OPINION & EDITORIAL
Cell phone etiquette checkup
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Also by Lindsay Zuckerman:
- Graduation's approach brings insight (April 5, 2005)
- Greek life can be positive, too (April 12, 2005)
- Cell phone etiquette checkup (April 26, 2005)
- Past, present collegiate friendships (March 15, 2005)
- A spring break phenomenon (March 8, 2005)
Related Stories:
- Technology takes odiferous route (September 27, 2004)
- Sprint cell-phone service appalling (September 13, 2001)
- Students' negligence unsafe (November 16, 2006)
- Phone, music ban when walking silly (February 9, 2007)
by Lindsay Zuckerman
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
You see them everywhere. Walking up the hill in between classes. Walking on State Street. Even working out at the gym. And they’re usually by themselves, yet they all have one thing in common. A cell phone is suitably glued to an ear, be it bedazzled or not. I have wondered, however, just whom are these people talking to? What is so important at 10:58 a.m. before class to be talking excitedly on the phone about nothing, but loudly enough so that everyone can hear?
In a recent New York Times article, a professor of communication at Rutgers University was interviewed concerning classroom research he had conducted based on people talking on the phone around you. Surprisingly enough, 93 percent of respondents in one of the classrooms admitted to making “fake calls,” in which they were simply pretending to talk to Dick or Jane or whoever their imaginary friend was at the spur of the moment.
I was in New York last December and remember being in a bank where a man was sitting on a chair in the lobby-area talking on the phone, changing the names of the people he was talking to, fighting with them one minute, laughing the next. Here was a prime example of someone using the cell phone as a decoy, but this was possibly a man with schizophrenia, not a college student on his or her way to class. The thought of actually making up a conversation boggles my mind. Why is it nowadays people aren’t comfortable enough being alone, or get bored with themselves so quickly they jump into a fantasy-type conversation for the 8-minute walk to lunch?
I decided to ask a random sample of college students if they actually ever made up conversations to “blend in” to their surroundings or whatever the purpose may have been. One girl told me “I don’t really like to walk alone. Having awkward little stop-and-chats with the people that you sometimes say ‘hi’ to, but not always. It’s just easier to avoid it.” Another said, “If I can’t get a hold of anyone specific, I’ll leave messages for a lot of people so at least I’m not pretending to call people. But sometimes when I leave these messages and the person calls me back, I really have nothing to say to them so I just won’t answer. So I guess that’s just as bad.”
What may be worse than the cleverly dubbed “cellphonies” by the Times is cell phone etiquette. I’m sure you’ve seen a group of friends walking down the street all talking on their cell phones at the same time. Then what’s the point of actually spending time with someone? It’s bad enough to answer your phone while you’re out to eat with a group of people or even on a date, but when someone goes as far as to keep it placed on the table, we’ve got a problem. Unless Hollywood’s calling to sign you for the next big film, turn it off.
I believe that more people nowadays are concerned with their relationships with their pieces of technology — Blackberries and Sidekicks included. Unless you’re in the corporate world, what’s the importance of checking your e-mail via cell phone during breakfast, or instant messaging away from your computer? There are even those people who can’t put their phone down even at the gym. I know if you’ve been in a cardio room recently, you’ve seen at least one person talking away on their phone. As an avid runner myself, I for one know that it’s a lot easier to catch your breath if you’re not speaking. Not to mention annoying everyone around you.
I’m pretty sure that if you leave your phone at home for a day, the world won’t come to an end. Try it. You may actually be surprised how nice it is not to be able to be reached at all times. And you may also take a little time to enjoy yourself.
Lindsay Zuckerman (lzuckerman@badgerherald.com) is a senior majoring in journalism.
Anonymous (April 25, 2005 @ 10:57pm):
My girlfriend is 5'2", 105 pounds. She sometimes make phony cell phone calls when she is walking home alone late at night. For her, it's a matter of safety -- a typical scumbag is probably less likely to harass or assault her if they think she is talking to someone. Of course, I'd prefer if she was actually talking to me, but I have to work late at night sometimes, so I'm not always available.
So Lindsay, are you going to tell my girlfriend she is being rude by proactively protecting herself? Or do you really think there aren't any assholes around here who attack defenseless women?
Anonymous (April 26, 2005 @ 1:37am):
can't you find something to write about that actually matters?
i hate bs 'stories' like these. you should rethink your major.
Anonymous (April 26, 2005 @ 1:52am):
If you were a good boyfriend you would walk her home.
Anonymous (April 26, 2005 @ 1:55am):
You know what I haven't had in awhile? Big League Chew.
Anonymous (April 26, 2005 @ 5:44am):
Less likely to assault someone that is preoccuppied on a phone. Not only are you a ass for not walking her home, but you are a complete DUMBASS for having someone not pay attention to their surrondings. Here's an idea for your girlfriend, have her wear a sign home at night saying her boyfriend is an asshole and do with me what you please. That is being proactive.
Anonymous (April 26, 2005 @ 6:33am):
"Of course, I'd prefer if she was actually talking to me, but I have to work late at night sometimes, so I'm not always available."
Oh that was your girlfriend I heard talking on her phone on Broom the other night. I think she was saying something about how she "didn't want to tell him" that on spring break "She was itchy in her cootch" from sleeping with the "moped guy". Something like that...
Anonymous (April 26, 2005 @ 7:53am):
Typical exchange on my morning walk to class:
[smoke billowing from p-funk lite cigarette] "Ohhh my gawd I am like, so hung over. Good thing I stopped at starbucks to get my double carmel mocha latte. No I didn't sleep with him, well ok yada yada"
[now half way up bascom]
"Oh my gawd! I see you!" [waves to clone 12 feet away]
Anonymous (April 26, 2005 @ 8:00am):
To the guy with the gf: how full of yourself are you. What exactly is the point on letting us all know your gf's stats. Knowing you have a 5.2 girl thats only 100 lbs does absolutely nothing to tell us about saftey, but only make you look like a stud to the other posters. You must be a frat boy.
