using' the facilities, while eating and believe me hearing someone chew, magnified through a phone receiver is not a pleasant sound! Not to mention the dangers of using them while driving. We only turn our cell on if we take a trip and might need it. We do forward our home phone to the cell when we leave but whoever is driving doesn't use the phone, we either pull over to talk or the passenger takes the call and, even though my phone is capable, I don't text!

[Talk Host]

I believe there is a different level of consciousness between talking on the phone and talking to your spouse or anyone else in the car. I know what you are saying, but I can speak from personal experience that with one hand off the wheel, holding a phone to my ear, engaged in a conversation with someone far away, I am not concentrating on the road.

Think about when you are on the phone at home and somebody else in the room disrupts your conversation with a question or comment to you. It's like a lightening bolt. You lose your train of thought and rhythm with the give and take of your phone call.

On the phone, there are more levels of attention given to the conversation when compared to a face to face discussion. On the phone, you are more careful to use the proper inflection and structure because you can neither see their facial reaction, nor they yours. So, I believe phone conversations are different that "in person" ones.

Somehow, phones suck us into a dark hole while we use them, whereas speaking to someone in person is less so.

JLK

OK....I'll get hammered for this, but I don't believe talking on a cell phone [hands free or otherwise] is any worse than listening intently to talk radio, searching for just the right song on the CD or talking to your spouse, while you're driving. All of these things are distractions from driving...

Now, where'd I put my cigarettes.....

[BogeyBoy]

We are leaving on a cruise with some friends in the near future. One of their concerns is internet and cell phone service.

Although I sign up for international service it made me stop and think. Here was part of my answer to our friends:

Remember the good old days when we didn’t even have to think about this? When you were gone on an overseas vacation or on a ship you waited until you returned – or spent a fortune to make a call. I tried email back in the 80’s but my email address ended up being this:

bogeyboy@thereisnosuchthingaspublicemailyet.com.

Texting was a real challenge - I think it was called a post card.

[Taltarzac]

They seem to talk on the cell phone about anything and everything. What movie to get at Blockbuster or from a kiosk in a supermarket, grocery lists and sales, directions to a place, being late, etc.

You can get an idea of what kids might be talking about on Facebook.

[Talk Host]

When we were in Europe last summer, I forgot to turn off the data download switch on my Iphone for just the first day. I remembered after the first night and turned it off in the morning. When I got back I had an international data bill of $130..........for one day. What if I had neglected it for the entire two weeks. :eek:

JLK

[sandybill2]

Recently a friend of mine was watching her grand daughter texting all day. She finally asked her who she was sending all those messages to. Her grand daughter gave the name of one of her best friends. My friend said "well why don't you just call her on the telephone?" Her grand daughter looked very perplexed and said "what would we talk about?"

I am clearly not understanding this generation.

Same thing with my 15 yr old granddaughter---I have heard her answer her phone and then say "text me!" There is so much drama with friends, etc., at her age and I think it is because they keep in constant touch--they can respond "instantly" to something without thinking about it and sometimes it causes issues with friends, etc.

[chuckinca]

Already the Post Office is shutting down because of email. Now I suppose landline telephones will cease to exist.


Correct - we don't have a landline phone in TV and just have the basic service in CA only because our cell service isn't reliable out here in the super boonies.


.

[2BNTV]

Talking and texting on a cell phone is the new method of communication for some people. Talking and texting while driving is an accident waiting to happen. A friend of mine who's daughter is thirteen got a cell phone and when he got the first bll, it was almost $500 because of her texting. He immediately had his plan switched to unlimited texting.

I remember a time in the fifty's that my sister had spent an hour and a half talking to her girfriend on the phone. After she hung up, my father asked her who she was talking to where she was going that night.

My sister replied that she was meeting the girlfriend she was just talking to.

My fathers response was, "what the heck could you possibly talk about after spending an hour and a half on the phone with her".

