the daily gripe

fable · Post by **fable** » Sat Sep 07, 2002 4:40 pm

Originally posted by dragon wench
Finally, I think it is really rude when somebody with whom you are alledgedly spending time answers their phone in mid-conversation. Unless I am expecting an important call, I always have my phone off when I go out with a friend.

Cellphones have also become something of a major irritant in concerthalls over the last decade, so much so that many orchestras forbid the audible beep. Can't say that I've seen it happen, but I know of at least a couple of major classical conductors who will stop a concert, turn, and stare at someone who has dared to initiate a cellphone call, and demand their removal from the concert. And the conductors have invariably received applause for this, too.

Dottie · Post by **Dottie** » Sat Sep 07, 2002 5:05 pm

Hrm... If im allowed to be abit evil... and ignore all requirements of self-awareness.

What bothers me is... whiners. Always complaing over other peoples cell-phones, clothing, manners or whatever. Enjoy your lifes instead.

And dont look at me that way, im sure im the right person to make this comment.

Zelgadis · Post by **Zelgadis** » Sat Sep 07, 2002 5:58 pm

What annoys me the most is that for cross country, since my school is in the middle of a city, we have to run all our practices on the road. On every run, there is invariably some guy in a sports car (probably to compensate for a few 'small' problems) who feels a need to pump up his ego by yelling at us. "Put a shirt on!" "Run faster!" "Youre pitiful!" ect. Step out of your car, and we'll see who is pitiful, little man...

Of course, it's even worse for the girls team, since they oftentimes run in only their sports bras and shorts, when it is hot.

fable · Post by **fable** » Sat Sep 07, 2002 5:58 pm

I really get annoyed at people who play debating game tricks to avoid genuine discussion, or to get around answering questions once they've made claims. This is true in reallife, but all the more so on the Web, where people feel that they can get away with a lot more since their actions don't have social results.

You know the kind of thing I mean: the person, for instance, who periodically pops up, and makes an accusation on a given issue; once you've answered this and straightened out the facts, they try to change the nature of the original accusation. Of course, you can go back and post what they originally said, but then they simply vanish, or lay low for a few weeks, only to reappear with similar tactics.

Then, there's the person who's answered by four people when they make an inaccurate observation. They respond by fastening on the weakest response, and refuse to acknowledge the others. Or the person who posts links to "informational sites" that are not informational at all, but mislabel and misappropriate bad research (if there's research in there, at all) in the name of a cause, any cause at all.

At least in forums like this one, we don't get the person who resorts to racist innuendo--or if we do, they're quickly removed.

Chanak · Post by **Chanak** » Sat Sep 07, 2002 8:21 pm

Cellphones...

Cellphones...quite possibly the root of all evil.

My singular experience with a cellphone (I haven't tried it since) was in the early 90's, back when car phones were hip and people would install false ones in their vehicles to look like they were with it...

I signed on with I won't mention the name of the evil empire in the hopes of having a convenient way of staying in touch with customers while on the road. This all appeared quite nice until the bill arrived....

The first bill was for US $1,400, which of course left me sitting there in stunned silence. After looking over the details of the calls made, I realized that not only had I *not* called Hong Kong or LA during the previous month, but that I also was not in the Chicago area, the Denver area, and the LA area, either...and it would have also been impossible for me to be in these places all at the same time, or at least a few minutes apart from each other. Yet, these calls were made using my number, and so insert name of evil empire dutifully billed me for it.

I called the evil empire that day (using an ordinary phone of course

), and reviewed the bill with them, and informed them I would only pay for the $50 or so of calls that I had made. They apologized and told me it would never happen again.

The next month, the bill was worth $2200. Needless to say, I was not amused.

I decided to trash the entire concept, and go back to using payphones along the side of the road.

Of course, in order to do this, I had to battle Darth Vader of the insiduous evil empire just to gain my freedom...and as it turns out, I was forced to pay a $240 penalty for breaking the contract.

Cellphones...more than likely the root of all evil.

