Even cell phone users get irritated when others yak about their personal business on their handhelds in public.
Photo: Even Cell Phone Users are Annoyed by Yakkers Photo 1
The research poll conducted by the Pew Research Center found that 82 percent of all Americans and 86 percent of cell users report being irritated at least occasionally by loud and annoying cell users who conduct their calls in public places.
But the offended don't think they are among the callers who get on other people's nerves. Only 8 percent of cell users acknowledge their own use of cell phones is sometimes rude.
These findings emerge in a national survey of cell phone owners by the Pew Research Center's Pew Internet & American Life Project, the Associated Press and AOL. The findings provide a detailed picture of the role of the cell phone in modern life, including how the use of cell phones has helped people become more spontaneous and prolific in their communication patterns.
Adult cell users, more than a third say their cell phones have enabled some type of unwelcome intrusion in their lives. But about 24 percent of cell-using adults report they often feel like they have to answer their cell phones even when it interrupts a meeting or a meal. 22 percent believe that "too many" people try to get in touch with them because others know they have a cell phone.
Many of the behaviors are likely to intensify in coming years as more people become attached to and reliant on their mobile phones. Over 23% of those who currently have landline phones say they are very likely or somewhat likely to convert to being only cell phone users.
In all, 1,503 people were surveyed between March 8 and March 28 - 752 of them on their landline phones and 751 on their cell phones. Some 1,286 cell phone users were interviewed in the sample. The overall sample and the cell-phone user sample have a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.
Guilty as charged. I don't care for those who talk abnormally loud. I don't care about how important they think they are. But after reading this, maybe I'm one of them as well... oh well.
2. Posted by GSMDude
Tue Apr 04, 2006 11:52 am
These stats don't suprise me. People often never realize their own faults but are fast to point out others.
3. Posted by booboy
Tue Apr 04, 2006 1:38 pm
nothing irritates me more than people who like to hear the sound of their own voice.
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