Cell Phone Users and Abusers
December 1, 2008 by Lillie
Brad Shorr is holding a contest at Word Sell. This is my entry in Cell Phone Users and Abusers.
I had been thinking about this post for several days. There are so many people who abuse cell phones that I was having a hard time narrowing down my focus. People take their eyes off the road, their hands off the steering wheel, and their minds off their driving to talk on the phone. Cell phones have become so invasive that our church has signs on the back of each pew: Silenceth thy cell phone.
On my way to Bible study last week, I encountered the worst case of cell phone abuse I’ve personally experienced. A guy on a bicycle was apparently taking a short cut through the church parking lot. As I turned into the driveway, he wobbled from side to side on his bicycle, holding a cell phone up to his ear with one hand and trying to guide the bike with the other hand on the handlebars. I don’t think he ever even saw me as I swerved to miss him. He continued his conversation without even looking up. He wore shorts and T-shirt and no helmet.
Being so careless in an automobile is extremely dangerous, but to be so reckless with exposed legs, arms, and head on a bicycle in the path of oncoming cars … that strikes me as a death wish!
What is your worst experience with Cell Phone Users and Abusers? You still have time to enter the contest for a chance at one of eight prizes ranging from $50 to $500. The prizes are being given by Brad’s client Dr. Mike O’Malley to promote his book called Cell Hell – 55 Cell Phone Users You’d Like to Silence. Mike offers the badge at the top of this post to anyone who joins the fight against cell phone abuse.
I hate cell phone abusers. People who yell into their cell while standing in an elevator with 7 other people who are totally silent, because the person they are talking to can’t hear them. People who push a stroller across the street with one hand and a cell phone pressed to their face with the other, not paying any attention to the fact that the car turning right has the right of way. Please excuse my run-ons, but cell abusers really do tick me off. Thank God it’s illegal now to use a hand held cell phone while driving.
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Gini,
I haven’t seen a person talking on a cell phone while pushing a stroller across a busy street. That’s even worse than the abuser on a bicycle—at least he’s endangering only his own life and not his child’s!
Hi Lillie, Thank you for taking time to join the contest. There is a very serious side of cell phone abuse, and the book’s author, through humor, was indeed hoping to draw attention to it. A good friend of mine has a nephew who was riding a motorcycle and was gravely injured by a texting motorist. And yet I still catch myself peeking at my email while I’m driving. Thank you for the reminder that this is never permissible, ever.
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Brad,
We don’t think about the potential danger when we take a quick peek at e-mail and lots of distractions. My sister ran off the road changing stations on the radio dial. A split second of distraction can lead to a lifetime of pain or even worse the end of a life.
I pray your friend’s nephew recovers from that terrible accident.
I got a email this week about cell phones… Here is a small excerpt:
Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?
What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we flipped through it several time a day?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we treated it like we couldn’t live without it?
Great post! Gary.
Gary,
I like that! It would be a different world if we all treated our Bibles like our cell phones.
It is amazing that people would even try to text while they drive. There really isn’t any safe way to do it and I can’t imagine a time where you need to put yourself at risk over a text message.
I don’t know that I have heard them called cell phone abusers, but this is a very good way to describe unsafe cell phone usage. The idea about carrying a bible like you would a cell phone is intriguing btw…
Brad,
I think cell phone abuse comes from the book that this contest is promoting. It wasn’t very long ago when having a “mobile phone” was a rarity, and we couldn’t even imagine texting. Now …
I am 50 years old and have seen cell phones go from a futuristic gadget/idea in “Popular Science” magazine and grow into the widespread use we see today, I have also seen manners and phone etiquette decrease accordingly.
I just can not believe how thoughtless and rude people become when they have a cell phone pressed to their ear.
I really hate going out to eat and sitting near people who insist on talking loud enough for everyone to hear their conversation.
Mark,
Someone told me recently she doesn’t own a cell phone, and people just can’t believe it. She said she’s gone through her life without needing to be available to everyone instantly all the time, and she doesn’t intend to start now. Just imagine how people used to have to wait weeks or months for news and responses, and now they expect to connect immediately—regardless of everyone around them.
