I Voted

ROFLMAO - that's what I think. And while I know there are some people that definitely benefit from having wireless communication - there is a limit. And in an area like this, so many people have them on at all times just because...well, they must be important.

What is so odd to me now is all the people jogging down the street just talking to the air - and not quietly. But, they've got their earpieces in, and are chatting away. Half of these conversations that you overhear seem to be just chit chat. And at the parties - well, I guess I think it's just rude to be at some social event, but you're constantly answering your phone to chat with someone else - as if looking for a better entertainment option

Ellice

There is no doubt that these are useful, time-saving devices. But, as you yourself pointed out - your daughter uses it to save on trips from office to the docks. Is she carting it around at social events when not on some kind of work call? Is that supposed to be some zing at Americans? Rescue workers using a wireless device to be notified of calls is pretty standard - are you implying that I or some of us "Americans" would only find it justifiable if it were for the purpose of rescuing Americans?

Donna, Caryn & I live in an area with an overwhelming percentage of people wearing/carrying their bluetooth and blackberry devices. All the time. Regardless of when/where. All those people aren't saving lives, rushing to the rescue of some lost or stranded tourist (even Canadian ones), being called to emergency surgery, or the like. Obviously there are people that for various reasons of urgency stay connected. Similarly, every realtor in town seems to have their bluetooth on all the time.

It is a question of situation, environment, and general courtesy, IMO. In the region where you live, I'd venture to say that there is not quite the gadget prevalence which we see here in the DC area. I understand when a rescue worker has their device on all the time - and answers it. I do the same. OTOH, it's just weird when you're out with friends, and they get a call, and go chat on their bluetooth - leaving you hanging about like an extra appendage. And, usually you can hear the chat - and that's all it is. Furthermore - as Donna referred to parties with all these hooked up, wired in folks - well, unless the party is the Cabinet, or similar, chances are that all those folks don't really need to have their device hanging on their ear all the time.

Here, our Fire and Rescue have radios when they're not ot the station or on the engine/ambulance - when on duty. When off duty, yup, carry the cell-phone. Even then, the bluetooth is a matter of taste and choice.

ellice

Same thing here, because it's the state capital. Yes, there are people who are indispensible to the government and need to be connected all the time, but there are a lot who just want to look more important than they are.

I own a cell phone for reasons of personal safety, but only 3 or 4 people have the number, because I don't WANT to be bothered 24/7. There are times I simply don't feel like answering the phone, or I'm on deadline and don't have time to answer the phone, so the people who have the number are those who can be trusted to use it only in emergencies.

Did you hear that Budweiser Salutes radio ad this summer, where they saluted the "really loud cell phone talker."?

"nothing says I'm important like yelling 'I'm important' into your cellphone."

So, Dude now asks "Are you important" when he calls our cells, and we shout (ok, not so much as to deafen him) "I'm Important!"

Yeah, we are a weird family.

Caryn

Yes, she pretty much keeps it with her 24/7 and feels for all there is a small penalty to that, at least she can see whether something is really important and needs to be handled right away. Previously she would get a call with no details, rather than be able to speak to the Captain direct.

Is that supposed to be some zing at Americans?

Is that supposed to show a lack of humour ?

Rescue

I am having a hard time trying to figure out how your brain took you there.

Well that is not the habit here and when I see people doing so, I do give them the benefit of the doubt as I know of several people for whom, as in my daughter, it has been a boon.

Our super wears a blue tooth as well, very useful for her, she can keep right on doing what she is doing when people call to tell her something. If I am chatting with her and she gets a call, I can either wait till she finishes (she'll indicate to me whether this is going to take time) or wave and go on my way. It would seem that our use is likely much more civilized, so I would still say, not everybody can be branded as stupid for wearing a blue tooth or carrying a blackberry.

My son can be on duty, but clear of the lighthouse because he can be down at the boat in minutes, rather than being stuck either in the house or on the boat needlessly. It gives freedom from proximity to the radio.

I am not rushing to judgement on this issue. I agree that sometimes it's important to be in touch. I understand their importance while working. What I am pissed off about is the social abuse of these devices. I don't need to listen to other peoples' conversations in public. Nor do I need to feel less important than their little machines while at a social function. If someone whipped out a book and started reading in the middle of a party, people would consider them ill-mannered and boorish. But pull out a crackberry and start tapping in the middle of a conversation and that's acceptable? I don't think so.

D>

These things can be very useful. Users just need to use some courtesy and remember that they really aren't appropriate everywhere. Church, the theatre, etc. I figured the phone thing at the polls could just have easily been an issue with people using camera phones to take pictures of other folks' ballots.

The vicar in our previous parish had a very effective technique when a member of a christening party had a mobile phone which rang during the ceremony. He would simply stop what he was doing, look at the "offender" and wait until he/she either turned off the instrument or took it outside the church to answer whatever vital call it was conveying. If you knew Fr Allan you would know the effect of one of his "looks" - just read his letters at

Will do ! I think the next time will be sometime in March.

