Fully agree and now they are even considering their use on planes. That would prevent me from flying in the future.

Its addicting. I used to substitute at a HS and the school tried to ban the cell phones with detention, etc. to no avail. Now, while the teacher tries to teach about 50% of the students are on the phone quietly texting. It became a lost cause.

At one time you could buy jammers on Ebay, they were all coming out of China, but they are illegal, especially anywhere near to anything important that could inadvertently be impacted.

Cell phone jammers ARE available. Must be imported from overseas.
Possession of one is against the law, however, they are small enough
to be easily concealed. Out of sight, out of mind. Even if the average
cop saw one, he wouldn't know what it was.

And no, I don't have one.......:o:a20::girlneener:

The worse and most annoying case of cell phone abuse in a restaurant for me was a number of years back when in a dinner. I was no further than 6 ft. if that from a woman who was talking to a toddler, YES a toddler and using baby talk. Common, do we really need someone talking goo-goo, ga-ga, coochie-coo, etc. loudly - right next to you? Jeeze-Lousie!!

I've felt tempted more than once when someone was about to answer a cell phone near me to LOUDLY say... "HEY, IF IT'S FOR ME, TELL THEM I'M NOT HERE! Too bad we can't cut a loud juicy one on demand just for those behaving badly with cell phones!

Don't get me wrong. Not all cell phone use in a restaurant or plane is bad so long as they're courteous enough to keep it low keyed, short and necessary!

Riding your bike in the street back to the square , slowing everybody else up.

A Blessing
 

Cell phones have been a blessing for us. It means that my husband does not have to be tethered to me 24/7. You see, he has lost the ability to talk because of a stroke. He knows exactly what he wants to say, but it comes out totally wrong...even nonsensical sometimes. He wears a medical ID bracelet with emergency contact numbers in it, including my cell phone. Caller ID alerts me if I need to answer a call or can just ignore it. My neighbors all know to call my cell phone if I am not home and he is and I am needed.

I know who calls just to chat, who calls to try and sell me something, and if it is a call within TV that I am not familiar with, I answer it because it could be about him. If it is not, I simply tell them that I will call back later or they can. Our medical alert system/alarm on our home phone also has my cell phone number in case of emergency. I keep my phone on vibrate when I am out and have it set to flash for an incoming call, etc. In restaurants or whatever, if I need to take the call, I step outside. When I have doctor appointments and he is not with me, I explain the situation and they are fine with it.

I agree with the unnecessary calls just to chatter. Those will wait. Emergencies will not. I do not text and drive (I am challenged enough just trying to sit on the couch and text) and am not a big fan of texting, anyway.

Please don't judge unless you know exactly someone's situation. This is the only way my husband and I can each maintain any semblance of independence. That is actually more important to him than me.

Hope this gives you a better understanding of the pros of cell phones in public.

You missed one thing...
 

You stepped in the dog's poop outside the restaurant....Ha!:girlneener:

He also slurped his soup loudly.

Yes you did. He drinks 4 beers and drives his car home over the golf cart bridge

You have good points, but I think it's pretty obvious, when someone is talking on a cell phone at a dinner table (yours or anyone's around you), what they are saying. And mostly it is unnecessary, non-emergency stuff that could very well wait for another time. Or else it's in a doctor's waiting room, talking to children/grandchildren, and you are their captive audience. And yes, they are loud.

Why not put your phone on vibrate, put it in your pocket or on the table, and then step out of the room if caller i.d. shows it's someone important you need to speak with?

Five of us were at dinner at Cody's. I knew one lady, and she had invited three friends I didn't know from PA to visit. We were all having a swell time till we got to Cody's and two of them dragged out their phones and proceeded to check their email and text people. I don't care who you are, it's just rude. I couldn't say anything because I had just met these ladies. My friend and the other person were not pleased. They were in a position to say something, but did not. Not everyone is confrontational.

Take your hat off and put your phone in it!

We were just at TooJay's. It was very crowded. I saw no men in caps and no one on their cell phone. I really don't think this is an epidemic. Much ado about nothing.

Sign a professor put up in class: "I know when you're texting because most people don't look down at their crotch and smile."

your situation and others like it are completely understandable and would be supported by us all.

We are addressing those who have no reason what so ever to have to gab in public, usually too loudly and with no concern for those around them.
They ALL know who they are!!

I couldn't agree more! Good Post!