[Mikeod]

OK....I'll get hammered for this, but I don't believe talking on a cell phone [hands free or otherwise] is any worse than listening intently to talk radio, searching for just the right song on the CD or talking to your spouse, while you're driving. All of these things are distractions from driving...

Now, where'd I put my cigarettes.....
I understand the aspect of concentration wandering as you describe, but what scares me with cell phones and driving is one hand is off the steering wheel!!! I've seen people in manual transmission autos holding a cell phone in one hand, shifting with the other and steering with ?????

[kentucky blue]

Saw a bumper sticker....................If you love Jesus honk, if you want to meet him use your cell phone.

[2BNTV]

Saw a bumper sticker....................If you love Jesus honk, if you want to meet him use your cell phone.

Slightly Off Subject:

I saw the same bumper sticker years ago' "honk if you love Jesus", and the person I was with honked and the guy gave him the bird!!

[BogeyBoy]

Slightly Off Subject:

I saw the same bumper sticker years ago' "honk if you love Jesus", and the person I was with honked and the guy gave him the bird!!

Maybe he was just pointing up.

[Barefoot]

I can remember my mother shaking her head and saying "What is this generation coming to?" (I was probably watching Elvis on Ed Sullivan at the time).

Before too long, the kids who spend all their time these days texting will be parents. And they'll be shaking their heads wondering what their kids are up to.

P.S. I agree talking on cell phones is dangerous, especially looking up numbers and dialing. Talking on hand-held phones while driving is illegal in Ontario.

[2BNTV]

Maybe he was just pointing up.

BogeyBoy;

Nice thought!

[BritParrothead]

$100 fine for using phone while driving, in the UK!!

[BlueHeronFan]

I was waiting for my wife one day in the car at a parking lot. Up drives this 20 something girl, cell phone in one hand talking, a cigarette in the other burning. Watching her try to park her car was worth paying money to see.

[Tweety Bird]

One hot day last summer I parked at the supermarket next to a woman who was sitting in her car, windows closed, engine running, staying cool with the AC while she talked/texted on her cell phone. When I came out 40 minutes later, she was still at it. First I wondered what could she be talking about that long, then I thought why not shut the engine off and step inside the supermarket. I will never understand this phenomenon. Already the Post Office is shutting down because of email. Now I suppose landline telephones will cease to exist.

My landline will not cease to exist because it is clearer then my cell phone which has gaps in it. And..what I like, is that hubby and I can talk to extended family on our landlines. And..we are year round. I'm sure that has a lot to do with it too.

I am also guilty of talking on my cell phone while driving. I think it's because it is boring driving and it's a good time for me to sit and talk. I also agree that it is dangerous especially if the conversation is emotional in some way. I may have to think through my actions.

[elevatorman]

One hot day last summer I parked at the supermarket next to a woman who was sitting in her car, windows closed, engine running, staying cool with the AC while she talked/texted on her cell phone. When I came out 40 minutes later, she was still at it. First I wondered what could she be talking about that long, then I thought why not shut the engine off and step inside the supermarket. I will never understand this phenomenon. Already the Post Office is shutting down because of email. Now I suppose landline telephones will cease to exist.

Did you ever think to ask, maybe she was trapped in the car.:1rotfl::1rotfl::a20:

[Sydney]

We've all seen it, but this morning, it really caught my attention and I kept careful watch while on my bike ride. (stopping at all stop signs mind you) Countless people talking on their cell phones while they are driving. Every other car coming out of McDonald's drive through, driving through Publix parking lot, sitting at red lights, passing other vehicles, traversing the round-a-bouts.....everywhere. A while ago up in Gainesville, my wife and I walked from a hotel to a restaurant about a mile. I counted 41 people on cell phones.

Whenever I see a person talking on a cell phone while they are driving, I get this loud message in my head "DANGER WILL ROBINSON, DANGER."

I know it's not illegal, but Just who are these people talking too? it must be mighty important. It seems to me like it's mostly women. I may be wrong about that, but that what it seems to me.

Did the indians send that many smoke signals?