Alison

That's true. But the phone thing at the polls is actually a law. I believe it has to do with invasion of privacy, and the ability for someone to potentially make calls relaying information as to the voting. Especially if there are official poll watchers in place - they're entitled to hear the names, affiliations of voters as they're checked in. And there are counts taken every hour, etc - so I think it's all of the above.

In Virginia for a state election you're supposed to show a photo id now - and we had a couple of people get really testy about that - asking why, we politely said it's a law, then getting some grief in response - one woman get pretty loud after the 3rd time we told her it's a law, then she said "only if everyone else is doing it" - which we pointed out was the case - she was still making loud remards en route to vote. The next guy then offered to give us "spit, a hair, a fingerprint..." what else did we need" - just a photo i.d. And it can be a work i.d., etc though preferably not a Costco card (unless it's an employee i.d.). We sent the chief out to see if the political workers out front were getting feisty after having this handful all in a group coming in seeming a bit cranky.

ellice

It's good that a look will work. We've gotten used to the theater announcement reminding folks to turn off pagers, phones, crackberries, digital watches and any other electronic devices. Though, when we went to Cirque du Soleil on the 29th - the announcement cleverly said "we thank you for waiting to TURN ON your phones, pagers, watches until AFTER the performance" It got a chuckle - and none went off during the performance. When we were at a show last year - maybe RSC? - a phone went off during the performance, from people that had gotten there late, and were way down front. They stopped the performance and waited. Talk about embarassing.

ellice

Sorry - byt the way you threw in the gratuitous rescuing of "even American..." (original quote inserted here):

" My son might be ashore with blue tooth in his ear in order that he can repair to the boat immediately to go to sea to rescue a fisherman, a yachtsman, yes even American ones who have lost their way from New England."

Did seem to be somewhat of a zing - as if we'd think the only reason this was justified would be to include Americans in those rescued. It's not as if you haven't made anti-American remarks in the past. And with no emoticons or abbreviated suggestions of humor - in my reading there was no evidence of humourous intent.

See above.

I can understand that.

I didn't say anyone was stupid for wearing such a device. And, we agree that there are people whom genuinely need to be constantly accessible. But, in this environment it seems there is a much larger percentage of people wearing them than actually have genuine need - which around here equates to a seeming quest for demonstration of status. It's not unlike 10 years ago when every high school kid had to have a pager - which turned out that the critical uses were really for drug dealers. I mean, honestly, how many high school kids do you know that really, really, need to have their phone on them all the time (that they're not in class). Yes, I know - parents and kid need to be able to communicate an emergency - but realistically - isn't most of what high schoolers, etc., are passing on the non-stop communication devices relatively aimless chit-chat? And all these important people - it sounds an awful lot like groceries, and who's meeting at what restaurant ... The really, really important conversations - well, for work - I'm not doing it on a blue-tooth device - that's for sure.

And your son is a great example of someone using technology well. It seems like your environment is much more relaxed way of life WRT the demonstration of importance which is prevalent in the DC area. And other metro areas, I'd guess. I think Donna' and my point are that common civility and manners have been overcome by the obtrusive abundance of wireless communications. So, we see a lack of patience, rudeness to those around you, and from people who don't really think or realize that they're being rude - but this lack of consideration, as if to say "I'm important, whoever is calling me is important, and at least more important than who I'm with" . The perpetual looking for a better offer (as when we'd talk about some girl dumping her plans with girl friends because suddenly a boy called - this is the in your face technological equivalent). Personally, my poor DH has a hard time telling his crazy DS that we'll call her back - because, well, if the phone rang, and we answered it then we have to stay on the phone - meanwhile, dinner is cooling. I'll just say "J - we'll call you back in a while - we're eating dinner" but sometimes she'll just flip because, oh, my, we must not think she's important if we're going to hang up. Then again - she has plenty of issues.

Be happy that you don't live someplace like this - I'd be prepared to guarantee that one night out at some nice restaurant with all these people around you talking into the air, would have you plenty irked.

ellice

Mind you, I'm originally from New York where we see nothing wrong with butting into other people's conversations....

One of my techniques for dealing with the loud conversations around me is to answer all their questions. And when they get irked, I point out that there is no one else around, so I simply assumed that they were talking to me and didn't want to be rude by not responding to their attempt at polite conversation.

Because, you're right, 99% of the conversations I overhear seem to involve such pressing government-executive-level questions as "what are you doing for dinner" and "do you have plans for Saturday". Obviously, if I were to run into Ahhhhnoldt discussing on his cell phone what to do about the latest forest fire, I would know that conversation isn't directed at me.

Because that is very frequently what he does. In case you are not aware of it, NS and Maine are a spit away by sea.

