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Get Off The Phone! Cell Manners For The Addicts

Get Off The Phone! Cell Manners For The Addicts

The Blackberry is called the "crack" berry for a reason.

We are a society addicted to our cell phones. And our curiosity Web site has been inundated lately with questions from viewers who are fed up.

Yutaka in Brookline says simply "I'm curious what people are talking about! How come they have so much to say?"

Well, David Wade took to the streets to find out when it's time to just put the cell phones down.

It's an ever-present gadget, in the car, in stores, in restaurants and just walking around, many people seem to always be on their cells.

I-Phone, you phone, he, she and they phone. There's just no time to talk, face to face. We're consumed, like the woman on Tremont Street who was oblivious to the fact that a television crew had been following her.

Or the guy coming up an escalator, texting all the way, without once looking up.

Many Find Cell Phone Use Is Rude

Our exclusive Fast Track poll found that 58 percent of our respondents think cell phone users are mostly rude.

Kathy from Groton posted this on our Web site: "I'm curious why people talk so loud on their cell phones."

And Tammy from Sudbury asks "Why people think it's ok to talk while at the checkout counter?"

That one gets Brandon Smith, too. "The worst thing is when you are at a cash register and the person behind you is on the cell phone," he says.

When to use the cell phone

Millie Downing is an etiquette expert. She says using a cell phone in some places can be rude, disruptive and even dangerous. She says we shouldn't be using our cell phones while driving, at restaurants or in the checkout line.

She advises using common sense. "If you are at your child's school and you want to chat with a friend while you wait for them to be dismissed, that's fine. If you are in a park on a bench, that's fine," she says.

At Alan Bilzerian's clothing stores in Newton and Boston the message is clear. He has a sign up saying no cell phone use. "I want the customer to get all the attention they need. How can I do that when they are jabbering like a monkey on the phone," says Bilzerian.

Why talk so loud?

Doris Klietmann says it's all about image. She should know. She's an image consultant.

She says we're sometimes loud and in your face because we think we're impressing people. "You show that you are on top of things, you are connected, you are probably a very good business person," says Klietmann.

She thinks our cells help us sell...ourselves. "If you want to look like Paris Hilton you get the little pink one with the Swarovski studs," she says.

Sure. That'll help a world that has picked tech over tact.

What about the proposed cell phone ban?

Some cell phone behavior is just irritating, but of course driving and talking and especially texting can be dangerous.

Sue from Grafton posted this question on our curiosity Web site: "What happened to the legislation banning the use of cell phones by drivers?"

Well we checked and Sue is asking about House Bill #4477. That bill passed the Massachusetts House, but the state Senate hasn't acted on it.

Let us know what you're curious about by clicking here.

Still need some cell phone schooling? Check out these sites:

Top 10 Cell Phone Etiquette Rules People Still Break

12 Unwritten Rules Of Cell Phone Etiquette

The LetsTalk.com Cell Phone Etiquette Guide

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