BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones

Subject: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 03:17 PM

I could hardly believe the conversation I overheard while buying cat food at Petsmart last week. A uniformed Fort Worth police officer behind me in the checkout line was on the phone. It seems his unmarried daughter is pregnant and having a horrible time with morning sickness and is having difficulty continuing with her college course work and she's missing a lot of work with her employer. Her boyfriend isn't helpful and doesn't understand her. Geez, Louise! Did everyone on that side of the store really need to hear all of that?

Cell phones are handy. It's the only form of phone my 19-year-old college student daughter has, and it can be a lifeline. I pay for her phone while she's in school so I'm sure she has a way to contact me if she needs to. But these prolonged conversations by total strangers in public places and in inappropriate settings drive me a bit nuts sometimes. They fill the air with their conversations in restaurants, where you perhaps want to speak quietly with other diners at your table. The people who talk on the phone the whole time while someone is waiting on them in the grocery store checkout line are delivering the unspoken message to the clerk "you aren't important enough for me to be polite to you."

Why do some people even seem to amplify their voices when they're on the phone in public, as if they think their phone call might be interesting to the strangers around them?

Since when did talking to the person who isn't there in the room with you trump the courtesy of communicating with the people who are present? And people talking with phones held to the ear while driving, especially in traffic, are down right scary.

My daughter is good about when and where she talks because that was something we discussed when she got the phone. She knows not to try to drive and talk, it rolls over to her voice mail if she's on the road. We excuse ourselves and find a private space or call back if we simply must talk to the caller. Did these rude cell phone users simply miss having a mother teach them about good manners?

What conversations have you heard? Feel free to tell-all. The original caller did, after all.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 03:20 PM

Here is a trick. Stop and stare at the person on the phone. IF they don't get the message and ask what you are doing, simply add something to the conversation they are having.   

It might not stop them from doing it again, but it will brighten you day.

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Rapparee
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 03:21 PM

If it's a public place, you have no "right to privacy." And if you are a public official and you discuss private matters in public you can bet your bottom that it will be all over town before you hang up.

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 03:39 PM

But many people broadcast average, boring, domestic issues also. Or gossip and chat. The point is, they don't seem to get it that they should take their calls to private places and not inflict them on everyone else. Being a public place I suppose there is no "right to silence" or "right to not have personal information shared with you" either, but it would be nice.

I started this thread for a couple of reasons, though. One was to point out the problems of cell phone proliferation and some users' lack of judgement when using them. The other is because these people who share their private lives this way are fair game for examination or (perhaps) ridicule. What is the most outlandish or astonishing personal call you've heard conducted in a public place?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 03:40 PM

I really object to people who answer telephones whilst in mid conversation with me. I'm standing right in front of you, you were dealing with me first, and now you pick up the phone and don't say, 'hold one moment please'? Maybe I'll put you on 'hold' whilst I phone my friend.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Irene M
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 03:54 PM

I remember a time, not too long ago, when if you walked round shouting to yourself, someone called the little white men in the little white coats in the little white van.
Now they're all at it.
When mobile phones first started to crop up, I thought they had all been to the Ewan McColl school of traditional singing. (DIY feedback).

I refuse to have one of the things, as I refuse to be electronically tagged.

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Wesley S
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 03:56 PM

Most of the cell phone conversations I hear are along the lines of:

"Well what did she say?" "And what did HE say?" "THEN what did she say?"

But I did hear one along the lines of "Well if you insist on using lilies you can just have the funeral without me"

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: freightdawg
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 03:59 PM

SRS,

What quaint little antique concepts you have resurrected. "Manners" "Politeness" "Consideration" "Respect"

It has been my understanding these attributes, once so prolific amongst civil populations, have been dead for many years.

It's nice to know someone else remembers them.

Freightdawg

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Ebbie
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 04:16 PM

I consider them an intrusion into my right to my own environment. I use public transit a lot and it amazes me how many people feel compelled to call someone to chat while they are enroute. I can see the need if they are expecting to be met on the other end of the trip but a casual - and loud - conversation is ridiculous. Especially since a good number of them are serial offenders- quite often a person hangs up then immediately dials someone else.

