Bluetooth and Hands Free Cell Phones

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I'll start by saying that I cannot stand cell phones. I find the ringtones very distracting and people are often very rude regarding their use.

But even worse is the proliferation of Bluetooth and Hands Free cell phones.

This sort of thing happens to me almost daily.

I will be walking down the street alone, minding my business. I will pass a person on the sidewalk. As I pass the stranger will startle me by loudly saying "Hi!". This usually catches me off guard and I will try to return their greeting. When I do, the stranger will respond with a "Who do you think you're talking to?" or with a scowl and continue walking on, blabbing away into the aether. These people are having a conversation with someone on a telephone and I have no visual cues to indicate that that is what is happening. Usually you can hear them trailing off, "Yeah, sorry. Some weirdo thought I was talking to him!...".

This is very confusing to me.

Since this has started happening, I have found myself intentionally ignoring strangers who say hello because I'm convinced that they are speaking into a telephone that I cannot see! Then if they actually were addressing me, I come off as rude for not replying! I can't tell who they are talking to, me or somebody who is not even present!

Does anyone else have this problem?

Can anyone offer any solutions?

This is really annoying. I don't often walk among strangers, though, so it's not a big problem for me.

One solution, though not fail-proof, is to see if they are looking at you. If a stranger is going to say hello to you, it is highly likely that they will try to make eye-contact with you. Of course, the person on the phone may too, just to see what you're up to, or as a silent greeting.

If anyone else has a better idea, please do tell.

Thanks Aoife! The eye contact is however part of my problem. I really have a hard time doing it, but perhaps with more practice I could learn to get a little better at it.

I think cell phones are a godsend... mine has saved me waiting for hours out in the cold multiple times.

But Bluetooth headsets... eugh. I can understand if you're nervous about cellular radiation, but other than that... you bought the phone, so use it like a phone!

Look for the headset attached to their ear.

I tend to ignore people in public unless I recognize them. If I hear someone say, "Hi." I won't respond unless I know the person.



I have a headset that came with my phone. I highly doubt I'll ever use it, I don't want to look as though I'm talking to myself.