You will find I don't use emoticons, there are plenty of people who could tell you that. Yes, I have made anti-American comments, is that a crime ? Is it not allowed by Homeland Security or something ? There have also been plenty of anti-Canadian comments and also nearly every year when Canadian Thanksgiving comes round, somebody pipes up and says 'but Thanksgiving is a couple of months away' - ...

It is not like that where I live. I was merely pointing out one cannot paint everybody with the same brush.

I don't know people like that, and am not aware of hearing them either. Odd times I have heard people on cells in grocery stores checking as to what to buy, very human I would say.

I was out tonight and there was not one cell phone, blue tooth, blackberry in evidence. Guess we are just very laid back, calm people. What say you Mavia, or Gillian if you are reading this ?

Anyway, although I have edited, this post is waaaaaay too long.

Well, actually - I was aware. My assumption that your son would be rescuing foundering sailors regardless of their nationality - hence, why throw in the crack to point out that Americans get lost, too.

I know you don't use emoticons - that's been discussed over the years - with you making many remarks about those who do. However, since you also choose not to use any abbreviations that indicate emotional tone - such as - your humor may just be too subtle for some of us.

Nope, not a crime to make anti-American, or anti-anything comments - you're certainly entitled to your opinions. Given that, why would you question anyone thinking you're making one? What has this to do with any politics - or more just a convenient device to escalate into a political criticism? And, perhaps when someone ignorant of Canadian Thanksgiving pipes up with their ignorance, instead of assuming it to be anti-Canadian, why not show the benefit of the doubt? Many Americans aren't aware of the Canadian holidays - especially similar ones to ours which fall on different dates. FWIW, most of the calendars we have do show the Canadian holidays, but I imagine that in areas where people don't have contact with many Canadians, or any, or hockey - they're probably ignorant of the Canadian calendar. For goodness sake, when someone doesn't know what or when Guy Fawkes or Boxing day is do you assume they're anti-British?

Duh. I agree. Ibid. You did seem to be assuming that I, and likely Donna, were however ignorant of that, and by making comments about this were indeed assuming there was no legitimate usage. So, essentially your comments read as if we were the ignorant provincials, unable to accept modern conveniences. Hardly the truth. I understand where you are is different.

You're lucky. And you're right - it's perfectly reasonable to call when on an errand and needing information. However, that is not the case which I've been pointing out. OTOH, if you're at a lunch meeting and someone suddenly starts discussing their dinner list - what would you think? Or you've met someone for a social appointment, or you're sitting in the café at a bookstore, and the person with you suddenly flips the switch and is discussing what you're doing, or the groceries - while ignoring you or the people they're with.

My point exactly - your environment is quite different than ours. So why can't you accept that ours is different rather than seeming to accuse us of misrepresenting the situation here?

It is long - but even with editing I'd rather stay in context.

ellice

Really ? It could be true.

However, since you also choose

That also could be true.

Go back to the beginning when all I said to Donna was that one should not judge everyone by the technology they were using. However, I guess that is too much criticism for you.

Do you see how that reads ? We live next door to you and many of you do not realize our Thanksgiving is in October, I think you would find it hard to find any Canadian who does not know, or learn at school, that the US one is late November. We do celebrate Boxing Day and I think most Canadians would tell you what Guy Fawkes represents. That's a history lesson most children enjoy. Do US children not learn the history of other countries ? At least the salient points anyway ?

Quote me where I said that ? I think I pointed out that not all people using these devices were not using them wisely and to their advantage. I think rather that YOU were making the point about these terrible people, with cells and blackberrys all chatting away about irrelevant garbage.

Hardly the truth. I understand where you are is different.

Good then that is established. We are provincial and happy about that, not addicted to the use of cells and blackberries but using them to our advantage.

I would get up and leave and disregard that person in future -

I see. I should not have been permitted to state that not everyone is necessarily abusing technology ? I thought I was entitled to say that I find it different. Oh well.

I'm going to repeat something I said in an earlier note, but this time to BOTH OF YOU, LIGHTEN UP!!! You're really not completely disagreeing and the fine points are "pointless."

To state it simply, no. US children barely learn any history of the US. We did study some other countries one year in social studies--Guatemala, Nigeria, and Belgium (I think). We NEVER talked about Canada in a social studies/history class. Britain? No. ENGLAND was the enemy when the US was fighting to become a country. We studied ancient history one year in high school. Cuneiform, hieroglyphics, The Hanging Gardens, Hammurabi, etc. You know, stuff that is old enough not to be considered highly controversial.

My generation most likely "learned" about Boxing Day from Bob & Doug McKenzie's "Twelve Days of Christmas". The current lot don't even have that. And why should we learn about Guy Fawkes when we don't even talk about Veteran's Day? Occasionally one of the foreign exchange students would talk about holidays and traditions from home, but that was the closest we got to learning such things.

But then aga> Do you see how that reads ? We live next door to you and many of you

I love it. Just like I always know it's my SIL calling because she starts the conversation with, "Hellomoto."

Donna in Virginia