2008 Woodie Awards
Students need to put down the phone
Angel Loupe
Issue date: 10/6/08 Section: Opinions
I am walking down a golden path. Beside me are my traveling companions; a cowardly lion, a dim scarecrow, a heartless tin man and a farm girl with one fabulous pair of shoes. We are headed towards the Emerald City in search of the great wizard. All of the sudden, flying monkeys come down and begin to attack us. I am trying to fight them off the best that I can, when all of the sudden, a cell phone rings.
I am brought back to the library where I have been studying for my history class. Two seats over, there is a man who has just silenced his rather loud and obnoxious cell phone ring by answering it in an equally annoying volume of voice. It would be wonderful if this boy would have had the least amount of respect for any of the fellow library patrons surrounding him by stepping outside to take the call. I suppose this hope was just a residual of the fantasy land from which I had so abruptly been torn.
Over the next 15 minutes, I am subjected to the topic of conversation between this young man and who I can only assume is his girlfriend. I learn when they will meet this evening, where they are to meet, how his day went, why he didn't come over last night (that I would not have believed had he even had video to prove it) and how much he loves his little sugar bear. My suspicions are confirmed by the call he receives approximately five minutes later as he recaps his escapade of the previous night with appalling detail. During that same conversation, I also learn why he missed his first class of the day, having nursed a well-earned hangover.
I typically do not hesitate to place myself in a position of authority and immediately approach the person in question in a polite but firm and authoritative manner, respectfully requesting that they either wrap up their phone call or take it outside. I also do this when people practice the ritual of lengthy conversations about nothing to do with study in the middle of a computer lab. My approach typically avoids any ugly or defiant confrontation, having had plenty of experience in the past that has aided in its fine tuning. Nonetheless, I am consistently annoyed by these thoughtless intrusions on my study and if it was not for my bold and unwelcomed approach toward these occurrences, there would be no peace and quiet. I have tested this theory more than once, having let these inappropriately loud disturbances continue at length. I have never encountered anyone who was asked by an attendant to keep the noise down or take it outside, save one.
I am brought back to the library where I have been studying for my history class. Two seats over, there is a man who has just silenced his rather loud and obnoxious cell phone ring by answering it in an equally annoying volume of voice. It would be wonderful if this boy would have had the least amount of respect for any of the fellow library patrons surrounding him by stepping outside to take the call. I suppose this hope was just a residual of the fantasy land from which I had so abruptly been torn.
Over the next 15 minutes, I am subjected to the topic of conversation between this young man and who I can only assume is his girlfriend. I learn when they will meet this evening, where they are to meet, how his day went, why he didn't come over last night (that I would not have believed had he even had video to prove it) and how much he loves his little sugar bear. My suspicions are confirmed by the call he receives approximately five minutes later as he recaps his escapade of the previous night with appalling detail. During that same conversation, I also learn why he missed his first class of the day, having nursed a well-earned hangover.
I typically do not hesitate to place myself in a position of authority and immediately approach the person in question in a polite but firm and authoritative manner, respectfully requesting that they either wrap up their phone call or take it outside. I also do this when people practice the ritual of lengthy conversations about nothing to do with study in the middle of a computer lab. My approach typically avoids any ugly or defiant confrontation, having had plenty of experience in the past that has aided in its fine tuning. Nonetheless, I am consistently annoyed by these thoughtless intrusions on my study and if it was not for my bold and unwelcomed approach toward these occurrences, there would be no peace and quiet. I have tested this theory more than once, having let these inappropriately loud disturbances continue at length. I have never encountered anyone who was asked by an attendant to keep the noise down or take it outside, save one.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
garyc
Gary C
posted 10/08/08 @ 2:27 PM CST
Angel,
I only go to the library for materials. If you need a relatively quiet environment and expect people to be considerate, the Walker library is not it. (Continued…)
T.L.
posted 10/09/08 @ 12:43 PM CST
I agree. Students need to make a better effort in being considerate to others. There are always going to be the folks that do it anyway, however,if we all aren't careful we may have some of these freedoms taken away. (Continued…)
Post a Comment