Enough.
I’ve had it with people and their smartphones, iPads, Kindles or whatever who are interrupting my experiences at the movies, during a play, or while dining at restaurants. I’m fed up with the loud conversations over cellphones on buses and trains.
I can’t help but think about Verizon’s advertising slogan, “Can you hear me now?”
Yes, we can all hear you and it’s extremely annoying.
Virgin Atlantic recently announced that passengers flying from New York to London and vice versa on its new Airbus A330-300 planes can make and receive phone calls while in the air. The airline said in its statement that the service is intended for use in exceptional situations and will be limited to six users at any time.
How soon will this “service” be expanded to other airlines like the checked bag fee that started with a few carriers and became a done deal for most of the industry? There will be people who will pay the premium price to talk while flying. And to be sure that fellow passengers, with no place to move, will be disturbed.
I refuse to spend my money for a movie-going experience that will be ruined by the glare of cellphones being constantly popped open to read and text or even make calls. It’s so jarring to be sitting in a dark theater only to be jolted by a phone with a screen so bright it could be used to land an aircraft.
I love taking the train and typically enjoy the ride. It can be so peaceful and you don’t have the stress that comes with flying. But if I don’t get a seat in the “quiet car” that Amtrak has designated for those us who want peace, I’m privy to some conversations that should only be conducted in private.
I really don’t want to know your business.
So many nice restaurant meals are interrupted because people are checking their phones or even taking calls at the table while you sit there waiting for them to finish.
I was at a play and, during an emotional scene, a woman’s phone pierced the silence. She was in the front row and had to dig through her purse to find the device. This after an announcement was made before the play began to check your phones and turn them off.
We all need to look at our electronic etiquette. Our desire to stay so connected is costing people their peace and quiet.
Write to the author at singletarym@washpost.com.