One of these times I'm going to try Ron Olesko's suggestion. That ought to do it. :)

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Little Hawk
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 04:24 PM

Cellphones? I detest the stupid things, and I don't have one. I also refuse to be electronically tagged.

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: KB in Iowa
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 04:31 PM

I was in a public restroom washing my hands when the door opened and the fellow who had just walked in asked "how are you doing?" He was, of course, not talking to me, thank goodness.

I have also heard conversations erupt from within a stall in a public restroom more than once. I wonder what the person on the other end of the line would think if they knew.

The most incredible thing I have seen is the time I was walking down the street and there was a group of six young ladies walking the other direction. All six were on their cell phones.

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 04:44 PM

Moonglow will be in the passenger seat when we're in the pickup, looking down into passing cars.

"She's driving and sending a text message!" is a surprising but all too frequent remark.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Midchuck
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 04:51 PM

What's fun is when you're on the sidewalk, or in an airport terminal, and someone is coming the other way, talking on his cell phone.

You just stop, and stand still. He walks into you. Then he says, "Why don't you watch where you're going?"

Peter

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Amos
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 04:55 PM

LH:

You are being inordinately precious, mon ami. If you had a lively network of people on which your well-being and livelihood depended, as many people do, you would be much more interested in being able to call anyone at any time.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Wesley S
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 05:02 PM

What's worse - sending a text message while driving or driving while putting on makeup?

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Becca72
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 05:17 PM

Which do you do most often, Wesley? :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Bill D
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 05:34 PM

It used to be smoking in restaurants and stores...cell phones may be slightly less offensive...but not much.

Wasn't just recently when we thought it was bad when someone's PAGER went off in a theater?

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 07:33 PM

On a related note, check my thread on "Why Do They Call It Tourist Season?"

My road rage was directed at a tourist on her cell phone who was evidently too engrossed in the conversation to be in the correct lane and not cause problems for everyone behind her.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Little Hawk
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 08:28 PM

Yes, Amos...if I had that situation in my life, as you say, then I would probably have a cell phone. But I don't have that situation in my life. Accordingly...I have no cell phone, and I don't want one. I like the feeling of being totally free and not bothered by a ringing phone when I am out of the house.

I'm not trying to imply that other people have no good reason for having a cell phone, Amos. Many of them have very good reasons for it, and I know that. But I don't, and I prefer not having one.

That's really all there is to it.

As for detesting the things, it's because of the many reasons that other people have given already on this thread, it's because of the intrusiveness of cell phones in a variety of public circumstances (such as movie theatres, driving, restaurants, etc), so I don't think I need add anything to that. I think that people should have the sense and good manners to turn their cell phone off at certain times and in certain places...and fortunately some of them do have that degree of courtesy.

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Sorcha
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 09:37 PM

I wish I could get my HUSBAND to read this thread. He is an Offender.

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: bobad
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 09:40 PM

Off with his head then.

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Mrrzy
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 10:06 PM

I have finally broken down and gotten a cell phone. *sigh* - but I do try not to use it!

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 10:21 PM

I've had one for years, but it was off most of the time, kept for those times when I drove a dark empty highway 50 miles to graduate school at night. That highway has pretty well been built up now, and my phone is on more. It took me many tries to get the damned thing to stop making all sorts of godawful noises at the slightest provocation. It now has a couple of gentle beeps and it rings, that is it. I don't set it on vibrate, I turn it off when I'm somewhere I don't want it to ring. It is on more than it used to be because my daughter and I don't have to pay for calls between the phones, and we would have to pay long distance charges now that she's at the university (same one where I did the graduate work mentioned above).

The really bizarre thing I have discovered about some of these mavens of the cell phone is that if you stand and are pointedly listening to their open and public conversations, they'll glare at you or suggest through body language and gestures that you're being the rude one. But it is a good trick.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 23 Oct 07 - 11:59 PM

When they got to be cheap (under $100), I bought a prepaid one.

I do not regret it. It allows free calls to certain friends on the same network.

