genuinegirly

Originally posted it in my journal. Decided to make a post out of it.

Here's the place to vent about inappropriate cell phone use, what you've done about it, how you've responded to it, and what you believe we should do about it.

Today I was frustrated by a person chatting on their cell phone next to me in the library. I turned to her when she hung up and said, "Excuse me, do you have any idea how rude you were?"
She looked at me, shocked, "uhh, no."
"This is a library. You don't turn a cell phone on in a library, much less answer it and carry on a conversation about how you're in the library."
She stared. Finally, "You're kidding, right?"
I packed up my stuff. Stood up. Picked up her cell phone. Made a move to chuck it vehemently to the floor. Then threw it in her lab when she said, "HEY!"

Normally, I don't react this way. I'm usually just minorly frustrated. Less so if it sounds like one of those urgent conversations, for which cell phones were invented: loved one is dying in the hospital and you're waiting for news, or you have a sister who is giving birth sometime this week and you want to be there for it.

I blame my behavior on PMS.
What really shocked me, though, was that this fluently English-speaking, well-educated Californian had no idea that it wasn't appropriate to talk above a whisper in a library, much less chat on a cell phone.

__________________
"Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq

"violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

IdeoFunk

Ha kudos on the scolding... such insolence along those lines also drives me nuts.

In the meantime you might want to consider investing in something like the following: http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniont...n4jammers.html

...just don't get caught haha

Manic_Skafe

How much noise did you make in the library by scolding her?

__________________
"Porn is a zoo of exotic animals that becomes boring upon ownership." -Nersesian

Plan9

Good job. By disturbing everybody... maybe they'll think twice about being "that guy" in a place where it is no excuse.

Kids and their cell phones. Is that conversation THAT important?

"ZOMG, MY BFF BRITNEY!"

__________________
Whatever you can carry.

"You should not drink... and bake."

The_Jazz

Blame your outrage on her being a stupid fucking git, not PMS.

__________________
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - B. Franklin
"There ought to be limits to freedom." - George W. Bush
"We have met the enemy and he is us." - Pogo

Plan9

__________________
Whatever you can carry.

"You should not drink... and bake."

snowy

GG, I've noticed this on my campus too. There are people who answer their phones in the middle of lecture. Shit, there's a guy in my math lecture who has a little Bluetooth headset so he can talk all through class. Fucking annoying.

What happened to common courtesy?

__________________
If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

JStrider

What about when people take their cell phones into the bathroom...

I always try to make as much bodily function noise as possible when they do that...

__________________
-=JStrider=-

~Clatto Verata Nicto

Jenny_Lyte

Ha ha ha good point, but I think he was just standing up for his fellow library patrons.


I hate cellphones. My ringer is on silent all the time. I look to see who called me and then return the call. I hate to hear that thing ring, because it only does when I'm in the shower...or eating...or sleeping...or....

surferlove007

One time I was teaching my swim class, kids aged around 8-9 years old. One of the little girls mothers kept coming over to the edge of the pool with a towel and her cell phone in hand. She allowed her daughter to dry her hands and then respond to a text message. She did this about twice before I told her to please wait until the end of the lesson. Un-freaking-believable.

I've noticed that on campus too at Tech. During my Poli-Sci class one guy answered his phone twice during lecture and kept talking before he walked out to finish his call. After class I called him out on it, (he was in my group for our final project) and said it was very rude. He responded that it was just his ringer so he could leave class. Whatever, if you don't want to respect your teacher stay home or out of the library.

jewels

Pedestrians and drivers. Ugh! I've encountered people jaywalking in the middle of a busy road, holding their hand up while crossing the middle of a street with a 45 - 50 mph speed limit, phone glued to their ear.

I've had drivers cut me off and suddenly slow down. After waiting for them to regain speed, when I pass them I can see they're on the phone.

I don't think you were bitchy at all, GG. Some people think when their cell phone rings, the world needs to revolve around them.

__________________
We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which we do possess.
Mark Twain

Hain

A phone this big practically makes it revolve around you.

__________________

////\\// IRONSKY.NET \\//\\\\

Xazy

Way to go, I think that if more people told kids about proper manners maybe it will slowly sink in.

genuinegirly

whisper.

