Interruptions are Normal

February 17, 2005

Category: Observations , Postmodernism

Hands free cell phone? Have you ever been right in the middle of a sentence, and you hear a distant phone ringing? The person to whom you’re talking freezes, says, “Mine” and quickly swipes at their side or digs through their purse for the chirping phone. You are immediately second priority as he grabs the phone, stares at it, trying to determine if the call is worth taking, takes the call (almost always), and says, “It’ll just be a minute” or, “Sorry, hang on a sec.”

Ever been wrapped up in a sermon at church and someone’s cell phone goes off? School? Work? A concert? Do you ever say anything, glare or ignore? What’s up with not being able to miss ONE phone call? Really?

Cell phones are convenient. Interruptions are normal. But are interruptions like this acceptable? What ever happened to etiquette?

Posted by pablohart on February 17, 2005 09:32 PM

Comments

that picture is hilarious. you're welcome for helping you pick it out. :)

cell phones are annoying but convenient. i'm glad you usually carry ours. i don't even like talking into them - they're so tiny and awkward to hold - like a toy. we basically leave ours off and only give the number out to family. we use it if WE need it, not for others to get a hold of us any ol' time of day (or night!).

have you seen the commercial of the guy on a hands-free set in a store and the clerk thinks he's being robbed? so funny...

Posted by manda at February 19, 2005 2:03 PM

What's up with not being able to miss ONE phone call? Really?

pablo -- your question is right on. i'm not so important that i can't miss one call.

and you're also right about etiquette. i've had a cellphone since 1993 and meet with clients all day long, everyday. the success of my business depends on genuine face-to-face interaction with lots of listening and eye contact.

the 'cellphone policy' i established back then is that it's simply not in the room when i'm meeting with my client.

dad

Posted by dad at February 20, 2005 3:40 PM

I agree completely that cell phone usage is the biggest social offense by most people now.

How do you get away with having it off when you're out and the kids are with a babysitter?
That's probably my biggest dilemna--we see the home number or the kids' number (even worse-they're driving or out with friends--can't ignore that!)and feel complelled that it could be imperative to be "rude".

Figured that one out yet?

Posted by cuz at February 20, 2005 4:26 PM

Sometimes we don't have it on when the kids are with a sitter. If we're at a concert or a movie, we don't have it on. Paul will check it from time to time - he can tell if there has been a call we missed. We've never had a problem, yet. We give the number of where we'll be to the sitter. If it's that important, the babysitter would call the movie theater, then an employee would come get us. I assume that's what parents did before cell phones (gasp!) or those who still don't own one (double gasp!) can you tell paul is the technogeek in our family?

Posted by manda at February 20, 2005 4:48 PM

Cuz,

My answer to anyone and everyone is to keep your phone on vibrate or silent mode MOST of the time, especially when you're talking to someone. If the phone "rings" and you're in the middle of a conversation, simply ignore it until you can excuse yourself to see who has called.

Paul

Posted by pablohart at February 21, 2005 9:59 AM

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