The most useful thing about it is when shopping (if the signal level is enough!) it enables two people shopping who go in different directions to say "meet you at the bread". Saves huge amounts of stress, shoe leather, and time.

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 02:44 AM

One bloke filled the bus with his conversation - I eventually worked out that he was arranging the music for his wedding! In the mean time I was wanting to remove his phone, or will him to leave the bus.

One I did not overhear, but participated in was a worry. I called a client back to give her the price info she needed & she immediately gave me her credit card, exp. date, address, phone no - all in a busy Cafe! If she had been whispering it might have been ok, but she was speaking in a normal voice.

Some years back one of my colleagues heard a bloke speaking accompanied by what he delicately called "full sound effects" from a stall in our office Gents toilet! Fortunately the speaker was not a colleague, merely a representative of one of our bigger clients. Yuk.

We also have laws forbidding calls from mobile phones while driving which get ignored by lots of idiots.

On a lighter note, I have a great cartoon in my collection. A young couple are trying to have a romantic dinner in a fancy restaurant where a man on the next table is taking loudly on his phone, annoying everyone, including folks on his table. Young man picks up his bread roll, then removes the pick from his cocktail, pokes it in roll, holds roll near his ear, make a loud RRRRIIIINNNGGG & hands it to the noisy man, saying "It's for you." Wife is red with embarrassment & everyone else is laughing at the disconcerted idiot.

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: GUEST,Elfcall
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 03:16 AM

Well, if it was not for mobile phones I would never have known that the young woman who was sat to me on the the 329 Bus had her second succesive clear smear test ! Actually most people on the lower deck were able to share that too.

Elfcall

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: jonm
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 03:46 AM

Once upon a time, you'd be talking to someone at a customer service desk in, say, the bank, the phone would ring and they would put the caller on hold. Now it's YOU, who have made the effort to go into their premises, who gets put on hold while they deal with the phone enquiry!

What about the guy touring the supermarket with his kids on the morning of Mothers' Day having a continuous phone conversation with his other half about which brand of x, y, and z they have and do they need kitchen roll? Can't you just imagine half an hour previously: "You have a lie-in, darling I'll do the shopping." A lie-in, that is, until the phone rings...

I've done some work with some large motorsport companies and for all this summer's spying scandals in F1, I'm sure the best way to find out all their secrets is to eavesdrop on their mobile conversations.

I was in central London a while ago, listening to a man talking about moving large sums of money around over his mobile - and then it rang!

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: open mike
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 03:49 AM

i used to think "i will never get used to people having cellphones
with them everywhere they go...talking in stores, as they walk and drive, etc" now i say "I will never get used to people having those little appendages sticking in their ears..they look like they have had them implanted...are they blue teeth, or what?!" (and if you really had blue teeth shouldn't you go to the dentist to fix them?)

i have a cell phone, but it does not work at my house...i have to be
several miles away before it picks up a signal. I use it when i am away or on the road.

now i also have a lap top computer that connects with a wireless signal.

we are obsessed with devices! (and possibly posessed by them...)

with all this communicationg being done, are we all better informed,
and have more understandign than ever before?

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: eddie1
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 05:44 AM

I loved the suggestion by a comedian on TV that, before getting on the subway, you set the alarm on your cell phone to ring in a couple of minutes. When it goes off, pretend to answer it and have a conversation - if in central London, preferably about stocks and shares and tell your non-existant caller to sell everything - then watch all the others trying to get a signal several hundred feet below ground!

Eddie

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: GUEST,HiLo
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 09:03 AM

I have to say that I have never seen the point of cell phones. I travel regularly by bus and two patterns repeat themselves each day. The teenagers at the front of the bus phone the teenagers at the back of the bus. There is one chap who calls home each day and each day the conversation is exactly the same.....Ah...progress.

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 09:25 AM

once I heard a brief & appropriate conversation.

Bloke in the bus called home, asking to be collected from his usual bus stop as we were in the middle of an almost tropical downpour!

sandra (who does not have a mobile phone)

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 10:54 AM

I really hate to see it when parents are out doing things with small children, walking, shopping, visiting the park, etc., and they're on the phone and ignoring the children. Your children grow so fast, and they learn so much in those wonderful one-on-one situations. Don't squander them by chatting on the phone!

