Parents teach their children from a young age that screaming, burping,
passing gas, and spitting are rude and socially unacceptable behaviors.
Today, there are new kinds of rude to add to the list: Talking loudly on a
cell phone in close quarters, talking on a cell phone when driving, or allowing a cell
phone to interrupt a face-to-face meeting with someone.
Its amazing that adults who can recognize rude behavior in a child
at 100 yards, cant see their own. The same adults who would whisk a crying child out
of a quiet restaurant or concert, who would blush and offer excuses for body noises, often
see no problem when their cell phone rings or blasts an obnoxious tune in the middle of a
concert, a movie, a quiet restaurant or a quiet beach.
The electronic intrusion has reportedly driven some to exchange road rage
for phone rage. True story or urban legend, the contraptions are obnoxious, even
dangerous.
Seeing a driver attempt to change lanes, shuffle papers on the dash and
talk on the phone all at the same time is to discover the meaning of the phrase "fear
and loathing." Check out Ketchums Main Street at noon any weekday for a
firsthand experience.
We applaud the local restaurants and bars in town that demand that cell
phones be turned off or checked at the door. A state law prohibiting drivers from
operating cell phones unless the car is parked is long overdue. Only basic courtesy will
take care of the rest.
Cell technology has freed many office workers from the tyranny of the wall
plug. Yet, until users control it, the cell phone will remain an electronic despot, a
visitor most unwelcome in welcoming places.