There, I feel better.:a040:
JLK

I agree, I too keep a lookout for cell phone users etc...the following link lists cellphone laws in different states. :police:

http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx

[Barefoot]

I agree, I too keep a lookout for cell phone users etc...the following link lists cellphone laws in different states. :police:

http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx

The incredible thing about the cell phone laws is that in some states, texting while driving is legal! Or perhaps I'm misunderstanding. :jester:

[K9-Lovers]

The saddest thing I saw regarding cell phones was a couple in their late 40's dining at a restaurant. Both were on a cell phone talking to someone else. The wife ended her call, but her husband was still on his cell; she looked panicky, and started dialing someone else.

What ever happened to dinner conversation? :shrug:

[twalker919]

Same in NY - and those are two states I frequently visit.
sam in MD

[Pturner]

I was standing checking out at the grocery store yesterday when the lady behind me spoke up. She wasn't holding a cell phone. She was placing her items on the grocery belt behind the separator bar from my items. I thought she was talking to me, so I turned to ask what she had said. She just kept talking.

Then I noticed the little earpiece.

[BogeyBoy]

I was standing checking out at the grocery store yesterday when the lady behind me spoke up. She wasn't holding a cell phone. She was placing her items on the grocery belt behind the separator bar from my items. I thought she was talking to me, so I turned to ask what she had said. She just kept talking.

Then I noticed the little earpiece.

I think I would get fired my first day as a cashier. If someone was using a cell phone I would stand there and wait until they finished their conversation before I would start ringing up their purchases.

[Halle]

I think I would get fired my first day as a cashier. If someone was using a cell phone I would stand there and wait until they finished their conversation before I would start ringing up their purchases.

:agree:

I think it is so rude to ignore the cashier while talking/texting.

[kentucky blue]

Saw a bumper sticker....................If you love Jesus honk, if you want to meet him use your cell phone.

Beautiful, college honor student in Lexington, talking to her sister on cell phone didn't hear or see the train.

[Pturner]

I wasn't the cashier. I was in line in front of the lady with the bluetooth bug in her ear. I agree with you though.

[F16 1UB]

And the next time you see a cruiser, notice if they're using a cell phone. Numerous times I've seen them. But I'm sure it's official bizzness.

[Talk Host]

And the next time you see a cruiser, notice if they're using a cell phone. Numerous times I've seen them. But I'm sure it's official bizzness.

You do see lots of police on cell phones now. I agree.

They're using them rather than two way radio. Radio is public and crooks can listen in. Cell phone is privileged communication.

[whartonjelly]

I agree. My husband always has silence in the car. Rarely listens to Radio or converses. This started with saftey regulations on the railroad I think. BUT ! Maybe Road rage could be calmed with a little soothing music!

Cell phones are a working womens friend. Being able to check in with kids for locations, grociries, Dr. apppointments, etc. but i do think that MY LIFE is important, so stay off the phones when driving !!!!!

[BogeyBoy]

I wasn't the cashier. I was in line in front of the lady with the bluetooth bug in her ear. I agree with you though.

I caught that but had to add my 2 cents - it reminded me of one of those things that bug me.

[scrapple]

One day, when I was a home care nurse, I found myself talking to my next client on the cell phone while eating an apple and shifting gears in my standard and drinking a pop. I thought, "this is nuts! I'm going to get in an accident." So I smartened up and bought an automatic (true story). You know you're over the edge when you use the map as a napkin.
Sorry, I had to share. But I agree...what's so dang important that the call can't wait? It's one of the major stressors in todays society: Information Overload. We are inundated with information, can't ever seem to get any quiet time or down time. After being attached to a cell for so many years, I personally like being away from it. But I do carry it with me all the time, like when we go out on the golf cart!
Know what I think? Spouses talking in the car should be outlawed! And childred! Talk about a distraction!!! They shouldn't be allowed in the car either. Chewing gum while driving? No sireebob!

[dominick]

The people that annoy me the most are those who think that they have to scream into the phone to be heard by the party on the other end. Its particularly disturbing when they do it in a confined public place, like a restaurant or bus.