Technology

In today's world we have many different ways to communicate. For instance: postal mail, text messaging, internet, email, phone calls, and I am sure others I am missing.

To me, the cel phone (look it up "cel" is the original spelling) is a convenience not a necessity. This communication with the outside world when it intrudes on the interaction of two people sitting across from one another, distractions while driving, walking, or in class, etc. is , I believe, highly offensive. If I feel the need to pay attention to a phone call I leave the area after excusing myself. No one wants to hear half a conversation. I do not text and walk, text  and drive, text and eat, so on. I have had conversations in the past to realize there is no response from the other party, only to look around and find them texting. When I mention how rude this is I almost always get a withering look or a lecture on intolerance.  I really do not believe it intolerant to ask of another good manners , politeness, and attention when we are having a face to face talk.

Recently, a friend took exception to the fact that I read and responded to a text while we were talking. I apologized. Not even 10 minutes later he answered his phone and began having a conversation and ignoring me. I left. As I was leaving he asked why I was leaving, and I did not bother to answer.

Technology is wonderful, but it has it's place. During driving, face to face meetings, in movie theaters, and elsewhere there  is no place for your cel to be used.