Bad Tech Habits Poll

[brighty18]

Okay, obviously there are places in which using technology is super annoying or just plain wrong. The movies, for example, or perhaps weddings and funerals. But there are also places in which the line is not so finely drawn.

Poll Annoying Tech Habits

Comments

[aries11]

For me, when it comes to technology, above all else, the thing that bothers me the most - and perhaps this goes along with the option "People messing with their phones/checking texts or emails - is the people being so engrossed in their phones that they're oblivious to the people they're supposed to be with. The smaller the group, the more annoying it is. I can't tell you how many times I've gone to a restaurant - fancy or casual - and seen a couple sitting there, not acknowledging each other at all, but each was focused on their phone, be it talking, texting, looking something up, etc. Seriously, if you're going to act like that, then either stay at home, or come out in public alone. If you're making arrangements to spend time with someone in public, the least you can do is talk to them. It's one thing if, say, you're headed to a movie, and you can't remember the start time. By all means, someone should look it up on their phone, especially if the time is fairly soon. Once you get the time, however, put the phone back, and pay

[brighty18]

I hate loud phone conversations, too, but I try to be understanding in case it is a literally a matter of people not being able to hear. But, yeah, it is super annoying - especially when people are just chatting away about personal stuff. I guess that is where I draw the line. If someone is trying to give directions, answer questions, explain things, etc. I am far more understanding than if they are telling some story about what happened in the grocery store the other day.

Good point about being glued to ones phone in public, too.

[classical_wolf]

For the first three, I checked off:

Cell phones ringing with songs/special ring tones
Cell phones ringing on anything but vibrate
Text/email alerts with songs/special tones
Text/email alerts on anything but vibrate
Noisy texting/emailing

I'm also guilty of:

Texting/emailing in public
Messing around with my phone/checking texts or emails
Other, please explain

I text [a lot] when I'm around Dan because we're either casually watching TV, or he's gaming and we're co-existing in the same room, or something of the sort. I do that with other close friends too. I'm also guilty of loud phone conversations because I suck at noticing how my voice projects.

I'm not trying to say IDON'TDOANYTHING, but I think it's also a generational thing.

OTOH, not generational, Dan barely uses his phone.

[brighty18]

Special rings drive me to distraction. Seriously. It also seems a little unprofessional to be blasting Beyonce every time a spouse/partner/lover calls you.

I do use my phone in public, but I try not to do it in situations in which I am actually with someone.

And, to an extent, I think that it is a generational thing. Obviously, there are exceptions to this, but it feels like people in their 20's and 30's are far more accepting of cell phone use/into their phones that people in their 50's or 60's, and beyond that, most older people I know don't deal with cell phones at all.

[classical_wolf]

I feel like I do it more with friends because we can co-exist and if they do it, I can do it too :P. I do it with family when I need to zone/stim out.

....and I know these reasons don't excuse it, hah.

[magnetic_pole]

Argh! I'm at my wit's end with technology in the classroom (hence all the ticks on the first question.) Having an intellectual discussion is *hard,* kids, are you're not so good at it that you can afford to divide your attention. *frowns*

As for all other situations, I'm not so much bothered by the repeated reminders of our digital lives (pings, rings, the occasional nearby ell phone conversation, etc) as I am by people responding to calls or texts while they're having a conversation with me. I'm sure it's a generational thing, but it feels so rude to me. M.

[brighty18]

I'm with you on the classroom thing - and, honestly, the same goes for the workplace. With the latter, though, the communication may well be legitimate, but there is no reason to text in the middle of a discussion about bell hooks' views on the sexualization of women in mass media. Plus (and I know this from teaching myself), you always feel as if they are not paying attention to you when they are paying attention to their phones.

Sometimes, though, it is fun to troll people who seem to be paying more attention to their phones than to you. I like to say outrageous/stupid stuff just to see if they'll notice.

[ekaterin24]

What annoys me most in the workplace is:
-People letting their phones ring/play over and over without stopping them.
-Customers talking with you, stopping to answer the phone, and continuing that conversation. I got to the point where I would say, "please come back when you're finished on the phone and we'll continue." They just about always hang up.
-People talking *loudly* on cell phones.

Regarding parties and other social occasions, anyone on the cell phone for reasons other than an emergency/important matter, giving directions to someone, or brief "can I call you later" is being rude.

I'm guilty of *not* leaving my cell phone on or checking for voicemail messages. I refuse to be tethered to the damn thing.

[brighty18]

Customers + cell phones = SUPER ANNOYING!! At Borders, I once had a customer on his phone "shush" me and another customer who were legitimately doing business. WTF?

[sandokai]

Hi--I friended you because I saw your post on ladybug21's and I'm also from New Mexico.