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Rude Caller? You Just Need a High-Tech Vigilante!

Posted by in Humor, Odd, Technology, Telephone


This may be one of my favorite stories ever.

We’ve all been around someone on his or her cell phone, talking loudly, acting as if he or she were the only person on the planet. (Other, that is, than the person on the other end of the line.)

But in Philadelphia, at least up until a short time ago, there was an anonymous vigilante who actually did something about it.

Apparently fed up with the occasional loud conversation on the bus he rode — City Bus 44 — he build a cell phone jamming device that he could pull out of his pocket and activate quietly, immediately dropping the call of the offending talker.

I am not making this up!

Unfortunately, though he claimed to be proud of his efforts to compensate for rude behavior, he agreed to ditch the device after learning that jamming cell phone communications is a federal cime that could result in jail time and a fine of up to $16,000.

There are a few places I think would be fine candidates for cell-phone jamming. I wish stores would have a jammer installed right above their checkout lines. There are few things more annoying than having to wait behind someone who’s on the phone and slowing the line down because the cashier must wait to get a word in edgewise to tell her what she owes.

One of my favorite coffee shops in Charleston had a sign on its cash register that made the point quite clearly. I thanked them for it every time I saw it.

Restrooms ought to be a no-phone location, too. No one wants to talk to someone who’s sitting on the pot. And no one in such a position should want to call someone at that moment, either. Take care of business first, have a conversation later.

Then there are waiting rooms. The quieter the room, the louder someone on a cell phone seems to speak. Focus on what you’re waiting for, and let those around you do the same. In peace.

Your Turn:
Where would you most like to see cell phones prohibited?