The Cell Phone Appendage

I remember an anti-smoking movie they showed us in high school that portrayed a world where everyone had these "breathing sticks." (It was very 50's science fiction--in black & white, few if any non-white faces, the men in suits, the women in skirts.) I don't remember what the dire consequences of these sticks were, but I can conjure up the image of all the people on the streets with their cigarettes in their hands, held up to their mouths. This image comes to mind when I see so many people clutching their cell phones in their hands as they go about their business.

It is not my intention to bash cell phone use. Although far from a power user, I am glad to have a cell phone--especially when my car has broken down, or I'm stuck in traffic, late for an appointment. But do we really need to have it in our hands, at the ready at any moment when someone calls? Do you really want to be that accessible to the everyone?

And then there are scenes like the one I witnessed Friday on the 49 Van Ness bus. A man and woman in  their 20's got on the bus, obviously a couple of some sort--just dating or cohabitating, who knows. She boarded first and walked to the middle of the bus. He got on next, cell phone to his ear, and followed her. They stood together--she staring into space, he continuing with his conversation. As we traveled down Mission Street, they were able to procure seats across from us. She continued to stare; he continued with his call. He was doing more listening than talking--there was a lot of "uh-huh" and nodding. I had to think---how necessary was this conversation right now? There's a beautiful women sitting next to you--TALK TO HER!! At one point, he placed his hand over hers in a "yes I'm with you" kind of way, but still, the cell phone stayed at his ear. She was unimpressed. When they left the bus, he was still on the phone.

When I have visitors at my house, I don't stay on the phone talking to someone else. Why should cell phone etiquette be any different???

Comments

[OJ]

i remember that "breathing sticks" film so well. So much so, that I continually use the term to politely berate smokers for their habit.

I usually say something like "I see you are still on the breathing sticks, Joe" or if I hear them coughing I say "Quick Joe, you must need another breathing stick".

It is always taken in good humour, but they still don't get the message.

OJ