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The NY Times looks at how even though the City Council has banned cellphone use in theaters, cellphone use is still rampant. The Mayor had previously argued that the law (which has a $50 fine) would be unenforceable, but the the City Council tells the Times about anecdotal evidence that it works. Councilman Philip Reed compares the cellphone law to one of our favorites:
It's like the pooper-scooper law: it's not enforced, but now that people know about it they clean up after their dogs. That's what's happening here, that's why there's been such a significant improvement in people's behavior.There's been some improvement, but we don't know if we'd go as far to say significant. What Gothamist is amazed at is that even though there are the PSAs telling people to turn off their cellphones, cellphones still ring! If your cellphone is going to glow and vibrate, sit in the back row, and if the call is that important, don't go to the theater. Don't make a huge fuss of it and bother your fellow patrons. While we lament it when we're in theaters without good cell service because we are trying to locate people we're meeting, it's actually a blessing to trade two-plus hours of cellphone silence for overly loud Dolby mixed Hollywood noise.
Inconsiderate Cellphone Man is back for more action and Gothamist's cellphone errata: People will get shot, stick their hands - and arms - in a commuter train toilet, and yes, get hit by subway cars before giving up their cellphones. Your cabbie can use a cellphone, but only if it's with a handset, and if you're too close to the monkeys, watch out before they cover your phone with their poo. There are cellphone vigilantes on some trains, plus more on old-school telephone etiquette.
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Jen -
Cab drivers are not allowed to use a cell phone under any circumstances, hands-free or otherwise.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/html/passenger/faq_pass.shtml#8
(On re-examination, I think that's what you meant given the linked article, but that's not what you wrote?)
"The City Council has banned cell phone use in theaters"?
I'm so glad the City council has the Time to spend on such a Life Threatening Issues like Cell phone use in a theater.
I just sleep so well at night knowing that my hard earned money is funding such great works of Legislation. I mean It's not like they need to spend time on Non-issues, like Education funding, increase in Homelessness, increase in crime, Police Contract (Or lack there of), etc...
Bah.
I think theaters should actually remind patrons to turn off their cellphones before the show. I've been to a few shows and movies and honestly forgot to turn off my cellphone--I didn't do it on purpose.
Well, Since theaters are using Night Goggles, why can't they just walk up to someone and tell them to get OFF the phone?
Ushers used to tell people to quiet down in the past...
Why not just use a cell phone jammer? Hell, I use one in my storefront and no one seems to notice since their phones don't ring. If they make a call and get that "I can't get a signal" look of confusion I just tell them to take it outside. It is illegal, but who the hell is checking?
Intersting point. About how much are one of those things? Night Goggles can run up to $500 easily...
They run about $250-500. You can buy them online.
The truth is, most people just repeat the same things over and over again. If people had to shut up unless they had something new to say, most people would hardly talk at all.
A few years ago there was an expression, "Garbage in, garbage out." Today, it's mostly garbage. Why is this important--the human nervous system gets overloaded and it no longer distinguishes between what is important and what is not important.
Wake up folks, look around you. People are losing contact with real-ness in this sea of verbal (and also images) overload-garbage.
People speak so much, yet there is so little feeling. That's why people are so loud--perhaps in loudness, people hope to stimulate some feeling. But it doesn't work because the feelings are not there. So the loudness and constant chatter substitutes for any really feeling.
Same problem in london. In cinema's there is now an announcement that clearly tells everyone to turn their mobiles off! Depsite this in some cinemas you still get people taking calls! At least turn the bloody thing to vibrate and leave to take the call. I guess there is different audience ettiquette in different cities and countries. I'll never forget seeing Gladiator just off Times Square at a Lowe cinema. The audience there was nothing like I'd ever seen back here. I guess it works both ways.
Take care. London calling.
What's the point of yakking away if one is supposed to be watching a movie? I guess blah-blah-blah is the end all of some people's lives. Makes them feel busy and important, I guess. These days, then, any fool with a cellphone can feel important. It's a great equalizer!
People talking inappropriately on cellphones is like those people who ride cars through the City with the music blaring--it's a way of attracting attention and declaring their power. And by annoying other people, it's actually a way for those egos to feel power over others.
Note to S.D.The mis-use of cell-phones relates to all issues of society. How much are people willing to treat other people a little better? --especially if they don't get something from it directly. This relates to homelessness, war, poverty, and similar issues.