Op/Ed

Cell phone etiquette

An opinion column by Karen Henslee

     Have you seen the bumper sticker, “hang up and drive?”
It’s been around a long time -- long before I ever had a cell phone.
     I only purchased my cell phone for “emergency” use.
     I thought I’d hardly ever use it. Now I find that if I leave the house without it, I will either turn around and go back, or if I’m really late, I’ll go through the day, feeling anxious. After all, someone might be trying to reach me!
     What a hoot!
     How did we ever survive without them?
     I have avoided writing about cell phone etiquette, although I’ve received the request from a friend on several occasions.
     Why avoid the subject? The answer is simple, I hate hypocrisy. How can I preach about the correct and timely use of a cell phone, when I am hooked on it myself?
     The recent law prohibiting phone use in the car, which took effect in July, has helped me remember I should not be talking, but, unfortunately, it simply reminds me while I’m talking, that I should not be talking. See why I’ve avoided this? It seems a never ending cycle of guilt.
     I am aware the law allows the use of hands-free cell phones, I believe they’re known as “blue tooth” technology.
     I don’t have one of those.
     I like the phone I have, and sort of resent the idea that I have to update my phone repeatedly.
     Maybe it’s a little like all those new razors that keep adding more and more blades. After all, if one is good and two is better, then that four-blade shave must be outstanding. It’s a good premise, I guess, but if you like your handy two-blade shave, it becomes impossible to find blades to replace the used ones. They become obsolete.
     That’s the way it is with cell phones. Even if I wanted to get an earphone to speak hands-free, I don’t think they sell attachments for this style any longer.
     They’ve come a long way in their short life-span. And, they have made themselves invaluable to us.
     I was in a supermarket a few weeks ago, walking through the produce area. I passed a woman who, though alone, was carrying on a very loud conversation. She was on her cell phone, but apparently she was speaking to someone who could not “hear her now.” At least not very well. Thankfully, she was talking about some pretty generic topics. I’d hate to think of what we’d all have been privy to if she’d been talking about something of a more personal nature. Moms would have covered the ears of their children, for goodness sake.
     And, she was totally oblivious to how loudly she was talking. It took selecting apples and carrots to a whole new level.
     I know we all have our pet peeves with cell phone users. But for me, I think it’s the idea that they ring in the middle of restaurants, church services, movies, and dental appointments, among other things. Places that should be void of such intrusions (except the dental appointment, perhaps).
     When the inventors come up with a new phone that can sense when the appropriate time to ring is, and does not depend upon my ability to remember to turn off the ringer... or if they come up with one that will change a flat tire for me in the dark on a rainy night, maybe then I will upgrade.
     But until then, I’ll stick with my old faithful phone. At least I know how to select a ring tone and retrieve voice mail.