Annoying to listen to. At present the lack of this is a great thing about the in flight evironment. If (when) cell phones are allowed in flight, it will be another step downhill for air travel. At some point, when the inconveniences outweigh the benefits, people will fly less. And I believe the airlines are concerned with this issue. They should be with the prohibition of beverages, added security times, and more cramped planes already making people think twice about flying. I know, business is great now, but I think the airlines will be very reluctant to allow cell phone use.

May not matter if the UK cell phone prohibition sticks or becomes worldwide.

At DTW this afternoon. Went into the men's room

2 maybe 3 guys were on the crappers talking and doing their business. How rude!

Yeah, it is good for me because now when I talk to my imaginary friend people just think that I am on the phone. ;)

Cell Phone Courtesy in Japan
 

Had a friend just return from Japan and he mentioned how strange it was that he did not find a single person using a cell phone in a resturant, on the subway , and in general where it could be considered rude....

What bothers me most is the "me first" attitude that people have when it comes to their cell phone use... it wasn't too many years ago when all those conversations could have happened at a more appropriate time... instead cell phone ringing and talking ruins many public places.

That's mostly true for countries were cell phones have been available for a very long time; Scandinavian countries, Japan etc. In US, cell phones are still a pretty new thing...

It is funny that I ran across this thread because I just finished posting a rant in the NWA forum that included my thoughts on cellphone usage on aircraft. I will state it here also......first airline that totally bans cellphone usage on their aircraft (before and after boarding door is closed) gets my 140k-150k flying miles per year. Maybe I should put together a letter and send it out to all the airlines letting them know this......laughing.

Usually, the last guy to put away his cell phone, is the first guy to recline his seat into his neighbor's lap(top).

This thread started out with commentary pertaining to a banner image at www.hilton.com. Although it was given a chance to exist in the Hilton forum, most of this discussion really has nothing to do with Hilton hotels or the Hilton HHonors frequent guest program.

The new home for this thread is now the TravelBuzz! forum.

Regards,

Canarsie
Co-Moderator, Hilton forum

That is so true! Japanese people have MUCH better cell phone manners than Americans.

Whereas China and Korea are rude cellphone behavior central.

Exactly. My mobile is on vibrate and stays off most of the time. If I am expecting a call and out with a friend etc., I tell them I may have to take a call - they know I am self-employed and understand. Should the call come, up from the table/bar whatever and out into the hall or outside. The call is between me and the other party, no-one else.

I wrote this essay about this subject 3 years ago. Still too pertinent.

http://www.ratisher.com/cells_and_airports.htm

And because it is a one-way conversation, I either am startled when they start speaking (to no one) or feel the need to listen and answer. Two-way conversations, as long as they aren't too loud, are easier to ignore.

How very true!!! Inappropriate/self-important "to heck with the next person" cell phone use is yet another symptom of the overall decline of common courtesy and politeness in modern society.

That said, IMHO, there are many worse examples of everyday rudeness than the moron who "just can't wait" a few minutes to make/take his/her call.

Ah, but you're forgetting about the wonderful invention called the Nextel phone and their walkie talkie feature. No longer must you be disturbed by only one side of a conversation, you can now be treated to both sides broadcast at full volume with an annoying chirp in between speakers. :td: :td: :td: :mad: