Do Rude Mobile Phone Users Deserve ASBOs?
Mon, 12 May 2008
We all laugh at Dom Joly roaring into his giant mobile phone but as most people will tell you, ignorant mobile phones are right up there with cockroaches and rats on the ‘Things I Hate Most’ list.
A new survey of 2,000 UK adults has revealed just how hated rude mobile phone users are. More than half of respondents said that ignorant phone users should be punished, while 1-in-10 went further by claiming they should be slapped with ASBOs.
My own solution of hanging them naked from lamp-posts by their toes and offering passers-by the chance to spank them with table tennis bats for charity and sticking the video on YouTube was not, sadly, among the key solutions offered.
Most people felt they should have a 12-month ban on using their phones in public which, to be frank, is unenforceable. Unsurprisingly, men wanted harsher punishments than women. Most respondents were also against mobile phone use being allowed on planes, which is coming sooner than you think.
The Top 5 irritating mobile phone abuses are:
1. Talking loudly on the phone
2. Texting while talking to you
3. Playing loud music on their phones
4. Using their phone in restaurants
5. Swearing on the phone in public
Rob Barnes, head of broadband and mobiles at moneysupermarket.com, commented:
"Some people blissfully ignore basic mobile etiquette when it comes to using phones in public places, shouting and swearing regardless of where they are. We’ve become addicted to being constantly connected and I think one of the worst things someone can do is incessantly check their phone whilst talking to you. Although I do think handing out mobile ASBOs may be a bit severe."
Right, back to my plan for lamp posts, charity spanking and YouTube video disgrace – all suggestions on how we can make this a law appreciated.-Martin Lynch