Chanak · Post by **Chanak** » Sat Sep 07, 2002 8:32 pm

@fable:

Then, there's the person who's answered by four people when they make an inaccurate observation. They respond by fastening on the weakest response, and refuse to acknowledge the others. Or the person who posts links to "informational sites" that are not informational at all, but mislabel and misappropriate bad research (if there's research in there, at all) in the name of a cause, any cause at all.

This is something I can't stand either...it is the worst form of dishonesty imaginable. It sickens me when I realize someone is willing to purposefully mar or hide the facts in order to make their "cause" a viable one.

What's worse, though, is what some of these people resort to when they realize they aren't fooling anyone with their maneuverings.

Ode to a Grasshopper · Sun Sep 08, 2002 3:27 am

Originally posted by fable
I really get annoyed at people who play debating game tricks to avoid genuine discussion, or to get around answering questions once they've made claims. This is true in reallife, but all the more so on the Web, where people feel that they can get away with a lot more since their actions don't have social results.

You know the kind of thing I mean: the person, for instance, who periodically pops up, and makes an accusation on a given issue; once you've answered this and straightened out the facts, they try to change the nature of the original accusation. Of course, you can go back and post what they originally said, but then they simply vanish, or lay low for a few weeks, only to reappear with similar tactics.

Then, there's the person who's answered by four people when they make an inaccurate observation. They respond by fastening on the weakest response, and refuse to acknowledge the others. Or the person who posts links to "informational sites" that are not informational at all, but mislabel and misappropriate bad research (if there's research in there, at all) in the name of a cause, any cause at all.

At least in forums like this one, we don't get the person who resorts to racist innuendo--or if we do, they're quickly removed.

This is possibly one of my worst pet-hates of all. Don't forget the great "I'm not even going to try to argue with people who believe XXX, you obviously just don't get it and never will" etc. It always seems to me as a convenient way of not having to admit your arguments won't stand up to scrutiny by someone who has an opposing viewpoint.

Originally posted by Chanak
Cellphones...quite possibly the root of all evil.

Cellphones...more than likely the root of all evil.

No, that's Money, remember?

I have a cell phone, as do most teenagers in Perth, I didn't want one but it has proven quite useful (though I usually turn it off so I don't get harassed consistently no matter where I am). In Australia if you get caught driving and using a cell phone at the same time then it's a $50 or $100 (I forget which) fine.

Beowulf · Post by **Beowulf** » Sun Sep 08, 2002 5:51 am

Originally posted by dragon wench
IMO anyone caught driving while using a cell phone should be subject to the same penalties as drunk drivers.

That's just been brought in here

)). I don't think it's workable, but it might scare people anyway.

While mobile do have their uses, they tend to few and far between. Over here, we have one of the highest penentrations of mobiles in the world, after Japan. I've seen (quite a few) five and six year olds with their own mobiles. What possible use could they be?

I also hate alarm clocks. Scummy, nasty, horrible, unpleasant, irritating things. Ugh.

/-\lastor · Post by **/-\lastor** » Sun Sep 08, 2002 6:34 am

[rant]Waking up, cellphones going off during an important test, alarm clocks, people taking things for granted, people coming half an hour early for a party, people demanding things of each other, slow internet, a bugging computer (I actually killed my last computer by punching the harddrive in two pieces, through 2 plates of aluminium), dumb (I mean REALLY dumb) people, using l337 in daily language (people here actually SAY np), gossip, slander, etcetera.......[/rant]

I could go on like this all day, but I don't wanna b*tch about stuff. I'm not that grumpy

oki101 · Post by **oki101** » Sun Sep 08, 2002 7:44 am

cell phones

I completely agree with all you people complaining about cell phones in cinemas or theaters. They are annoying there.

But on the other side they are also very useful.

When I moved out of my parents home to start working I got a cell phone because in my use they are much cheaper then a house phone.
One other good thing is that i can send an SMS asking my mates what they are doing later or if we are meeting somewhere so I don`t have to drive to 10 different places to find out where they are. I have to drive because we live quite far from each other.

So theres my P.O.V. on cell phones.