I’m not big on government regulation in our lives, but I could never understand allowing people to talk and drive at the same time.
When I learned to drive, we were told that driving is a privilege (not a right) and to keep our eyes on the road at all times.
Hands free is okay, but still many drivers are distracted. Injuries and, yes, deaths occur do to cell phone talking too.
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Matt,
I’m with you on government intervention, but the area where government does have to active is protecting the safety of its citizens. Cell phone abusers endanger not only their own lives but also many other innocent lives.
Hi Lillie,
Hope you are well?
I once was walking down to the local Post Office to post some work mail and there was a guy riding on the path, no handed, on the phone and smoking a ciggy in the other!
There are some really stupid people these days. I hear it all the time, that our society is becoming a me-me-me society – the inconsiderate behaviour of people with mobile phones is just one example of this…
Sad really
Take care, Andy
Andy,
I thought a guy on a bike with a cell phone in one hand was bad—a guy on a bike with a cell phone in one hand and a cigarette in the other is downright frightening.
Unfortunately, we do seem to be more and more a me-me-me society. Guess all we can do is to try to avoid falling into that trap ourselves!
Thanks for bringing this into reality. I hate those who talk very loudly even in public places,
Monty,
Nobody seems to like cell phone abusers, but either they don’t care or they’re so oblivious they don’t even recognize themselves.
That reminds me of when I lived in Japan (where everyone biked). The high school students would text message while riding. And of course, they wouldn’t wear helmets. I wore a helmet, but the only Japanese to wear helmets were junior high school students.
Carrie,
I just can’t imagine people doing that. It’s amazing there aren’t more accidents than there are.
People who talk really, really loud on cell phones is quite obnoxious, especially when they are right next to you. Also, people that always are texting while talking to you. That is annoying. This is an interesting post.
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Paul,
This seems to have struck a chord with a lot of people. There are obviously a lot of cell phone abusers out there.
I used to be attached to my cellphone when I was in college. But after years of depending, I grew tired of constantly thinking about it. Now, I only check my phone once or twice a day.
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At once or twice a day you’re still way ahead of me. I seldom get out and usually don’t even turn my cell phone on for weeks at a time. There are occasions when it comes in very handy, such as when my husband is hospitalized. I appreciate being able to stay in touch with family and friends at times like that and on the rare occasions I travel. Otherwise, my cell phone is turned off.
Most citizens, certainly business people would agree that cell phones have revolutionized our way of lifestyle by adding convenience, swift responses and an ability to continue working uninterrupted by travel time. However the sad fact, in spite of the protests from all those who don’t wish to have their new-found convenience limited is that cell phones, when used by drivers or while driving, have also revolutionized one of our ways of death, too!
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Jessie,
Businesses would not be nearly as productive without cellphones, and individuals would not enjoy the convenience we do. As you say, however, there is a dark and dangerous side when cellphones are used irresponsibly.
For sure mobile phones have improved communication in a way we couldn’t imagine a few years ago. However we need to be quite cautious when our children are using phones. They can get addicted to this hardware.
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Carloss,
Yes, cell phone can be even more dangerous for children because they haven’t developed their judgement yet.
The more we using the cell phone, then the more brain cells will be damaged due to the cell phone’s microwave! Hence, remember to turn off the cell phone and put it away from your bed, if you want to have a good night sleep, Lillie.
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wilson,
I go for weeks at a time without turning my cell phone on. The only times I’ve used it with any regularity are the few occasions my husband has been in the hospital or I’ve been visiting my sister on the farm.
I won’t make any claims about the state of my brain cells, but any damage isn’t caused by a cell phone.
[...] I Hate Cell Phones Gary Viray, Cell Phone Users & Abusers Ajay, My Top Three Cellphone Peeves Lillie Ammann, Cell Phone Users & Abusers Brad Shorr, Waiting for Goodbye* Luke Gedeon, Cell Phone Users and [...]
[...] Lillie Ammann, Cell Phone Users & Abusers [...]
