Silence please, I am speaking.
By Glen
@glenniah (1197)
Mandurah, Australia
December 29, 2015 7:02am CST
Yesterday I went with a friend to the Marina where we could sit and enjoy the breeze and look at all the boats moored in the harbour as well as people watch. Our seat was in the sun so I smiled sweetly at the Manager and asked for a change of seats. He complied and soon we were sitting comfortably in the best position.
A short time later two young women came and sat next to us and began chatting on their mobile phones. One of them went a little further away where she didn't bother the other patrons. Her friend however, remained seated at the table and continued talking loudly into her phone. At one point I heard her say quite loudly to nobody in particular, ' be quiet, I'm speaking." This made me start conversing in a loud voice to my friend.
Eventually the two women decided they had waited long enough for their lunch and abruptly moved from the table and left the restaurant.Thankfully we were than able to enjoy our meal and the ambience of the restaurant without being forced to listen to people's life stories over the phone.
I wonder if there will ever be some rules around people yelling into mobile phones and spoiling other people's day out. Should people be able to enjoy time out without being disturbed by people yelling into their mobile phones, What do you think?
14 people like this
12 responses
@FibroGodess (540)
• United States
29 Dec 15
Not sure what's worse, loud cell phone users or loud screaming little kids.
2 people like this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
29 Dec 15
Fortunately they move away, else you will have to tolerate all their nonsense.
Sometimes I think it is a cultural thing or upbringing.
When I spoke to a colleague from China, he mentioned that the passengers on board the public buses were very quiet.
They were either sleeping or just looking out the window.
He said that in China, a public bus journey is very lively.
Everyone talks loudly!
I sure do not want to go to work in such a noisy bus.
2 people like this
@troyburns (1405)
• New Zealand
29 Dec 15
I've never understood why so many people treat their mobile phones as though they were a hotline to the President. No matter where they might be or what they might be doing, the call takes prime importance.
1 person likes this
@glenniah (1197)
• Mandurah, Australia
2 Jan 16
@troyburns
Hi Robin. I wonder what did people do before the invention of mobile phones.
@Shiva49 (26189)
• Singapore
29 Dec 15
I recall travelling long distance and one family was engaging in non-stop conversation. I told them to stop disturbing others for too long. Then an elderly gentleman had the cheek to tell me it is not a private place for me to enjoy the quiet! siva
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
29 Dec 15
If my phone rings when I am out in the company of others, I apologize to the people I am with and take the phone call, but it is brief. The first thing I ask if is everything is okay. Then if they just want to talk, I tell them I am visiting with family or friends and tell them I will call them at a later time.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (158680)
• Boise, Idaho
30 Dec 15
It all starts at home very early in life. They are taught at that time that it is okay to obnoxious, rude, crude, self involved, etc. We can thank some parents and care givers for this. Ugh!
1 person likes this
@vathsala30 (3732)
• India
29 Dec 15
That is really very bad of them. Some people though very much educated, behave like an ill mannered in public and never bother about others inconvenience but continue to behave in their own way.
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
2 Jan 16
Mobile phones have taken over some people's lives, it seems. I have a mobile phone but use it very seldom. I take it with me in case of an emergency, but if I'm with friends, or driving I don't answer it. I pretend that I'm living in the 50s and the phone is at home and I will take care of whatever, when I get home.
The only time I answer it when I'm out is if it's my grandson, but he rarely calls me. One day he called. I was at home and he wanted me to pick him up from school. He usually walks home, but he said there was a suspicious looking man parked in a truck near the school and he didn't feel safe, so I was glad that he called me and I went to the school and picked him up.
