I’m replacing my 10 Things I Learned post this week with this one for a couple of reasons. One I’ve been a cranky pants and extremely sensitive this week and I don’t want to offend anyone. (As there is always someone out there that thinks I’m talking about them.) Secondly, I did something incredibly stupid with my Smartphone and I’m still paying for the damage done. I figured I might as well share my stupidity because I got hit with another round of “Oh you’re so perfect everything is just so easy for you.” this week. So as I try to hold back the vomit in my mouth let me share with you the things I think people ( and myself) do that are stupid with Smartphones.
10. Going to the bathroom with a Smartphone in your back pocket. (This never works out. I can’t tell you how many friends I know that dropped that baby right in the toilet. I’ve been spared, but I have dropped mine on the floor of a public restroom-GROSS! Also, putting it in the pocket of you front shirt isn’t a safe bet either. So, please secure you phones in the toilet.)
9. Talking incredible loud into your phone when at a public event, out to eat, or on a train. ( I don’t really care that your Aunt Edna needs an enema or that you need to bring groceries home. While these are important things to you an entire crowd of people don’t need to be disturbed. There’s a thing called texting or walking away from the crowd is always an option.)
8. Checking your phone at the movie theater. (Annoying, I didn’t just spend a fortune to be distracted by you wanting to know what time it is. Or then there is my favorite and I’m guilty of this one: Dropping something on the floor during the movie and using my phone’s flashlight to find it. Yes, I’ve done it. I couldn’t feel around on that floor- Ewww!)
7. Talking on your phone or checking your emails while at the cash register. ( It’s just rude to the people behind you and to the person waiting on you.)
6. Having an embarrassing ringtone. ( If your ringtone for your partner is something along the lines “Hunk of Burning Love” you should maybe consider changing it.)
5. Posting too many photos. ( I will take you off my notifications list if you post too many photos. I like seeing what people are doing, but pick your pictures wisely don’t upload your entire camera roll unless you are making an album.)
4. Texting, Facebooking, and taking/posting photos while drinking. (This never has a positive outcome. Step away from the phone, have a good time and forget about it in the morning. Only bad things can come from doing any of these things with your phone.)
3. Bringing your phone to a party and spending more time with it than the guests. ( Checking on the kids- got it- checking Facebook-Blah!)
2. Walking and texting, checking messages or your emails. ( Epic Fail on this one! While I never do this in the city I thought I would be okay walking through the parking lot of a local hospital. I was wrong. I fell and my phone went flying. I couldn’t move because I was in shock and I could feel the blood running down my knees. I limped to the car and examined my ripped pants. Stupid, stupid, stupid. I cleaned and iced myself when I got home, but was in pain for 2 days and it’s been a week and I still can’t kneel. )
1. And of course the stupidest thing you can do with your Smartphone is ANYTHING while driving. ( I wish I could pull people over for it. Every week I feel as if I have a narrow miss with someone that’s driving and on a phone. You can buy a hands free device for about $5.00 on the low-end that could save a life. There is nothing so important happening while you are on the road. Put your phone in the glove box if you can’t control yourself. Just think about this, if I can’t walk while checking my messages would you want ME behind the wheel doing it?)
So, some of these things are just things that annoy me, but I figured I’d throw them in anyway. I also hate it when people are out at dinner and the couple just sits there on their phones and don’t talk till the food comes. What a waste! Don’t even get me started about school events. The only thing more annoying than having to dodge a phone is having to dodge an iPad. Enjoy the moment before it’s gone. As I limp away remember these are just my opinions-don’t take it personally. If you do just remember I’m the one with the busted up knee caps!
What annoys you about smartphones? Or do you not have one and find it annoying when people keep asking you when you are going to get one?
Mer says
Ouch! I think somedays that smartphones should come with an etiquette guide, and maybe a quiz you have to complete before setting it up. My biggest pet peeve are those people in line at the grocery store or whatever who are apparently very popular but don’t want to talk …so the phone keeps ringing and ringing. Maybe they just really like the song?
beyourbestmom says
OMG- I know!
ruth says
painful fall! and good tips about smartphones. i am definitely guilty of some of that behavior, and was just reflecting on what my life was like pre cell phone
Walter Milani says
Article in the paper today said that Madonna was banned from a chain of theaters because she continually texted during movies and had been warned several times already not to disturb the other patrons. Guess she feels more important.
Coming into NYC on the bus this morning there was this obnoxious older woman who simply wouldn’t stop yakking nonsense from the moment she got on to the moment she got off the bus despite all the rude looks her way. What an a$#hole!
My pet peeve working in crowded Times Square is all the people walking and texting while they walk blocking the crowd behind them from getting anywhere. One woman actually almost got hit by a car because she was crossing against the light and a car had to screech to a halt. She never even took her zombie eyes off the cell phone except briefly when she heard the screech and then resumed her crawl texting while crossing the street!
w
Michelle Christiansen says
nice list! My mom has dropped (and flushed) her phones in toilets numerous times…and she had them in side pockets!
Raquel @ Organized Island says
Oh no! I am guilty of walking and looking at the phone sometimes, but after reading this I think I need to stop. Good tips!
Elizabeth@ Food Ramblings says
I love the embarrassing ringtone tip– I have one of those and it’s mortifying when it goes off at work 🙂