Would you sell your cell?

November, 2011

We all have pet peeves about some things. Today, for me, it’s the ubiquitous cellular telephone, or as it’s commonly called, the “cell phone.”  I have even heard it referred to as “my cell.” For me, I grew up knowing a cell was either a term in reference to jail or a small unit of living matter. I always thought that when I came to the USA, English would be the only language that I had to master. Yet, with this age of the cellular telephone, there comes a new language that is at times… funny.

I’ve been upgrading my cell phone over the past few years, and now for a whole year, I have had an iPhone. The first time I heard about the iPhone, I immediately thought, “It’s an ‘eye phone’? Why is it not an ‘ear phone’?” It is with the purchase of this iPhone that I’ve had to learn about “apps,” which in “phone language” meant “applications.” (Great, yet another language I had to master!) It is also with this purchase that I came to realize that I couldn’t understand the obsession over the device or any idea about how it’s affecting the way we are behaving in private and in public.

For the last 20 years, I would drive to work to Beverly Hills or Bel-Air by way of Benedict Canyon or Beverly Glen, and I would notice that there are no phone booths along those routes. So, even though those are quick, convenient routes that link Beverly Hills with the San Fernando Valley, they lacked what I would need to call for help in case of a flat tire or my car breaking down. Yes, I know I have an iPhone, but what if it didn’t have any reception? What would I do then?

I do NOT like Blackberries, iPhones, tablets, laptops, cell phones and every other device that falls in between.  It would make my life better if these devices would all disappear, because it would mean an end to the annoyance I’ve come to experience frequently over these last few years.

For example, I love to go to the Walt Disney Concert Hall to see the Los Angeles Philharmonic perform. However, it is during almost every concert, despite the pleading and requesting from the loudspeakers to “turn off your electronic devices,” that there is always an inconsiderate person that forgot to turn off his/her device. Therefore, this is not only a distraction to the public, but also disrespect toward the musicians and composers.

In addition, I also come across inconsiderate people on their phones in the movie theatre.  Isn’t it absolutely rude and annoying to have a brightly lit screen in your face while you’re trying to watch a movie? I sure think so! Really, why do these people even bother going to see a movie anyway?

To further drive the point home, I have been monitoring and taking notes of changes stemming from cell phone usage over the past four years. It is during these past four years that I have noticed the gradual increase of groups of people talking on their phones and not to one another. You wouldn’t believe how often I witness this every night at the Peninsula Beverly Hills! For example, I arrived earlier than usual one evening, saw a group of twelve ladies finishing High Tea in the Living Room, and eleven of those ladies were on their phones. I’ve even gone to the restroom to wash my hands and witnessed a gentleman trying to use the facilities without letting go of his phone. I have witnessed families where the father and mother were using their iPads while the children were on their phones.  It’s constant exposure to what I see as an ugly ballet performed by thumbs on the keyboards of cell phones.

A couple of nights ago, a lady seating by herself was typing on her laptop, talking on her cell and those little thumbs were jumping on a Blackberry. Talk about multitasking. The waiter tried a few times to catch her eye but it didn’t work, she was living in a virtual world where most people today seem to navigate very comfortably.

My fiancée and I go to have coffee practically every day, and I find it kind of sad that usually we are the only people doing something that is practically rare in a coffee shop…we talk. Yesterday, there were nine people at the coffee place that we patronize, and ALL of them were on their electronic devices. There were four people in line, and ALL four were moving those thumbs at lightning speed. Today at my bank while I was waiting in line, there were four people behind me and one in front all looking at their phones.  I had to tap the lady’s shoulder in front of me, because she didn’t notice that the teller was ready for her. A few days ago at the Post Office, there were about twelve people in line, and ten of them were fixated with their phones. When we go to the movies, it is quite annoying seeing those lights come on and off quite often during the film. What are they checking out? Is it that hard to wait for the end of the movie to turn on your toy again? And of course, as soon as the movie ends, before the first credit rolls, you can see a sea of cell phone lights illuminate.

I witness quite often people crossing the street while texting. Are they nuts? I saw a couple sitting across from my piano some nights ago, and they were texting the entire time.  I finally asked them about it, and they told me that they were texting each other! What? Do people know how to have face-to-face conversations, anymore?

On a personal note, I have been playing tennis with my friend, Bob, for the last 28 years. We used to talk between games, but since his obsession with his iPhone, we don’t talk much anymore. He practically runs to check his phone with every change of court.  I’d have to estimate that he approximately checks his phone about a dozen times during our hour-long game.  I miss that we used to talk about politics, world affairs, life, etc. I can’t compete with the wonders that he finds on his cell phone.

Fortunately, my guests at the hotel over the age of 45 talk to each other, request songs and they seem to enjoy my music. Before smartphones became all the rage, customers at the hotels I played for gave paid attention to my music. I am not simply playing the piano every night; I see myself as giving my audience a concert.  Night after night, I give my audience the very best of me, and their undivided attention shows me that they appreciate my playing for them.

Despite the fact that movie theaters and concert halls already have rules prohibiting cell phone usage, there’s still a lack of enforcement to ensure people follow those rules.  How about leaving the cell phones at the entrance of concert halls and movie theaters? I attended a concert in Las Vegas where the management requested the audience to leave their phones at the entrance, and retrieve it after the performance.  I did enjoy that concert.

According to statistics, teenagers’ texting while driving have caused mayhem and tragedies on our roads. And, to mention the problems that parents and their teenagers have come across with regards to “sexting.” My solution to the problems is to give teenagers cellular phones without the option of texting.  These phones DO exist.   I wish that Dr. Phil would suggest my solution on his show.

I guess I am not the only one annoyed by this modern trend, because some private clubs and NY restaurants are requesting no cell phones in some areas of their properties. Maybe there is hope for all of us that enjoy a nice conversation or a theater going experience uninterrupted by inconsiderate people. Many people today love to live in the virtual world, but I prefer the real world. Maybe it’s the death of silence. People today seem to be afraid of silence, because it would mean having to face their own thoughts and rethink their goals and reasons for being. For some people, that is probably a scary thought, so the numbing effect of cell phones and devices are the perfect “escape” and distraction. Last night I was playing a Nocturne by Chopin and during the 3 minutes that it lasted, the horrible (for me) sound of three cell phones were an unwelcome intrusion for most guests.

OK, it is off my chest. I welcome your comments.

Sincerely yours,

Antonio Castillo de la Gala

www.antoniocastillodelagala.com