"Cell-O"

A few days ago I called a friend of mine and he answered his phone "Cell-o." He was not saying the musical instrument but was answering in a word similar to "hello." When I asked if I heard right and that he had said cell-o, he responded that I had called his cell phone. He stated that he now answers his cell phone cell-o so people will know he is talking on his cell phone. That makes absolutely no sense to me. Who cares if he is answering his cell phone, his home phone or his fax phone! I for one just want a simple hello.

This is an example of just how far our love affair with the cell phone has taken us. Now don't get me wrong. I love the fact I can talk to my sons every day, ten times a day if I want to. But sometimes I don't think the trade off for that convenience is worth the irritation people and their cell phones cause.

Example, I was at the bank the other day and the woman in front of me was on the phone with Bill. As a matter of fact she and Bill were having an argument. Seems he had driven her car and run out all the gas in it. (Did I really need to know this, no way!). When she got to the teller she kept talking and passed her transaction over to her. Obviously something was wrong because the teller tried to ask her a question. But "Cell Woman" was so busy yapping she couldn't take time to answer the teller's question.

Example, I was in the movie. Before the main feature started there were big announcements asking people to turn off their cell phones. I complied. The movie was a drama so it took intense listening and observing to make sure you understood the plot. I was doing fine and really enjoying it until about ten minutes before the movie ended. A girl on the row in front of me flipped open her cell phone. It was like th beacon from a lighthouse had been unleashed.

I was furious and when she kept it flipped open I slammed the seat in front of me on her row. She turned around and gave me a look like I was insane. But she did close up her phone. Now what could have been so important that it couldn't have waited another ten minutes.

I keep hearing movie theaters are going to put in some kind of equipment that blocks signals for cell phones. All I can say to that is Amen and Hallelujah! I have heard cell phones go off in church, at weddings and even at funerals. People have gone completely crazy when it comes to them.

You can't go to the grocery store without bumping into people who are having a great conversation. And it isn't just teenagers doing this. It is all ages and all sexes. We have become a society with cell phones pressed constantly to our ears.

So the next time you call someone's cell phone number, get ready for the response. It might just be someone who is so addicted to their private portable phone that they answer with a hearty "CELL-O!"

 

 

 

 

 

©2006 Jackie K. Cooper

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