Am I the only one who thinks that public cell phone use is rude?

I think it is rude, crude and socially unacceptable.

However, to some it is an absolute necessity. So, they should keep their voice down to almost whispering level.

Aren't they embarassed that someone can hear what they are saying?

And - driving while on the phone should be banned outright. They should be fined $250 and lose 3 demerit points. On the spot - no questions asked. That's the only way this insanity will stop.

I don't see what the big deal is. Now if you use the 2-way feature to talk to someone and the whole store can hear the conversation, then that's just rude. But if you are just talking on the phone, what's wrong with that? As long as you don't talk on the phone in the movie theater or some place like that then it's fine with me. Just be considerate of others by keeping your voice down and not screaming.

It is rude when done inconsiderately.

It is 2006 and it is fine for people to have conversations in stores and parking lots. They just need to show tact and consideration for others.

But there are several pet peeves I have:

1) Using the phone in the movie theater.

2) Not turning your phone off or at least on vibrate when in a theater to begin with!

3) Not having the phone on silent or off when in Church - haveing any kind of converastion at all in church

4) People who keep phones on or not on vibrate during meetings.

5) People who get into - or maintain - a conversation when they are in a line and it is their turn. Call them back!

6) People who drive and talk with out head sets. That is now illegal in my State - and I will now take down their license plate and call the cops! I've done this 5 times and I will be happy to do it again.

I use to think the same thing but let me ask you a question: When your in public do you have conversations with others? Yes I am sure you do. So what is so different aboutr cell phone use and a conversation?? Nothing except you cannot hear the other side of the story - that might be the frustration...

I think it is terribly rude. I don't want to hear anyone's conversation while I am out eating or shopping, etc. If a person has to talk on his or her cell phone, there is no reason why they can't at least go to a private area or better yet, just don't answer the phone! What did he or she do before cell phones? Don't get me going on people who drive while on their cell!

I think it is really rude.

Last week a young woman walked down the street behind my house having an argument with her boyfriend... on her cell phone. She was shouting so loudly that I could hear her when I was in my living room with the door shut and the TV on. You would have thought she'd be embarrassed to be conducting such private business on a public street. Guess not.

If not only, than one of few...

I use my cell phone in public places, like a bus or a train, on the street and so on... I don't use it in hospitals, when I'm in bank or a library, in class and so on... I leave silent alert on most of the times (only times i turn it off totally is in class, cinema and theater) and when it rings I go out to talk, or if it's appropriate take the call right there where I am...

I don't think it's inappropriate to use cell phones in public, in today's society it has became necessary!

No, I also beleive that public cell phone use is rude, it has just about caused many wrecks with me and other people just because people want to be talking on their phones and not pay attention to driving. Its one of the biggest distractions there is however, they are handy when lost, but most of all people take way too much advantage of them and lose track of paying attention!!!

I think it is very rude. As a checker in a major discount store I have people coming to check out their articles and yakking on their cell phone. It is hard to get the transaction completed because they can't concentrate on what is at hand

The worst possible place for cell phone use is in the movie theater! I was sorely tempted to slap some guy upside his head the last time I went to a movie...I sure didn't pay to listen to him complain about his bad day at work...

PEOPLE: TURN YOUR CELL PHONES OFF IN THE THEATER OR GO OUTSIDE TO TALK ON IT.