This is the best example of cell phone abuse that I could find! – http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1822568
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Dom,
Yikes! I thought the guy on the bike in the parking lot was bad, but at least he wasn’t on a main highway with lots of high-speed traffic like this guy! I hope this is the best example of the worst behavior—I can’t imagine how much worse it could get. Somebody mentioned a woman texting while crossing the street pushing her baby in a stroller. I hope no one decides to do what this guy is doing with a baby in a carrier on their back!
I have a niece who really loves texting on her cellphone. She has a one-year old son and she sometimes neglects him especially if she’s so wrapped up with her texting. There even came a time when her son fall off the stairs because of this bad habit.
Titan,
I hope family members are watching out for the welfare of that baby. If the child is hurt because of the negligence of the mother, the mother should be reported to authorities so the child can be protected. It might just take counseling and education for the mother to understand the consequences of her actions and correct her bad habit. However, if she isn’t willing to change, the child needs to be protected!
Just like any mainstream item, there will be some drawbacks because people will use them in excess. iPods, cell phones, etc. I guess you could even put alcohol in this classification.
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Of course, anything can be abused. I addressed cell phones in this post because I was responding to a specific challenge. I guarantee you if I ever write about abuse of alcohol, the post will be much longer.
I also believe that we should be ethical regarding the use of our cellphones. There had been accidents because of improper use of cellphones. So far I have not had any personal experience with casualties caused by cellphone use. Nice post lillie. I hope a lot of people will get to read this.
Tess,
I think most people who abuse cellphones just don’t stop to think about what they are doing. But they are not only causing inconvenience and annoyance, they often also put themselves and others in danger.
I’m not big on government regulation in our lives, but I could never understand allowing people to talk and drive at the same time, its really weird.
Hands free driving should be ok, but still it could cause distraction and injuries.
When I learned to drive, we were told that driving is a privilege (not a right) and to keep our eyes on the road at all times.
cheap (If you wrote YourName@Keywords, I could address you as a real person, and you would still get your keyword link),
You would think people would have enough sense they wouldn’t need a law … but I have been known to talk on the phone while driving, though rarely, only when there is no traffic around, and briefly. But I shouldn’t even do it at all.
Thanks for your post! I like it and I think you make a good point.
Thanks for taking the time to share this with us
Alex,
This was part of a group writing project, and there were lots of excellent points about cell phone abuse.
The practice is illegal in California. You cannot use your cell phone while driving unless you have a handsfree device.
kathy,
That’s a sound idea. Using a cell phone when driving can be extremely dangerous.
There had been accidents because of improper use of cellphones. So far I have not had any personal experience with casualties caused by cellphone use. Nice post lillie.
USB (if you wrote Your Name @ USB Hubs, I could address you as a real person instead of a piece of equipment, and you would still get your keyword link),
Glad you haven’t had any personal experience with cell phone accidents. Too bad not everyone can say that.
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I love messing with people who are on their cell phones. It is so hard to focus on more than one thing at once so if you talk to them while they are on the phone they don’t know how to handle it.
Dave,
Just don’t do it when they’re driving. They’re distracted enough already.
[...] I Hate Cell Phones Gary Viray, Cell Phone Users & Abusers Ajay, My Top Three Cellphone Peeves Lillie Ammann, Cell Phone Users & Abusers Brad Shorr, Waiting for Goodbye* Luke Gedeon, Cell Phone Users and [...]
Cellphones are very much important, you need a cellphone if there is emergency or whatever but one thing that makes cellphones bad, it is use abusively and the current news today here in y place that 2 out of 5 people cellphone users died in an accident. Cellphones are one of my favorite stuff and I never use it abusively.
Jocelyn,
I’m confused by your statistics about 2 in 5 cellphone users dying in accidents. Was that in a specific incident or are you saying that somewhere (not sure where y is) those are real statistics? That would be believable only if the place has few cellphone users. Here in the US, the population would be quickly decimated at that rate!
Hi Lilie!
That is not Y, it is “my” rather. That was actually true incidents happen here in our place. I’m sorry for the mistype.
Jocelyn,
That makes more sense.
I take it you’re saying that in one or more incidents two out of five cell phone users were killed in accidents. But you’re not saying that those statistics apply universally wherever you are, are you? In other words, you’re not saying that where you live two out of five cell phone users are killed every day?