My daughter and I were out one evening in a grocery store when she was about two (so this is going back 17 years) and I remember sharing some great jokes about the things we were walking past. I remember the evening because it was so charming, we had so much fun. The sound of a small child laughing is so incredible--and as we shopped I would see heads pop up and smiles come across the faces of other adult shoppers. I do the same thing when I hear kids laugh. But I swear, they don't seem to as much now, because their parents are ignoring them to talk on the phone instead.

[sigh]

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Peace
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 10:56 AM

"Ah...progress."

We have so much of that.

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Amos
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 11:02 AM

The sound of a small child laughing is so incredible

Thanks for reminding me. Made my day!!


A

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Wesley S
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 11:19 AM

When I find his tickle spots I can still induce belly laughs in my 6 {soon to be 7} year old. It makes my day too.

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Donuel
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 11:31 AM

BACK IN THE DAY

when cell phones were on a radio band I had a tape recorder reciever combo

I taped the mob talking about stealing drugs back from the police, upcoming murders that were in the works - AND DID OCCUR
and lots of other gossip about thugs who were so inept that the captain said "Guido could fuck up a wet dream"

I still have these. At the time the police did nothing but want every copy I had. They were married to the mob and didn't want any problems. I had an investigative reporter neighbor upstairs that hated my guts for playing music, especially 'people who need people'. She dismissed my tapes as a sick joke and accused me of wasting her time.

The tapes were authenticated by a police task force commander and added that he had gone to high school with some of the people on the tapes.

This has happened to me time and again with reporters. I have since resolved to never speak with one again.

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Donuel
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 11:43 AM

Nowadays I have no cell phone but I have some old discarded ones that I pretend to use in situations that need a good fake conversation to balance out another rude conversation -especially when I am trying to eat...

I will say things like..."Can you hear me NOW? yes the doctors said that they have never seen anything like it before. No, yeah, um huh, Well they said they see green puss all the time but blue puss was really something new.
uhhhuh, no no NO they do not know how contagious it is yet, thats why I say you should take that flight out of National right now before things get wierd...uh huh, yes I washed my hands, at least I think I did...but I'm still wearing the same shirt and pants."


I really do this schtik since it seems to me someone's gotta do it, and I'm pretty good at it.

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Amos
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 11:48 AM

You are outrageous, Donuel!! LOL!


A

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Little Hawk
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 12:03 PM

LOL!!! (snort!) Wonderful, Donuel, just wonderful!

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Wesley S
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 12:17 PM

I've heard that Alfred Hitchcock would tell stories to friends on an elevator - just to see if folks would follow him off to hear the end of it.

"Well - the argument got worse until she felt like she needed to protect herself. She grabbed a large kitchen knife that was on the counter and as just he approached her she.......Oh - this is our floor."

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Bill D
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 01:14 PM

Well, the wife & I each HAVE phones, but they stay off most of the time, and 'almost' never get used for incoming calls. We have used them on trips to call and reserve a motel room when we were about 2 hours away, and to coordinate meeting someone...etc. And to report in when one of us is delayed late at night. VERY handy. It also allows us to contact my son at college when we need to coordinate plans...as his phone is almost always on..(except when he is in class).

   I have a Go Phone from AT&T, which costs me $25 for 90 days at $1 a minute. I never use anywhere near that many minutes, and the credit rolls over...up to 125 minutes, I believe. Right now, I have 74 minutes left to last until Dec.4th, and I doubt I will use ¼ of that.

I DO set mine on vibrate, as I have hearing loss in the upper registers.

I also have text messaging available at 5¢ per message, which I use occasionally to trade brief messages to one friend who can't always 'talk'...

I think I have only about 10 numbers in my address book....

so...a cell phone can be used as just a TOOL, and not just as a way to say nothing and be a nuisance for $59 per month...

