Cell Phone Addicts

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By Tom Reilly

I’m neither a technophile nor technophobe, but what’s up with all these cell phones and their symbiotic owners? Don’t get me wrong. I like the convenience, accessibility and safety that cell phones offer. But enough already!

Everywhere I go I encounter cell phone addicts polluting the air with their noise. It’s the high-tech equivalent to unrestrained flatulence. They’re both noisy and offensive to others.

I was in a public restroom and the man in the next stall was talking to his boss while taking care of his personal business. I flushed often to make a point. During a tender scene in the movie Titanic a cell phone beckoned and a woman rushed from the theatre promising not to be late for car pool. Even in church we’re not safe from these high-tech demons. During mass a cell phone wailed and without missing a beat the priest stopped the ceremony and said, “Sir, if God wants to talk to you, He doesn’t need a phone.” The congregation cheered as the demon was exorcised.

I’m no techno-prude. I like technology but like millions of other people I do not want to witness your slobbering baby talk on the phone to your children while standing next to me in line. Call you girlfriend and whisper those sweet nothings in her ear when you’re not sitting next to me on a plane. And if you must call your boss, keep it out of the public restrooms. Some places ought to be a refuge from high-tech gadgets. Read a newspaper. I’ll pass you one under the stall.

If you are a cell phone addict have pity on the rest of us. Put a cork in it. Use your “off” button from time to time. Give the airwaves a rest. Visit your mother in person. Spend more face time with your customers. Play golf the old fashioned way—make the pro shop track you down when your wife calls.

This ran in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on 8/23/2000.

Author: Tom

Business owner, professional speaker, author, and salesman . . . Since 1981, Tom has traveled globally sharing his content-rich message of hope. Tom literally wrote the book on Value-Added Selling. Tom has a B.A. in Psychology from St. Louis University and an M.A. in Psychology from University of Missouri in St. Louis with a special emphasis in work motivation theory. He spent four years in the United States Army where he honed his leadership skills as a Drill Sergeant. Tom is a prolific writer and researcher. He is a recipient of the Northeast Business Editors Silver Award; author of fifteen books; and editorial contributor to several magazines. Tom is an avid golfer, Harley-Davidson rider, and fountain pen collector. Please click here for Tom’s complete bio.

4 thoughts on “Cell Phone Addicts”

  1. Congratulations on your successful blog, Tom! I am jealous and in awe of your varied abilities to express yourself in print. I’ll look forward to reading more as you continue in this latest accomplishment.

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