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1.  

   common courtesy

   

   wetkarma, Oct 20th, 2004 @ 2:07pm

   
   

   Why is it common courtesy not to use cell phones when dining? Presumably if you have a dining partner you are talking to them, so what is the difference in talking on a cell phone?
   
   Is it the fact that people overhearing the conversation can make no sense of it?
   
   I understand that the ringing of a phone can interrupt a pleasurable experience, but what is objectionable to talking on one?

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2.  

   Re: common courtesy

   

   Anonymous Coward, Oct 20th, 2004 @ 2:22pm

   
   

   The problem with cellphones is that for whatever reason, people don't talk in their normal voice. They talk REALLY LOUD. Maybe its because they aren't getting any visual feedback from the person they're talking to. Or maybe their phone sucks. Regardless, people on cellphones are more annoying, and in lieu of teaching them all how to be less annoying, it's easier to just ghettoize them.

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3.  

   Re: common courtesy

   

   Phone Boy, Oct 20th, 2004 @ 3:08pm

   
   

   The problem is that people usually speak louder on the phone, especially on cellphones. This volume is a sub-conscious attempt to compensate for not seeing the visual cues of the person you are talking to.
   
   Also people talk louder because --lets face it-- cell phone sound quality sucks the big one.
   
   

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4.  

   The no-cell zone

   

   Hiawatha Bray, Oct 20th, 2004 @ 3:17pm

   
   

   Amtrak already has designated "quiet cars" on the Acela trains between Boston and New York. Cell phone use is strictly verboten in these cars. Cool idea.

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5.  

   No Subject Given

   

   TDavid, Oct 20th, 2004 @ 4:38pm

   
   

   Good idea!

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6.  

   Comfort sounds

   

   TJ, Oct 20th, 2004 @ 6:28pm

   
   

   There was an item months back about VoIP phones needing to add so-called "comfort sounds" like dial-tones and background noise to approximate the old land line experience. I never catch myself talking loud on a land line, but I do on the cell. The difference I've noticed (with my phones and providers): While a land line consistently feeds some of your own voice into the local speaker so that you hear yourself in that ear (and most real phones still cup that ear to cut background noise), some cells have intermittent cutouts of that feedback which can make the talker think the other person isn't hearing them well, and phones are so tiny that background noise fills that ear too. Just my opinion, but improved auditory feedback and methods of isolated background noise (earpiece, headset, etc.) might lead to quieter cell talkers.
   
   Until a solution is found it only seems appropriate to find ways to separate active cell phone users in peaceful settings. However, it has been a few years since I've been in a restaurant that wasn't very unpeaceful with just the volume of so many people just talking face-to-face.
   

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7.  

   Re: The no-cell zone

   

   Razornails, Oct 21st, 2004 @ 8:24am

   
   

   I love this idea. There is nothing more annoying the being on public trans and hearing 4 people yelling into their cell phones.

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8.  

   Re: Comfort sounds

   

   Dan Neuman, Oct 21st, 2004 @ 1:18pm

   
   

   I fully agree. Side-tone, hearing your voice back in the ear-piece, is important to your perception of the quality of the call. I think that cell-phone manufacturers are either not providing side-tone, or not making it loud enough. If it was louder, it would hurt your ear to shout in the phone, so you'd talk quieter.
   
   Anyone want to do a survey of cell-phones?

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9.  

   Admiral's Club

   

   Anonymous, Oct 21st, 2004 @ 1:24pm

   
   

   American Airlines Admiral's Club now features "Quiet Rooms". The sign on these areas specifically mentions to please turn off cell phones.
   
   I would LOVE to see this concept spread.
   
   

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