Anonymous (April 26, 2005 @ 8:47am):
5.2? eyes of blue?
tootsie tootsie tootsie too?
Allright, my leg is longer now - you can stop pulling.
Anonymous (April 26, 2005 @ 9:16am):
I forgot to add earlier that lindsay is hot.
Anonymous (April 26, 2005 @ 10:39am):
Hot for a bear, are you an engineer or something? Get out more!
Anonymous (April 26, 2005 @ 10:59am):
I rather like light-hearted stories (antecdotes) about campus life. Why is it necessary to be all that damn serious about everything all the time? If we at UW were all that damn smart and if our opinions were all that damn important, we'd be at Harvard , or at least major policy makers on Hillary's staff for her next campaign. Frankly, I am sick of reading the "serious" opinions of 20 year olds like me..they are all a lot of BS anyway.
Anonymous (April 26, 2005 @ 12:20pm):
To above poster:
One typically reads a newspaper to obtain information and to be stimulated into thinking about important and relevant topics. If I want to be entertained by anecdotes (not antecdotes btw) about everyday life, I'll watch Seinfeld. Lindsay's columns are just a waste of space.
Anonymous (April 26, 2005 @ 1:06pm):
for the above - if lindsay's columns are a waste of space - it's ironic you take the time to respond. you're an even bigger waste to take the time to waste more space.
to the guy with the girlfriend - do you think it's neccessary to tell your story to the people on this site? we don't care that she pretends she's on the cell - she's probably just pretending that people are following her.
Anonymous (April 26, 2005 @ 1:22pm):
I always look forward to Zuckerman's jams on here. She writes light stuff and inspires cruelty every week. It really is my favorite part of this semester's Herald. It's weird. She's hated more than Hoff, or Mac, and almost as much as Mark B. It's really the best when someone writes pieces about travelling, gadgetry and other corny shallow stuff, and posters set her on fire. It's beyond reason. Sure this stuff is soft and shallow and never hard hitting, but the reactions are mind boggling. Only a couple weeks to go before reason settles back in.
Anonymous (April 26, 2005 @ 1:28pm):
it is just a college paper after all. relax and pick up a big boy paper if you have a problem with this kind of article.
Anonymous (April 26, 2005 @ 3:06pm):
A bear? lol Nah, I'm a lawyer.
Anonymous (April 26, 2005 @ 3:17pm):
Hey Lindsay, I congradulate you on not mentioning your Dad's money or the Greek System this week.
Anonymous (April 26, 2005 @ 4:11pm):
Lindsay, I liked your column.
Previous Poster, if your girlfriend is afraid of getting attacked at night, I suggest she carry .38 Special instead of a cell phone.
Anonymous (April 26, 2005 @ 4:52pm):
If all of you had spent this much time and effort on your high school homework, you wouldn't have had to settle with attending Wisconsin. You're all a bunch of idiots, except for Lindsay who has the cajones to put her name behind her words.
Yours Truly,
Elmo
Anonymous (April 26, 2005 @ 5:04pm):
As for people talking on the phone, the place that it annoys me the most is in line at the store. nothing is more disrespectful to someone who only has to help you for a second than to be blabbing away while they ask you for your money. And the worst are the bitches who look annoyed when the cashier interrupts their conversation to ask for the bill.
Honestly, when stupid whores (Langdon girls, I'm looking at you!) are in line at stores on their phones, slap them out of their hands, it's the least you can do to make this world a better place.
Anonymous (April 26, 2005 @ 5:13pm):
"Yours Truly,
Elmo"
Elmo, if I tickle you, will you giggle like a vacuous little girl?
Anonymous (April 26, 2005 @ 5:18pm):
There is something disturbing that when a cellphone rings in a public place these days, 20 people begin patting themselves down like they've just burst into flames.
Anonymous (April 26, 2005 @ 6:05pm):
To the poster above mentioning the girls walking up bascom. I have to take issue with you on one front, normally they are getting out of a range rover that drove to the top of bascom. It is then their ugg covered feet begin to waddle to their next class.
Anonymous (April 26, 2005 @ 7:25pm):
"To the poster above mentioning the girls walking up bascom. I have to take issue with you on one front, normally they are getting out of a range rover that drove to the top of bascom. It is then their ugg covered feet begin to waddle to their next class."
And for all that, it would still be ok if the Uggs were all they were wearing.
Anonymous (April 26, 2005 @ 8:29pm):
Reading these comments are better than reading the paper.
Anonymous (April 26, 2005 @ 8:55pm):
Shitting on Zuckerman's twaddle makes me feel better about myself. I'm not ashamed of that.
Anonymous (April 27, 2005 @ 5:14pm):
here we go again - why do people hate uggs? they keep your feet warm.
and its pretty cold in wisconsin - what do you suggest they wear instead?
Anonymous (April 27, 2005 @ 5:17pm):
to the above "shitting" comment - is that necessary on this page - your pretty crude. you need to get out of the house and put those dvds away.
Anonymous (April 28, 2005 @ 2:27pm):
What will we do next year when she is gone? Maybe the Herald can start an alumni editorial column. Frankly, one of the earlier posting hit it on the mark..maybe she is smarter than we all think. She deliberately writes on simple, easy going topics and then watches the responses of the so-called intellectuals who then bash her...but , in reality, she is about to get her PhD in Psych and this has all be an experiment in how to illicit idiotic remarks masquerading as intellect. By gosh, we are her guinea pigs and dont realize it..
Anonymous (May 2, 2005 @ 10:19am):
I LOVE ELMO.