__________________
"Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq

"violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

Jinn

I dunno, I think you were kinda a bitch. I guess I don't really have a problem with people talking on their cell phones, because I've grown up with it.

It's going to happen more and more, so I'm glad I'm used to it already.

They're an adult, and I don't think it's anyone's place to scold someone else unless they're truly in a position of power over them. I might've been more polite in my response (eg 'sorry'), but I wouldn't have been pleased with your attitude.

"Do you know how rude you were being" is not a statement designed to elicit a positive response.

__________________
"I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel

AngelaSI

Yeah, it's just the PMS.

Next time wear ear plugs while in the library.

ShaniFaye

wtf? A library is a place people go to study/research in quiet, its not social time there, we do not go there to hear other people's telephone conversations.

seriously some of you think a library is an appropriate place to be disturbing other people? damn

GG--you go girl

__________________
I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!

Plan9

Oooh, and that means they can read the big sign on the way into the library that says "NO CELL PHONES, PLEASE BE QUIET."

Pfft... rules are rules... and they're no good if enforcement isn't instantaneous.

__________________
Whatever you can carry.

"You should not drink... and bake."

World's King

If you're not in your car or doing something that involves the use of both of your hands...


TAKE THE FUCKING PLASTIC BABY PENIS OUT OF YOUR EAR!!!

__________________
heavy is the head that wears the crown

allaboutmusic

There is a really annoying trend of people playing music on their cellphones through the built-in loudspeakers in public places - specifically public transport. I don't want to hear your stupid manufactured-pop crap when I'm standing up in a sweaty bus stuck in rush-hour traffic.

Or even more stupid - when someone decides to go listen to their entire ringtone collection at full volume. On public transport.

The worst thing is that people don't say anything here, because there is a genuine risk that the perpetrator might turn around and knife you. I have certainly given thought to knifing these people. GRRR.

World's King

I was in court the other day and these assholes were walking through the halls blasting some shitting rap music... In a court house... Needless to say they got kicked out. But not without a fight.

__________________
heavy is the head that wears the crown

Martian

Rude people suck. They're also pretty ubiquitous. The way I figure it, you can do the whole visceral thing and 'teach them a lesson,' or you can just get on with your day. It only bothers you if you let it.

I mean, you do realize that after you walked out of the library that girl probably called her friends right away to tell them about the rude person who almost broke her phone, don't you? Aside from making you feel better, your actions aren't likely to have changed anything at all.

So when you get on a public bus, being knifed by a stranger for almost no reason is a serious concern for you? Dude. I don't know where you live, but I'm glad I'm not there.

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

hrandani

I think if I witnessed this scene in real time I would have had to stifle an erection. The only thing that could have made it better is if you took her SIM card out and ground it to dust right in front of her.

I've given up on people and technology. Seeing someone try to stand up to the horde warms my heart though.

Kaimi

I had a friend who would teach guitar lessons. One of his students interrupted his lesson by taking a call. When his 60 minutes were up(by the clock) my friend made his move to wrap up the session. The student then reminded him that he was leaving him 20 minutes short of class time. My friend stood up and said, you took that 20 minutes on the phone buddy. My time is my time, regardless of how you choose to spend it the clock still ticks. The nerve of some people.

Grasshopper Green

Cellphones have no place in a library. I'd be pissed off if I was trying to study and some nitwit was yakking away about something that wasn't an emergency.

Like Shani said gg...you go girl.

__________________
"They say that patriotism is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings; steal a little and they throw you in jail, steal a lot and they make you king"

Formerly Medusa

orionnebula

Yeah gg

The one other place I can't stand it is at the movie.

That girl took 3 calls during, and in one she was telling what is happening.

People around were giving comment, but for that teen, it was us who was wrong.

Good thing they show the montage to tell you to turn off your cell before the movie itself!!!!

Fotzlid

We have "No Cellphone Use" signs all over the place at work. They can interfere with the heart monitors. It doesn't matter how you tell people or how many times, they always get pissed off when you tell them to take it outside.

allaboutmusic

I live in London. There have been numerous stories of people getting violent when confronted with their rude behaviour (talking on cellphone, dropping litter, throwing chips at people). If everyone got hard-line on rude behaviour, we'd probably be all right but people are afraid.

