I have been prompted to write this letter by the events I have endured, and I have to speak out, because frankly, I’m fed up.
Recently I attended a memorial service for a dear friend. It was a beautiful service – until there was a quiet moment in the church, and somebody’s cell phone rang loudly. It was quickly turned off, but the damage had already been done. It was a large church, and I’m sure not everyone heard it, but I did, and the people sitting close to me did as well. My emotions changed rapidly from sorrow and grief, to anger and disbelief. What possibly could have been so important during this difficult time someone needed to receive a phone call? Is this now acceptable in our society, and I’m unaware of this new rule? What next, if cell phone calls are allowed at someone’s funeral?
To add insult to this incredible injury, my family and I attended my daughter’s first choir concert of the year at her school the same day. This was a short concert, kind of a “practice run” for the rest of the year. It was only 40 minutes long. For 10 minutes before the event, a young girl sitting in front of me played electronic games on her father’s cell phone. (Apparently, sitting quietly for a few minutes without having battery-powered entertainment is impossible for some children anymore.) Several minutes into the concert the first cell phone rang from the seats behind me. During this 40-minute performance, my family and I tried to enjoy ourselves listening to their concert named “A Tribute To America.” In these 40 minutes, four more cell phones rang, while our children were singing songs about our country, honoring our veterans, and our military.
If this is America, it’s a bad dream. I highly doubt if this percentage of people who were receiving phone calls during a children’s concert are highly renowned brain surgeons, or organ transplant specialists, waiting for an important call to save someone’s life. I have tolerated people on cell phones at sporting events, music events, grocery stores, doctor and dentist offices, driving cars, sitting in restaurants, walking down the street, you name it – but the line has been overstepped, and needs to be drawn again boldly.
Here’s an idea: When at an important event, leave your cell phone in the glove box of your car, or at home, or at work. However, if you feel you cannot cope without having it clipped to your pant pocket, or sitting in your purse for and hour or two – turn it off. Trust me, your voicemail is quite capable of handling your calls, so the rest of us can go on with our lives. If you still feel you are so important that you have the right to talk on your phone anytime you want, do the rest of society and those of us who still have morals and a sense of humanity a favor: don’t bother showing up.
Marysville
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