Transcripts

Barbara Pachter:
A cell phone jerk is somebody who is totally oblivious to how their use of their cell phone is affecting others. There often people who are screaming into their cell phones.

Barbara Pachter, author of the book, The Jerk with the Cell Phone, says, usually, you can do something about it.

One, and it’s sad that I have to say this, but - if you’re ever concerned for your safety - let it go.

But, those situations aren’t the ones that happen the most. So, you’re on the train, and you’re sitting next to somebody who is screaming into her cell phone, why not say something? The key here is - how do you say it?

Usually, by the time people say something, they’re pretty angry. And, anger doesn’t usually work.

So there is an alternative and it’s called being polite. It’s using the word "please." It’s voicing your request in the form of a question. It’s watching your tone of voice.

So, most people, if you go up to them and say something like, “Could you please lower your voice? I can hear your whole conversation,” most people would comply.

Mmost people don’t realize that they’re screaming. So when you nicely point it out, most people are embarrassed. “Oh, I’m so sorry."

The thing is - when we do speak up, if we’re not polite - it gives that person, they think, a license to get nasty. And, then, it’s just nasty builds nasty.

You can link to the cell phone jerk website from ours, somethingyoushouldknow.net, I’m Mike Carruthers, and that’s Something You Should Know.