Do people have the sense to know when not to use cell phones?

It is common knowledge that cell phones have become an important part of our life. I consider it the ultimate time-saving device--it allows you to save time by multi-tasking in ways you never before dreamed possible. It is an important part of life, yet it has also turned into a nuisance at times. They are a good communication tool and it has helped us all out under certain situations especially when we are stuck on the road and no genuine help is in site. At other times, it should not be used at all at certain places.

Besides the irritating marketing calls, one thing which still baffles me is and absurd is why is that children are given cell-phones at an early age? We managed without them for such a long time and without so many other so-called useful 'necessities'. Why should children need phones at school as surely they are there to be educated? By letting them have the cell phones with them while they are attending classes seems a little silly. Many children misuse the phone facility instead of using it for its basic contact purpose.

The other thing about cell phones is that some people do not have the common sense to know when and where not to use them. I had gone to this really important company meeting sometime back. The branch manager was making his usual company performance speech. It was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. In the middle of the meeting, someone's cell phone began ringing loudly. After the person dug it out of their pocket or holder or wherever they had kept it, they shut it off. At this point you could hear several people there quickly shutting their phones off also after realizing how many stares it drew. People are just so accustomed to having them that they don't even think about where to put it in a silent/vibrate mode or simply turning it off. Cell phones don't belong in office meetings, weddings, places of worship, funerals, courtrooms, clinics, hospitals, driving a vehicle and there are many more places they should not be used as certain management rules prohibit its use. In addition to the above mentioned inappropriate moments, there are times when I just don't want to be reached.


A person’s life will not end if they shut off their cell phones. One must remember that we have lived without these modern conveniences for hundreds of years and a short denial of use will not hurt us. Tell me, is it really that much of an inconvenience to turn your phone off and let your phone take it as a missed call in certain situations? Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I usually shut off my cell phone when it is not use. When I have to leave it on, I put it in the silent mode and at other times vibrate mode only. The cell phone is meant for emergencies. If I am not able to answer the phone right away due to circumstances beyond my control, I usually call back when possible. If it is a true emergency they will call back or leave a message. Sometimes I wonder if people have become so rude or are they simply not thinking.

I do understand that most people's lives are kind of hectic these days and a lot of things do happen in their life, but people should learn to slow down every once in awhile! Show some respect for others in situations where it is due and it is just not appropriate for your phone to be going off under certain situations. Not only will your life not end if you shut your phone off for a few hours, but the world will still be there when you get back to it. Like when someone is calling someone me while they are sitting on the toilet? Eeeeew. There are some things I just don't need to know.


On an ending note, I would like to mention once more that even though cell phones have their benefits, yet they also have several drawbacks some of which I mentioned above. Finally, remember not to walk through stores isles while using Bluetooth headphones. You will just look like a crazy person talking to yourself and probably the security people will end up following you around. Remember to use the vibrate mode in your cell phone. You’ll just love it and probably become addicted to it.