Assignment for week 4

In todays' world, the invention of cellular telephones seem like a Godsend. The fact of the matter is many times they are a plight on our society. Many individuals, such as myself, are very busy with day-to-day activities and do rely on our "cell phones" to keep in touch and updated on any changes in our schedules. However, as a retail manager, I can tell you these phones can be a huge problem. Hear me out. Have you ever been standing in line at say, Subway, and been behind a cell user who happens tobe chatting with a friend about things occurring the night before? Not only are you getting information you may not want to know about your "line friend" but they are holding up the entire process? How about waiting at a red light and the driver in front of you is chatting or even worse text messaging someone and doesn't notice the light is green? I know I have. In these cases, in the days before technology, a simple clearing of the throat or toot of your horn brought people back to life and your day moved on. Now if you interupt the "cell" process, you get the look of ill fate or even a very crude jesture. So what do we do?

The use of cell phones in public and while driving have been in debate from the onset of the trend, and now that these devices are so prevelant in our culture and technology has since expanded, publications specializing in "modern manners" have chimed in and created new etiquate rules for these little wonders. State governments have passed laws banning cell use while driving, unless you have a hands free phone. Hands free phones, Who Knew???

The fact of the matter is our culture today is one of excess. We cannot do things half way, it is all or nothing. The simple little device that could have been useful has turned into a nightmare for some. I have seen children, young children, carrying around a cell phone and knowing how to use it well. That may be a good idea to keep the children in communication, but the children know more about these phones than most parents. I am sure the debate will ride on long after I give up, but the fact is we as a society must realize that our phone conversations may not be appropriate for all ears and use common sense, we do not like it when our privacy is invaded, so wouldn't make sense to keep our converstaions between the person we're talking to and ourselves? And remember, "Miss Manners" says always leave your cell phone on vibrate in public. Gotta Go have a Call!!!! :)

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