Cell Phone Conversations: Private vs. Public

Pretty much everyone has a cell phone these days. They're unavoidable and practically a necessity at this point. Heck, I recently blogged about my obsession with my new phone. I left it at home yesterday when I went to work and was going crazy without it. "What if someone texts me?" "What if I need to check my e-mail?" "What if I drive off the road in the snow on the way home?" Honestly, that last one was problem my last worry.

Needless to say, we as have grown seriously attached to our cell phones. They have become extensions of ourselves; they connect us to the people in our lives and we can't imagine having to function without them. It's hard to even recall a time before they existed, even though that time was not so long ago.

Along with the desire to always keep our cell phones near, of course, comes the obsession with needing using them constantly. Walking to the car, in the car, driving around in the car, walking to the grocery store, in the grocery store. Seriously, while you're out today, just look around. You'll see people everywhere talking away without a care in the world as to what's going on around them, or who's listening.

And that is what bugs me the most. I'll admit, I use my cell phone quite a bit. I rarely talk on my "land line;" it's pretty much useless at this point except for the occasional telemarketer. But most of my conversations are held in the privacy of my own home. If I'm out and it rings, I'll answer it, but if the conversation takes a private turn or is of a sensitive nature, I'm discreet about it. I'll say "can I call you back when I get home?" or quickly make my way to a quiet location.

Because when I'm on the phone in public, it's usually to ask a question or get some kind of information pertaining to where I am. Something like "hey, I'm at the grocery store, do we need any eggs?" That is appropriate public cell phone conversation. Discussing personal matters, such as the sordid details of a drunken hook-up, or yelling to your boyfriend about paying for your impending abortion (yes, these are actual cell phone conversations I have overheard, quite recently are not.

Please, the next time your cell phone rings when you're in public, think about where you are. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in conversation that we forget there are people around. But they are. And they can totally hear you. Try not to embarrass yourself.