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Becca72
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 01:35 PM

The only phone I have is my cell phone. I got tired of paying for the home phone and the cell and I use the cell more often, as I travel a lot by myself. That's actually why I got the cell in the first place. I was living in Vermont and coming home to Maine to visit lots of weekends. I turn my phone off at the movies, ignore it in the store (it's always in my pocketbook and barely audible) and never, ever answer it while I'm driving. I do have a head set for use when I'm driving but I've placed the call before starting my journey and even still I talk on the phone very rarely in the car. Cell phones serve a very useful purpose. I am also 100% in favor of banning the use of cell phones while driving as I have an incident at least once a day in my round trip commute (which is about 32 miles). I find that the people who are rude in their phone use are also rude in other aspects of life.

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Little Hawk
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 02:25 PM

Yes, clearly there are intelligent ways of using a cell phone...like anything else...and in that case, why not?

If I forsee needing one at some point for some good practical reason, then I'll get one, but I don't see any real need for it at present.

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Amos
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 04:14 PM

Ah, Little Hawk, you are a PARAGON of virtuous level-headed reasoning.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Bill D
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 04:14 PM

I gather, LH, that you are not 'out' much....which is my situation. I do my craft work at home, and do not have a lot of people I NEED to call or be called by during the day.

   Those who do need almost constant contact while out....(real estate agents, contractors, delivery people,,etc..) need a hands-free phone setup. Other folks need to just simply PULL OVER if there is reason to answer of make a call quickly. Has everyone forgotten how just a few years ago, one had to find a phone booth to make a call?...and couldn't receive one at all? THE WORLD WILL NOT END if you don't chat with one of 79 friends the instant they call!!!!!

(and re: the basic topic - it IS rude to inflict the details of your love life on everyone in the grocery line..)

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Oct 07 - 10:29 PM

Lots of fun with this. You will find it more common as 2008 approachs.

Research the old-fashioned "Crystal Set" and tuning. Use a pencil - not a toil-paper-tube. Split the graphit core from the pencil and replace original graphit in groove.....wrap the pencil with fine copper wire (thinner the better) ....slide the graphit core for tuning....

The real phone-phun begins when you begin to reverse telephone broadcat the conversation onto the local grocery network....or conference room....or classroom....speakers.

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Bryn Pugh
Date: 25 Oct 07 - 06:07 AM

The use of mobile phones (cellphones) whilst driving has been made illegal in the UK.

It don't seem to be dissuading anyone.

I was nearly tail-ended by a youngster this morning doing just this. Didn't look old enough to be out on her own

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Uncle Phil
Date: 26 Oct 07 - 01:28 AM

Shouted in a crowded store, "No, Jose! No pistolas, no pistolas!"
- Phil

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 26 Oct 07 - 03:23 AM

In a service station shop I once heard a woman phone a friend and ask 'can you hear me OK? I dropped the phone in the toilet again and just wanted to check it was still working'.

I'm not sure which was grossest - the 'again' or the actual useage. I wanted to ask her 'before or after' but was sure the answer would be 'after'.

Never keep your phone in your back pocket.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Little Hawk
Date: 26 Oct 07 - 11:54 AM

Many, many cellphones have died an untimely death in a toilet bowl! ;-) Some have even been flushed down the drain.

I had that unfortunate event happen with a set of contact lenses once, still in their case... (sigh)

Then there was the striped cat, Roger, who used to hang precariously over the rim of the toiler seat to get a nice, fresh, cool drink of water. stretching his neck to its maximum, he would lap delicately at the limpid pool of life-giving aqua. One day Roger leaned just a fraction of an inch too far...and slipped! But that was not all. Roger's hind foot happened to strike the handle on the toilet as he plunged into the interior of the toilet bowl, raising a big splash. This toilet had a hair trigger handle. As the horrified Roger thrashed about in the toilet, he heard a rushing sound, and felt an irresistible undertow pulling at his vitals! Around and around Roger spun in the devouring whirlpool, struggling in vain as he felt himself being pulled deeper, deeper...his last view of the world he had merrily romped through, decapitating mice and dismembering songbirds, was seen in the form of a spinning kaleidoscope of toilet bowl sides and bathroom ceiling, and then -------

KER-FLUSH!!!!!!   

