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Like millions of others, you may be the victim of cell phone abuse. What is cell phone abuse? Let's say you're in a public place trying to concentrate on something or having a face-to-face conversation or just enjoying a peaceful moment when a stranger 5-10 feet away starts talking on his or her cell phone. Your concentration is broken or your conversation is interrupted or your peaceful moment ruined, because you can't seem to ignore the intrusion, and you can't help but overhear the talker's side of the conversation (or both sides if it's a walkie-talkie cell phone). Extensive cell phone use while strangers are near, and engaged in something in which they would prefer not to be interrupted, is an invasion of privacy. It's inconsiderate, it's annoying, it's discourteous.
And worse, it's abuse.
And if you, the victim of cell phone abuse, politely (or rudely) interrupt the abuser (as they talk on and on) and ask them kindly to take their cell phone elsewhere, or kindly be quiet; they are disturbing you, you are too often met with a perplexing look or even more abuse, as in "what's YOUR problem, I'm on the phone here!" Sure. Every cell phone call is important and meaningful ... so important and meaningful that people share it with total strangers in public! Pul-eese.
Symptoms of cell phone abuse
while in the immediate vicinity of strangers using their cell phone common symptons may include:
__ inability to concentrate on what you are doing
__ irritability or annoyance
__ sensitivity to stupid or loud ring tones
__ initially thinking the cell phone user is actually talking to YOU
__ wishing they would hurry up and finish the call
__ wishing they would leave
__ wishing their cell phone battery would die
Cell phone abuse is a worldwide epidemic which is now affecting millions of men, women and children, with no relief in sight.
To the victims of cell phone abuse we say; we feel your pain and, though it's difficult, you will survive this horrible public abuse.
To the cell phone abusers we say ... try a little cell phone courtesy ... and do not burden or abuse others with your pseudo social and/or business self-importance. Or, at least, if you are in public and there are strangers around, keep your cell phone calls interesting ... and short. On behalf of us millions of victims of cell phone abuse, thank you.
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