This morning on the bus I noticed that someone had scrawled on the back of one of the seat words to this effect: "Look at the white sheet behind u. Rule #3: No cell phone use..." Apparently I'm not the only one peeved at the way people behave with cellphones. I regret to say, though, that my fellow bepeeved one placed an interpretation on Rule #3 that is not strictly warranted by its wording, if the rules posted on the buses correspond to the rules posted on the web. It actually reads: "No playing of any musical instrument, radio, transmitting or receiving device, tape
recorder or similar device, unless earphones are used."
Arguably, that does include cellphones, which are certainly transmitting or receiving devices, and arguably function as a musical instrument with their ever so merry and droll ringtones. And I have frequently heard cellphone users utter profanity, which breaks Rule #13. Unfortunately, I smell a loophole in the word "earphones".
How about another rule? "It is unlawful to annoy your fellow passengers in whatsoever way with whatsoever electronic device you bear upon your person. Two separate complaints from passengers will be deemed sufficient to have you ejected from the vehicle or have your device impounded - recoverable from Mississauga Lost and Found located at the following maximally inconvenient address, and redeemable for a small fine of $25."
recorder or similar device, unless earphones are used."
Arguably, that does include cellphones, which are certainly transmitting or receiving devices, and arguably function as a musical instrument with their ever so merry and droll ringtones. And I have frequently heard cellphone users utter profanity, which breaks Rule #13. Unfortunately, I smell a loophole in the word "earphones".
How about another rule? "It is unlawful to annoy your fellow passengers in whatsoever way with whatsoever electronic device you bear upon your person. Two separate complaints from passengers will be deemed sufficient to have you ejected from the vehicle or have your device impounded - recoverable from Mississauga Lost and Found located at the following maximally inconvenient address, and redeemable for a small fine of $25."
Or, more broadly: "Cellphones are not to be sold to persons under 21 years of age. Use of a cellphone is dependent on successfully passing a social etiquette exam. Failure to comply with the rules of social etiquette in respect to cellphone usage will result in a fine of not less than $500 and a lifetime suspension of your cellphone privileges."
But seriously. We're rapidly becoming a society of bubble people, people who don't recognize the claims, or perhaps indeed the very existence, of strangers who are more than six inches from the tips of their noses. Virtually every piece of "communications" technology marketed in the last couple of decades has contributed to that. Is there any way of reversing this trend?
Next time: "Reader, I kicked him."
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