Mobile Phones-Annoying?

[Laughing Gravy]

I have been observing for a while now and I have come to the conclusion that Mobile phones have become a hindrance and a nuisance, than that of benefit. I am not a technophobe, far from it. I am proud to say I bought my first mobile phone in 1995. It was a Motorola and was like a brick. As time moved on I went to Nokia and would use it fort phoning and texting. My problem is now that I see that Mobile phones are taking over people’s lives. Some may agree and others may argue they have enhanced life. As a few examples. I went into an Irish pub at the weekend here in Bangkok, something in my culture enjoys going to the pub, meeting people, the ambience, the atmosphere and generally enjoying the company of friends or strangers. Now I see and this is not an isolated case, most people are on their phones. Gone has the art of conversation. Saying hello to someone who is texting, playing games, on facebook, or whatever is intimidating and some even have their headphones in, so they can’t hear you anyway and sends a message of “don’t talk to me”. I even see people take their laptops to the pub.

I see this on the underground, sky train and generally walking. People (many) do not seem to talk face to face anymore, in the way they use too. Certainly with friends we have a rule that if someone calls their phone they answer it. If someone texts they look and see if it needs an instant reply. E mails and anything else is ignored. As another example of how phones are ruining the art of conversation, recently with a friend we were talking about music, in particular who sang a certain song in the 1980s. After the initial 5 seconds he pulled out his phone and started to google it. My reaction was can’t we just try and work it out. Within two minutes we had the answer. No need for the internet.

I would like to see in bars, pubs and restaurants mobile free areas (and laptops and tablets) just like smoking. Not only here in Thailand but in the UK and the rest of the world. There is nothing more annoying hearing someone (who generally up their speech by 20 decibels) so you can’t help overhearing their conversation. I do have to say that Thais are generally very good with this and often cover their mouths, muffling the sound and conversation. As I am sat at my computer for 11 hours a day at work I really enjoy time away from e mails, phone call etc. I have certainly noticed that younger people (I am generalising) seem to be obsessed with their mobile phones. Checking every few minutes to see has anyone sent them a message, posted on facebook or for other reasons.

I just can’t understand why people take their phone to bed with them (unless it is an alarm or they are an on call doctor). It is the same in the gym I go to, People are constantly on their phones. The amount of times people have walked into me because they are fixated with their phones and not looking where they are going. Once again this is not just aimed at Thailand, as I see this in Europe. I do know that Mobile Phones are banned in some European countries on public transport and restaurants. I am not being a ‘kill joy’ but I firmly believe that mobile phones are creating a ‘zombie state’, to many people. If you look at the research, on the damage they do to the brain it is shocking and the issues they are causing with education. The way mobile phones have changed the skill of spelling in people, for me is worrying, as is the art of face to face conversation. Just go to the shopping mall, bar, restaurant or on the street. It would seem that people don’t seem to just sit, enjoy the surroundings, keep silent or even talk in the way they use too. Would anyone else like to see Mobile Phone free areas?

[David48]

WOW ... joined back in 2004 ...

A decade back ... I' d bet there wasn't many mobile phones in Thailand back then.

Mind you ... I do contrast your OP with your last post ...

Well I am a but sceptical as I have never had really good wifi internet in any 5 star hotel in Thailand.

.

[Costas2008]

"Would anyone else like to see Mobile Phone free areas?"

OP, YES, my house.

Wife doesn't speak to me any more.........on the mobile, scrolling up and down, all day and night.......even when we have sex

I bought one of those the other day, just to retaliate but a month later don't know how to use the bloody thing.

I think it's going in the bin and stick with the old fashioned one without internet.

[Laughing Gravy]

WOW ... joined back in 2004 ...

A decade back ... I' d bet there wasn't many mobile phones in Thailand back then.

Mind you ... I do contrast your OP with your last post ...

Well I am a but sceptical as I have never had really good wifi internet in any 5 star hotel in Thailand.

.

Well I actually joined back in 2002 but there was a problem at some point and everyone had to sign up again, If I am correct. As you can guess I have lurked more that wrote but sometimes I feel the need.

I still have some of my old mobile phones and they maybe even collectable items. My favourite was the Nokia 3210. I dropped it a hundred times and I just put the parts together and it always worked. Fantastic.

[Jack Mountain]

Still using the Nokia 1100, 11 years old but works ok.

[Honkie]

I am reading your rant on my mobile phone！

[flagator96]

double post, see below

Edited December 9, 2014 by flagator96

[flagator96]

OP,

I agree 100 % with what you are saying. People are addicted and glued on their cell phones and it is not just a coincidence.

They do cause neurological harm as well as cancer. Pretty soon after the new so called cellular wearable gadgets become widely spread, we will start seeing people volunteering for embedded RFID chips which also eventually will become required for all.

Therefore we will be tracked and controlled just like a herd of sheep.

What a sad future for humanity.

[longstebe]

Time and place. Its that simple.

[Chicog]

Yes, before the Internet, everyone used to talk to everyone else all the time, and there were sparkles of joy everywhere.

[LuckyLew]

I agree with the OP

Conversation between people is part of yesteryear

I always find it funny when I see a group of people who meet for coffee or ice cream

and they are all sitting at the table playing with their phone.

FB and instagram addicted people who feel it mandatory to know what pingpongporn had for dinner

[dddave]

Still using the Nokia 1100, 11 years old but works ok.

I read not too long ago that the Nokia 1100 was the largest selling consumer electrical device of all time.

[Jack Mountain]

Still using the Nokia 1100, 11 years old but works ok.

I read not too long ago that the Nokia 1100 was the largest selling consumer electrical device of all time.

Could be, in Holland i had to pay €9.95 but the provider gave €10 prepaid so in fact a mobile + €0.05 for free. :-)

Edited December 17, 2014 by Jack Mountain