Word Sell. Inc. has an ongoing group blogging project on Cellphone Users and Abusers. Since the topic is interesting, I now give my two cents’ worth on it. It helps that am in the Philippines, the so-called “texting capital of the world.” This way I get to see cellphone mania in action. Here goes my Top 3 Cellphone Peeves:
1. Texting when it’s not safe.
An example of this is using/not turning off the cellphone in the airplane, before take-off or even upon landing. Am afraid of flying so I get paranoid when somebody insists on texting, as we all know that wireless signals can interfere with the aircraft’s navigation/communication device. There’s such a thing as an Offline Mode, all right, but most airlines still prohibit cellphone use at crucial points, or until the plane has skidded to a complete stop.
Texting while driving … this is self-explanatory really. I just know that somebody’s doing it when am on the road and the car in front of me is moving real slow. Too bad that the law on using cellphones in the road is not fully enforced in the country, in the same way as the seatbelt rule. But yes, you do imagine how disastrous the consequences are using the cellphone while driving in a busy highway? Funny, but am sure some people still insist on doing it.
Oh, I would follow the rule too against using cellphones while inside the banks. With the ever-present possibility of bank or money-related robberies in these parts, there must a reason why security personnel implement the “no cellphone rule.” It’s for our own good.
2. Not using the cellphone’s Silent Mode.
Wonder why even the most educated people are guilty of this, or don’t spare us the ignominy of their ring tones. Yes, there’s such a thing s a Silent Mode when you’re in a meeting, funeral, concert, moviehouse, etc. Nuff said 😀
3. Using far-from-literate text lingo.
Yes it’s true, in the texting capital of the world, text lingo has evolved into a life of its own, one that will put Uncle Webster to shame.
“Wer na u? W8 me u d2 sa Country Style, 8s nir Bayo.” DUH.
I dread the day when my kids write in text lingo and think it’s the right way to communicate. Am just lucky that the boyfriend texts me with “we’re” and “you’re,” as necessary, not UR or WER 😀 Makes me feel that everything’s normal with the world.
Last word: there’s life after cellphones!
Am guilty of quite a few of these. But I don’t text in meetings, answer calls in meetings, or talk when am doing any real driving.
Off the road and into a ditch is a real possibility here, and you’d need a wrecker to pull me out. Roads turn to mud, once it rains.
Anna and I use a touch of shorthand, but I prefer complete sentences. Please don’t let me be misunderstood 😀
And never, ever use data roaming with an iPhone, if you can help it 😀
PHAIL! On second thought, I think LOLspeak is acceptable 😀
Hi Ajay, great post. Like Mr Z, I plead guilty. One thing I’ve learned is to turn off my phone at funerals, etc., because I can never figure out how to get out of silent mode.
(BTW, the image is improperly displayed on flickr. It is the property of my client and should link to http://www.cellhell55.com.)
Great post. My friend Zara says that if you think an incoming call or message is very important then you shouldn’t get on the plane in the first place. I wonder my people have to be told to turn off their phones before they actually do. I still remember the day somebody texted me wru. Personally, I don’t use shortcuts. I think the dictionary and predictive texting that come with the phone are great aids.
true, true. avoid using gprs when roaming. you’ll get a heart attack once you see your bill.
Gladly I’m not used to text lingo. I’m having a hard time reading SMS from some of my contacts, especially those from my Mom. Looks like they’re all acronyms. =)
You will be pleased to know that on some ailines in Europe mobile phones are now allowed for the whole duration of the flight on an experimental basis, which probably means that it will soon be the norm to use them on all planes at all times. Just imagine how awful long haul will be with all them pointless overly loud calls…..
i use a lot of public transport, i do not pick up my phone while on transit…
Jay and I hate text lingo and texting drivers with a passion. Here in CA we do have a law in place against cellphone use while driving but we still see a lot who get away with it and we’re pretty miffed.
Anyway… hey Ajay! 🙂
I don’t think sms language is a bad thing, provided there’s a time and a place for it. It’s just part of the evolution of our language. Think about people in the 1800’s – they’d think our “proper english” was quite ridiculous.
Mullygrub, the only real issue I ever have with cell shorthand is the way it seems to supplant correct grammar when its’ users move to other modes, i.e. email, for example.
If you wanna speak the dialects, you should begin with a grounding in the basics. Am most concerned when my Nieces and Nephews are more fluent in cell jargon than actual written and spoken English.
Imagine writing a business letter, a complaint, or a contract in this sort of language. I just don’t want folks to let their command of English in all its’ forms atrophy, for the sake of brevity.