Put the Phone Down

[smartrock]

I probably cannot talk about cell phone use without sounding like an old crank. I have one, I use it often, and usually remember to take it with me on dog walks or wherever. I actually don't see many people with dogs talking on their phones where I walk, it's the drivers blabbering or texting while the car is moving, the people who step out to cross the street without a single glance at traffic because they're staring at their phone, the people shouting into their phones like it's a walkie talkie at the grocery store, airport or other heavily populated area, and my family members who spend so much time on their phones unnecessarily (IMHO) and then have no battery left when they actually need to phone or text someone. (those whippersnappers! ) There is one person who walks by my yard with a little hors d'ouvres sized dog that talks loudly on her phone while her little snack stretches toward my 2 beasts on that tiny thread of a flexi-lead. I'm sure she would think it my fault if the little dog came under the fence into our yard and got jumped on. Hang up and pay attention, lady!

[Snowshoe]

We haven't had any unpleasant encounters because of someone on a phone. But we have missed out on some pleasantries. We live in a small, rural village so I think it's sad the woman walking her dog, who must be a neighbour, is too busy on her phone to respond when I say, "Good Morning." Or the man I see a couple of times a week ignores me, I'm the only other dog walker in sight, to keep talking on his phone. There has been no danger but I do think they are rude. Every time I see someone absorbed in a private phone conversation in a public place I want to make lots and lots of loud noise to disrupt their call. I guess that would be rude.

But I do take my phone with me. I'm often out alone in the bush, it's for safety. I did call the OH to pick us up the fateful day Oban put his leg through the crust on the snow. Compared to today's super duper phones the camera on mine is nothing to brag about but I'm happy with it's 5 megapixels; records some of the interesting flowers and fungi and other things we find adequately.

[CraftHer]

But we have missed out on some pleasantries. We live in a small, rural village so I think it's sad the woman walking her dog, who must be a neighbour, is too busy on her phone to respond when I say, "Good Morning." Or the man I see a couple of times a week ignores me, I'm the only other dog walker in sight, to keep talking on his phone.

Well said. Whenever we gain something, something is lost. We can talk 24/7 to people all over the globe, but we don't say hello to the neighbor standing right in front of us.

[CraftHer]

little hors d'ouvres sized dog

Love this!

[beth101509]

I probably cannot talk about cell phone use without sounding like an old crank. I have one, I use it often, and usually remember to take it with me on dog walks or wherever. I actually don't see many people with dogs talking on their phones where I walk, it's the drivers blabbering or texting while the car is moving, the people who step out to cross the street without a single glance at traffic because they're staring at their phone, the people shouting into their phones like it's a walkie talkie at the grocery store, airport or other heavily populated area, and my family members who spend so much time on their phones unnecessarily (IMHO) and then have no battery left when they actually need to phone or text someone. (those whippersnappers! ) There is one person who walks by my yard with a little hors d'ouvres sized dog that talks loudly on her phone while her little snack stretches toward my 2 beasts on that tiny thread of a flexi-lead. I'm sure she would think it my fault if the little dog came under the fence into our yard and got jumped on. Hang up and pay attention, lady!

YES! Oh my gosh! The other day I was in Walmart (hate that place btw) and this lady was on her phone ON SPEAKER PHONE! She was ranting about how some chick couldn't be Muslim if she was drunk because they (Muslims) can't drink. I was like "shouldn't this conversation be best in private and NOT on speaker phone"....Apparently not.

[WhoopsaDaisy]

I wouldn't be so quick to judge. We are busy people in a fast paced society. I run with my cellphone in hand because I'm training for a half marathon using the runkeeper app and I need to hear the chimes tell me when the intervals are starting and stopping. Plus, sometimes I want to use my cellphone while I walk and multi-task.
I would be a little annoyed if the person's dog was out of control... But not that they were on their cellphone. I do think there are certain times when people should put their cell phones away-- having dinner with family/friends, social events, etc. but not necessarily when someone is walking by themselves.
Sometimes I walk Daisy and talk to my sister about her wedding plans (or whatever) and kill two birds with one stone (I also use the Runkeeper program to track our walks). I do like to take pictures of Daisy also! Daisy is a well behaved walker and I always watch out for cyclists and other walkers. Some people are busy and have work and have to multi task!

[Paws n Jaws]

Let he who be without sin cast the first stone.