Jinn

I must have a high rude-tolerance gauge or something. I can't see being pissed at any of the the things described above (besides the being stabbed thing).

Why do you all get so hot-and-bothered by someone on a cell phone or someone playing music? It's their world too.

I'm about the quietest person you'll find in public, and I don't answer my phone when it'd be rude to do so, but I don't give a flying fuck if someone else does.

__________________
"I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel

snowy

After the first time I would've gone to get the usher. Around here that'll get you kicked out of the theater lickety-split.

__________________
If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Jinn

OK, so I missed that one. I'd be pissed at having a conversation during a movie.

Not a library or a public bus, though.

__________________
"I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel

ShaniFaye

I dont get that....its not ok at a movie but its ok at a library? why?

__________________
I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!

telekinetic

On topic?

__________________
twisted no more

Jinn

Because I've never bought into the "library is a quiet sanctuary" crap that most people believe. I don't need dead silence to read a fucking book. I think I expect that if I'm AROUND other people, there will be noise. If you want absolute silence, check the damn book out and go home.

Granted I still wouldn't answer my phone in a library because I don't like upsetting the Noise Nazis who believe it should be more silent than Jesus on day 2 in a library, but I'm not personally upset by others that do.

What's so special about books that make them any different from a store, a restaraunt, etc., somehow demanding special rules about noise?

__________________
"I'm typing on a computer of science, which is being sent by science wires to a little science server where you can access it. I'm not typing on a computer of philosophy or religion or whatever other thing you think can be used to understand the universe because they're a poor substitute in the role of understanding the universe which exists independent from ourselves." - Willravel

jewels

Focus? You may be one of those that can read and study in the bleachers at the Grand Prix, but some of us need solitude.

That's why libraries instituted that "rule" many moons ago. Consideration, nothing more.

__________________
We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which we do possess.
Mark Twain

ShaniFaye

maybe the signs that state to keep quiet? Its not like its a book store....I go to mine to do research and I really dont want to hear 20 different conversations about crap I dont care about while Im doing that

Thankfully my library post signs specifically stating no cell phone use and I have seen them come and ask people who choose to ignore it to please take their conversation outside the building

__________________
I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!

Halx

First of all, the TFP wouldn't be what it is if the MEMBERS didn't stand up for its rules. So, to JinnKai, it's absolutely imperative that people enforce the rules of an establishment even if they are not in a position of authority. Secondly, touching someone else's property is totally uncalled for. Totally.

__________________
You have found this post informative.
-The Administrator
[Don't Feed The Animals]

allaboutmusic

Londoners spend an inordinate amount of time on public transport. I've spent over two hours a working day on public transport for most of the year I've been in London. At the end of a long working day, I really don't want to hear some inconsiderate loudmouth blabbering into a phone.

Firstly, most libraries have limits on how many books you can check out, and secondly many libraries have some books which can't be checked out. A library is not just a place to check out books, it's a resource to be used there and then... if you're doing research from several books for a short period of time, it makes more sense to do so at the library. That's what it's FOR. If someone wants to talk on the phone, there's no reason they can't leave the library and do so.

As jewels443 said, focus. I don't know about you, but when I read, I'm usually thinking (and often studying). It's hard to concentrate continuously for any length of time when there are distractions around when you. Ok, perhaps not you, but it's hard for ME... and I'm guessing most other people out there.

funydjane

Yes, but in a city of almost 8 million people with sensationalist and ubiquitous trashy media, of course there are. It doesn't mean it's common or at all likely.

+1. I've heard people bitch about people saying hi to a friend, asking the librarian a question or asking someone to call them back later in a library and I really don't get this noise-fascism. If you really can't work with people rustling pages or coughing, just put on your headphones and block it out with music. You could even use earplugs.

Sure, people shouldn't be playing football, running around, having massive conversations or yelling in a library, but there's nothing wrong with a bit of noise above the silence.

However, talking in a movie is unforgivable for obvious reasons.

genuinegirly

Yes, I could have rephrased it with, "are you aware that cell phone use is not permitted in libraries." Unfortunately, I was acting on impulse, and the words did not come.

I'm curious, how exactly would you have drilled in the point?

__________________
"Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq

"violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy