a need for CELL PHONE Etiquette

[Allyssa]

I was at a store in my neighborhood just the other day when a kid (post teenage) was yapping on his cell phone. Every swear word known spewed from his mouth as if no one was there. His loud converstation continued throughout the store as he looked for items he needed to get. The store was very busy with many customers that had their children along. He was so arrogant and didn't give one concern for the people that could plainly hear his "Trash-mouth" yapping. He then became increasingly aggitated when he had to wait in a line at the check-out.... while continuing with the talk (swear words and all) on his cell phone.

This isn't the first time experiencing this type of situation, and so I've come to the conclussion that: Having the adult responsibilities of maintaining a cell phone should come with the responsibility of respecting others in public places as well.

It's a form of "public lewdness", a drunk wouldn't be able to get away with it, so why should a sober person on a cell phone be any different?

[Cyburbia]

Thank God the Nextel craze hasn't hit Buffalo, at elast when I was last there.

When I was living in Florida, I was in a part of the Orlando metro area where the popualtion was dominated by those wotking in the building trades and construction industry. You couldn't go anywhere around there without hearing a Nextel bleep, followed by someone having a loud walkie-talkie conversation. Even in the movies ... "BRRREEP! Randy did you get the g*****m Bobcat from Sunbelt Rentals yet BRRREEP!" Nobody cared about it much, because EVERYBODY had a Nextel.

[Allyssa]

Cyburbia


....Shhh, don't say it too loud... nextel two-way radios hasn't hit here yet, i don't wanna be jinxed. ;) (wink)

We're living in the rudest society... people are all "gimme, gimme, gimme" all for "ME" like they're all that matters, I know it's good to have self-confidence... but some people are just plain conceded!!! :rolleyes:

[Grumpy]

<<We're living in the rudest society... people are all "gimme, gimme, gimme" all for "ME" like they're all that matters>>

Hmmm... it's really about perception. Some might say the same thing about you and your crusade to keep open two South Buffalo libraries regardless of the fiscal realities of the region.

[Curmudgeon]

Thank you Grumpy. I've grown weary of pointing out the obvious to some of these folks. It's good to be able to share the burden of exposing common sense here. Your efforts are appreciated.

[Allyssa]

Yes, but I have enough common sense not to say... "son of a B(leep), Sh*t, I wanna F*^!ing Keep my D*mned, F*^!ing Library open" in front of children; I wouldn't even say it in a room full of adults.

AND ....for give me for "Pointing out the obvious" but this is a thread about cell phone Etiquette, right???

[WNYresident]

OK people play nice... and yes this forum is about cell phone usage. If Grumpy would like to start a forum about whiners, start one. ;)

Who has noticed a revenue source buffalo police haven't tapped into yet?

Apparently they can't see very well because haven't you noticed a LOT of people talking on the cell phones driving? I mean i don't even have to try to spot them, they are everywherre. Isn't that 100 bucks a ticket? Couldn't they add the budget by pullling these people over? They are everywhere.

[Grumpy]

Again, it is a matter of personal perception. Who decides what words are allowed and what isn't? The type of phone conversation you mention wouldn't offend me in the least. But if I walked into a church, synagogue, or other place of worship, I'd hear a lot of words that would personally offend me.

I'm not saying that speaking that way in public is necessarily a good thing, but I hear a lot of moralistic, self-righteous conversations all the time in supermarkets and retail outlets that I find much more offensive.

[Allyssa]

WNYresident,

good point, the city could raise so much money if there was inforcing of the cell phone w/driving law. I clearly see about 100 people breaking this law a day just on my street alone. And too, I don't even have to look for them.

Though, I think it's more of the conversation that is the distraction than the actual one handed driving. I know of many excellent drivers, whom of which don't follow the 10 & 2 o'clock rule of driving. Yet some people become more unfocused to the road when a conversation is occuring, they're attention of the talk is more important than what's in front of them.

[Grumpy]

if the cops would leave the donut shops long enough to do their job, the city could raise all sorts of money by actually enforcing the law.

i know at least a dozen people in the last five years that have received speeding or other traffic tickets who went to the courthouse instead of paying them because they didn't think the cops would show up. all but one of them won because they contested the ticket and the cop didn't bother to show so the judge threw out the ticket.

this sort of thing goes on all the time. the worst thing about one person patrol cars is that now there will be twice as many cars at the donut shops.

[sbGUY27]

I thought the city did not get anymoney from cellphone tickets.
I thought that it all went to the state.

And if that is the case I don't want to see cops pulling over the users.

And by the way cops are pulling them over. My best friend was just pulled over and falsely accused of talking on the phone. He was resting his head with his hand and elbow on the armrest.
A lady I work with had this happen 3 weeks ago. So they do need glasses.

[Allyssa]

you're right sbguy,

Some of the cops are blind, or what they think they see is actually not a crime at all. NYS adopted the law banning cell phone useage while driving, but it's up to the cities and towns to enforce it. And I beleive troopers manage it on the highways.

I bet if 'A' district sat out on Caz, they'd surely nab a ton that really are talking and driving.

But that is a good question, is it state revenue or can each individual city profit from it's enforcement?

[Allyssa]

I found this to be very interesting article on the USA today website about New York State and cell phone etiquette

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2002-10-30-cell-phones-usat_x.htm

[Unregistered]

I was unable to find any info regarding who gets to keep the cell phone fines.

I did find this article in the LeRoy Pennysaver that says that in addition of the $100 fine, there can be up to a $35 surcharge.

http://www.leroyny.com/News/2001/1203/Front_Page/009.html

The surcharge is definitely kept by the city, even if the fine is not.

Buffalo cops could probably easily write 100 tickets per day for cell phone violations.

That works out to be a little over $1.25 Million in a year.

[Grumpy]

interesting, the software must have glitched. i posted the last reply and it showed up as "Unregistered".

[WNYresident]

I wonder if they would use the excuse that the extra paperwork for the phone cell tickerts caused the $1.2 mil taken in used up as over time :)

If there is all this over time.. where the hell are all the cop. if we have like 800 cops.. how many per square mile is that? I'm just curious.






Originally posted by Unregistered
I was unable to find any info regarding who gets to keep the cell phone fines.

I did find this article in the LeRoy Pennysaver that says that in addition of the $100 fine, there can be up to a $35 surcharge.

http://www.leroyny.com/News/2001/1203/Front_Page/009.html

The surcharge is definitely kept by the city, even if the fine is not.

Buffalo cops could probably easily write 100 tickets per day for cell phone violations.

That works out to be a little over $1.25 Million in a year.

[Allyssa]

WNYresident,

(okay... here's my 100th post)

It's like what Grumpy said, the cops that write the tickets don't bother to show up for court, In order for fines to be paid (money made in the city under this type of revenue) on tickets, the police are going to have to start showing up for a 10-15 minute court session (providing the ticket was given to an actual traffic violator).

****************

Getting a bit back to the cell phone ediquette, does anyone think a "user's test" should be applied for first time cell phone purchasers before they can buy one?

A little far-fetched, but if someone is committed to having cell phone Responsibilities, then a five minute test on politeness wouldn't be a bother, right?

[Unregistered]

Getting a bit back to the cell phone ediquette, does anyone think a "user's test" should be applied for first time cell phone purchasers before they can buy one?

A little far-fetched, but if someone is committed to having cell phone Responsibilities, then a five minute test on politeness wouldn't be a bother, right?



Oh, Allyssa....
Who should administer the test? The "politeness police"?
Why is having a cell phone a "responsibility"?
I'm convinced you have absolutely no idea what it means to be an American. It's thinking like that that starts small and ends up in secret police and concentration camps.

[Allyssa]

I'm sorry, I don't think I quite follow you.

I was refering to public ludeness on cell phones.... and how people should consider others around them, and not for a person to feed into his/her own self-centerness.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't Americans kind, caring, and considerate citizens too? Don't Americans have the right to complain about public ludeness... if a drunk can't get away with it, then why should a sober person swearing loudly on a cell phone be the exception?

And BTW, the only thing that starts out small is problems that are left go and before turning so far out of control that it just becomes "acceptable" in society by people like you.

[Stevenco]

<<WE'RE in the are like for that people all they?re matters ?ME? gimme? gimme, ?gimme, society... rudest living>>

Hmmm... it's really about perception. Some might say the same thing about you and your crusade to keep open two South Buffalo libraries regardless of the fiscal realities of the region.


SAVE THE LIBRARIES.

Crusading to keep libraries open isn't comparable to public lewdness.
Don't be ridiculous.

[Timmy]

I think that there should be legal short range cell phone jamming equipment

Thats my solution. There should simply be zones free of cell phone usage: Schools, Hospitals, Retail establishments, Restaurants, movie houses, libraries, locker rooms, etc.

Cell phones are great....if you want to use it then go to a designated area.

My point is simple...some places cell phones are an intrusion not a convenience.

I wish there was a way to jam camera phones....its against the law to take pictures in bathrooms, locker-rooms, hotels, showers, etc but there is no way to block people from using them in those locations. Atleast though if the location was jammed then there is no reason why people should be using them in those locations.....which would be an added safety precaution that I think many people would enjoy and feel re-assured.

LOL, though for me....if someone wants to see me naked...hey Im complimented.....and very appreciative....Im much more offended by loud rude noise than an appreciative glance. hahaha but I recognize people may be more modest and sensative and I can certainly appreciate that...we arent as civil a society as we once were....and thats sad. We lost alot when we lost our respect and social graces and our ability to communicate.

[ILUVNY]

Well, I own a day spa and one of my policies are that my staff members turn off their phones while their working. Personally, I think cell phones should be used in secluded areas (just like regular telephones) and not in public. As far as the fine "gent" in the supermarket using his colorful language for everyone around to hear, that is pure ignorance in my opinion.

[TheRightView]

I'm sorry, I don't think I quite follow you.

I was refering to public ludeness on cell phones.... and how people should consider others around them, and not for a person to feed into his/her own self-centerness.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't Americans kind, caring, and considerate citizens too? Don't Americans have the right to complain about public ludeness... if a drunk can't get away with it, then why should a sober person swearing loudly on a cell phone be the exception?

And BTW, the only thing that starts out small is problems that are left go and before turning so far out of control that it just becomes "acceptable" in society by people like you.
On ther other hand, you becomne big brother if you go to far. People who use such lewd language are going to do so on the phone or not....should we administer a politness test before they can exit the house?

[MAX]

Movie Theatre Chain Unveils Cell Phone Complaint Device
Thursday November 30, 2006
Cell phones have changed the world.
But when it comes to going to the movies, that change isn't always for the better.

Theatre owners, who are already in competition with DVDs, HDTV and home surround sound systems for your entertainment buck, are finding many customers have simply given up on the idea of going out to see a movie because of the annoyance factor.

But now one big chain is fighting back.

Regal Entertainment Group is the largest movie theatre chain in the U.S. and has started a pilot project at 25 of its outlets that could one day expand to cinemas in Canada.

They're giving regular patrons a special pager-sized device as they enter the building. Its main purpose: let those in charge know when some idiot is disrupting the experience by yakking on a cell phone while the movie is unreeling.

A patron can hit a button which alerts managers outside that someone's spoiling the show. That sends an official inside to ask the offender to either hang up or leave.

The man behind the idea thinks it will not only help business pick up, but stop the kind of increasing violence that's becoming all too common between those who paid to watch a film and the inconsiderate irritants.

"Cell phones drive us crazy," Regal C.E.O. Michael Campbell outlines. "We had gotten to the point ... where we have had people getting into physical battles in theatres. One customer will say to another 'Shut off your cell phone' or 'Shut up' ... We've had people assaulted with bats, knives, guns."

There are three additional buttons that signal other problems - like a faulty projector, a complaint about the room temperature and an "other" option, designed to be used when the complaints don't fit any category.

Patrons are given free popcorn for agreeing to test out the device, which Campbell is hoping will convince disgruntled fans to come back to the theatres.

"The biggest problem we have is we don't know when this (cell phone disruption) is occurring in your theatres until it's too late," he points out. "A lot of customers won't say anything, they just will complain on their way out or in the worst case scenario, they don't come back."

The movie mogul complains the old respect - not to mention simply consideration - of the past appears to be gone, as a new muti-tasking generation seems unable to even temporarily cut the cord on their cordless devices.

"Back when I was a teenager there was still a reverence ... for the movie going experience," Campbell sighs. "You knew when you went in that you weren't supposed to talk, you weren't supposed to disturb anybody.

"They think they can do everything at the same time and everybody else is going to be OK with that and it's just not."

Regal plans to eventually spread the technology to all of its 6,400 screens.

And there's a good chance if it works there, it will work here, although it's too early to know if Canadian cinemas will adopt the idea.

But if it draws you and your wallet back to the admissions window, it may be the one kind of phone answer they've been searching for.

[DelawareDistrict]

The Regal's solution is a bit over the top. Movie theaters used to employ ushers to keep things under control. A couple of ushers randomly roaming the theaters, with a flashlight, would take care of the problem. The ushers could be instructed to eject any patrons talking on a cellphone. That would also take care of the people who talk during a movie. The burden should be on the theater, not the customer to notify the theater.

I recently went to a movie at the Maple Ridge and will probably never return. I encountered the rudest, most talkative audience that I have ever seen. There was no theater staff around to address the problem. I usually go to the Regal on Elmwood and find it a much better experience.

[Nicolas II]

I believe that the current trend in ruining movies by talking is a direct by-product of television and some ADD issues that correspond to same. I frankly believe that it borders on the impossible for the average American to sit quietly for 90 minutes and focus on a single subject........ Back in the day one could resort to a sssshhhhhh and get a desired result. Today it almost requires a truncheon.

[Timmy]

they need to legalize jammers...and install them in no use areas just as they install wifi in areas where they want usage.

[DelawareDistrict]

they need to legalize jammers...and install them in no use areas just as they install wifi in areas where they want usage.
You just want to regulate everything. Are you a fascist or a communist? What about doctors who rely on their cell phones for emergencies? They probably keep their phones on vibrate and are sensible enough to go out to the lobby to take the call, or return it. Your plan would prevent them from ever receiving notifications.

[Northshore]

they need to legalize jammers...and install them in no use areas just as they install wifi in areas where they want usage.


As long as I can sue for treble damages if YOUR jammer bothers me outside of YOUR property. I really need my phone 24/7. I never turn it off, not even in confession.


Now answering it is another matter.

Your issue isn't with the device, it's with the user. BTW, whats your view on gun control????

[concernedwnyer]

they need to legalize jammers...and install them in no use areas just as they install wifi in areas where they want usage.

Yea that is going to solve the problem of movie goers being quiet during the movie...... :rolleyes:

How about a law being passed preventing cinemas from charging $4.50 for a 10 OZ half filled with ice cup of pop?????

When I go to the show, the few times I discover something worthwhile seeing, I have a standing personal policy. I will buy your over priced popcorn but I bring my own non alcoholic beverage.