No more Roger.

*****

Ahem. Bill, you are absolutely right. However, I do go out quite a bit. I go out most days. But there's usually no particular need for me to phone anyone while I am out. If there is such a need, I do the old-fashioned thing and find a phone booth. That might happen once or twice a year...   Seriously.

I'll say this though...it's scandalous how scarce the once common phone booths have become. And it's even more scandalous that you can't even phone a phone booth anymore! They changed that because they discovered that homeless people, street people, and poverty-stricken people were using local phone booths on city streets so that someone could contact them at certain times of the day if they had some casual labor for them or something like that. People who could not afford a phone were thereby able to have some form of long range contact with the rest of the world. No more. "Fuck the poor!" said the $ySStem. Bastards.

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Oct 07 - 12:20 PM

Even if you find a phone booth, you generally won't find a phone book in it.

You didn't really lose a cat down the loo, did you?

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: jeffp
Date: 26 Oct 07 - 12:23 PM

Actually, the reason around here why you can't phone a phone booth is that drug dealers were using them for transacting business. That way they could receive calls without a definite trace being put on them.

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Little Hawk
Date: 26 Oct 07 - 12:35 PM

Heh! Heh! No... Just having a little imaginative fun there. I have owned numerous cats who drank out of the toilet bowl, but none have met that grisly fate yet. One did fall in once, though, and the ensuing second or two of frenzy was quite something to witness. He got out almost as fast as he went in, and he managed to get water all over the place. Having gotten out, he took off "like a greased fart down a lightning rod" (as Lame Deer used to say), and was not seen again for several hours.

He eventually reappeared, acting very casual...."Dum-de-dum...(yawn)...my, what a dull day, isn't it? Nothing going on at all today. Nope, nothing happening here. Dum-de-dum..."

*****

What you usually find here in a phone booth is the tattered remains of various parts of a phone book, out of which various jerks have torn the pages they "needed". The $ySStem makes little effort to replace those damaged phone books, because I think they are planning on just letting all the phone booths deteriorate now rather than spend any money keeping them up anymore. That has sort of been happening with roads, bridges, and other stuff too...ever since the "common sense" revolution was brought in by Ontario's Conservative Party (now out of office): the "Common Sense Revolution" was their name for their neocon philosophy which is to eviscerate public services and privatize everything, handing it over to your friends and cronies in the private sector, who give you a nice kickback under the table and then decrease public services and double the end user fees.

The Conservatives eventually got kicked out of office here for performing that evisceration, but whoever gets elected in to replace them does little, if anything, to change it. Privatization goes on. Public services decline. Fees go up.

The faces in power change, the game remains the same, and the game is all about money.

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Little Hawk
Date: 26 Oct 07 - 12:43 PM

Jeff, I don't doubt that drug dealers were using them. I'm sure it was a factor.

It was also true, however, that street people and homeless people were using them...because they could not afford to own a phone. I knew a young man who used to find all his work that way. He did a lot of casual work for some hotshot named "Benny"...such as delivering flyers, worm-picking, moving, other casual labor. Benny would call the number of the booth around 9 AM and 2 PM if he had some work for Jim. Jim knew this and would hang around near the booth and answer it if it rang. This was Jim's way of finding some work and earning some money.

Having known Jim for a few years, I know the spot he was in. Simply due to his background, how he had grown up, he was never going to make it in regular society...but he wasn't stupid. He was simply disadvantaged by his past. I'ts a long story. He often told me that he wouldn't live past 30, and I wouldn't be surprised if he turned out to be right about that. I haven't seen him since the early 80's.

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: number 6
Date: 20 Nov 07 - 08:05 AM

Here's an interesting CBC article specifically relating to this thread.

a useful tool ?


biLL

Subject: RE: BS: Overheard Conversations: Cell phones
From: Mr Red
Date: 20 Nov 07 - 08:19 AM

I once overheard the phrase "there's an awful noise coming from the back of you"

The UK radio program "Quote, unquote" calls these eaves-droppings.