People have become increasingly self-absorbed for some time now. All that matters is what they want to do and how it affects them, everyone else be damned. Cellphones, IMO, seems to have over-inflated that sense. A "you can't tell me when i can or can't talk to someone" attitude. Doesn't matter that they are holding up the line at the supermarket or bothering people at the library or driving erratically. So long as they get to do what they want.

Dude, blame the people and not the technology. Cell phones are great. I don't even have a land line and it's hugely convenient that when I go somewhere I can take my phone with me. I know when it is and isn't appropriate to carry on a conversation, though.

Some people are assholes. They've always been there, they always will be there. Having a cell phone allows them to be assholes in new and exciting ways, is all.

I wasn't blaming the technology.

I do actually. However I have tinnitus and wearing earplugs simply makes the tinnitus more audible and actually makes it harder for me to concentrate than in a quiet environment... it's hard to explain.

Tinnitus is nature's way of telling you to stop cranking the amp to 11.

Surely if you have tinnitus music or ambient noise is preferable to silence which, again, would amplify the tinnitus?

I don't have tinnitus and the library's always been a great place for quiet and concentration for myself or my kids' research projects. They know the rules and I've never noticed them posted.

There's this great Guy & Rodd comic strip I put up on the fridge in my workplace lunchroom. The panel shows some tables full of people and a woman on her phone at her own table. The caption reads "Excuse me, could everyone be quiet, I'm trying to talk on my cell phone."

To me, that says it all. The world doesn't revolve around your cellphone (or mine, for that matter). Please keep that in mind when you're waiting for someone to service you in person, when you're in a place where others are around. Keep in mind, also, your conversation and volume. Not everyone wants to hear the details of your sordid evening.

Is there anyone that has never been offended by anyone else's cell phone call? C'mon now.

I don't - soundmen always joke that I set my amp way too quiet to be a guitarist. I've had tinnitus since I was pretty young; I remember hearing the ringing at night.

Ambient noise such as a quiet room as fine. There are low-level hums and so on which mask the tinnitus really well. I keep my computer on in my bedroom for this reason. Your mind tunes it out.

Talking however grabs the brain in a different way, I'm not sure why. Maybe my brain naturally tries to listen and work out what is being said, and I find it distracting when I'm trying to focus on something which is verbally orientated (or with an internal spoken monologue) like reading or thinking in word terms. I'm fine if I'm focusing on something non-verbal such as playing guitar.

Cell phones have no place in any environment where an extended conversation wouldn't be allowed. Normal people would not have a long conversation in a library, Dr's office, or class. Public transportation is questionable. If you get a call answer it and tell the person you'll call them back. Or at the very least keep the conversation QUIET. Most cell phones pick up sound very well an no one should have to talk at the volume that so many think they have to. I must admit I'm guilty of talking too loud at times but I tend to talk too loud in person sometimes too. It's a habit I've had since I was a kid and have tried to break for just as long.

At the very least, if someone is hearing your conversation (other than a family member at home) then it's probably not a good idea for talk on the phone for very long.

I went to a gas station the other day and some person had a blue tooth on their ear and was talking away when they walked up to the cash register. The cashier though they were talking to her and said "excuse me" and they replied "Oh I'm not talking to you." and rolled his eyes at her. After he left and I stepped up she huffed "I hate it when people do that and you think they're talking to YOU." I agreed with her and let her vent. He was rude to her to answer her that way.

Get off the phone when you are around other people (not just walking by) or interacting with them.