Public Transportation and the Tyranny of the Cell Phone User

We all love our cell phones! Ok, no argument there. But what about those cell phone yakkers that make your life miserable when forced to listen to their inane conversations while riding a public vehicle?

I am a big believer in public transportation and take advantage of it whenever I can. For work, I ride my bike to the bus, take the bus to work, and then reverse the process. For California travel (and I do a lot of it), I try to take the Amtrak train/bus and leave our one automobile at home. I also take planes for long-distance travel.

So, you are about to ask, what's my point? It's those cell phone users on public vehicles that feel the necessity to discuss just about everything imaginable while sitting next to me or within earshot. Not only is it loud and distracting, but at times it is so personal that I am embarrassed to overhear what is being discussed. The favorite topic by far are boyfriends and girlfriends, particularly jilted lovers. Health issues--ones I never want to hear about--are also a common topic of discussion. And financial issues--I never thought people could get themselves into such fiscal messes--come in at a high number three.

Why must these people spend so much time on their cell phone in a public place talking about the most intimate aspects of their life? Don't they realize that their voice is being heard by at least a quarter of the people on the bus or train? Do they think that they live in their own bubble?

Not only are they invading my space with unwanted personal nonsense, but so many of these yakkers use a stream of four letter swear words (sometimes including racial overtones) that are both crude and offensive. And when they finally finish with a half hour or more of talk and finally click off...yep, you guessed it: the phone rings (oops, my bad, I mean a ring-tone) and the conversation begins again.

I must be too old, for I do not understand the need people have to share their personal lives with others. My most fervent prayer is, however, that I am able to continue air travel a few more years without the tyranny of the cell phone user forcing me out of my much-too-small seat, forcing me away from the seat back in front of me that is crushing my knees, abandoning my plastic glass of soda and ultimately locking myself in the disinfectant smelling toilet until touchdown (only hours away!).

Coming Soon...

1. Where are our private sector leaders?
2. City Council action on median islands is a good first step.
3. "Choice" for parents and students in our local schools.

Comments are welcome. Click on "Comments" below or e-mail abriancalhoun@gmail.com.