The Walking Texters

Ok...maybe I am just getting old. I find myself getting increasingly annoyed by people who are constantly text messaging, especially when they are walking and not paying attention to their surroundings. This is particularly annoying when they are crossing an intersection with a 4 way stop as they leisurely cross the street at a snail's pace. Meanwhile the line of cars at the stop sign is at the texter's mercy. Yesterday, while running errands, this happened to me 3 times on one trip across town. It does not bother me to have to wait an inordinate amount of time if the pedestrian has a valid reason (e.g. physical handicap, a walker or the like) but it really chafes me when an able bodied teen takes 5 minutes to cross the road. Am I alone?

(03-02-2012, 07:51 AM)bullgoose Wrote: Am I alone?

No!

Get Off My Lawn :@

Oh no, you certainly are not alone!

They are like " The Walking Dead " I am proud to admit I don't text.

You're not alone Phil. I just recently got a phone that could text, but I ain't going to do that crap. Not a teenager though, but even when I was I didn't do that crap. It's just rude and inconsiderate. I find I'm very different than many my age though.

Is it wrong if I laugh when they walk into a pole? Is it more wrong if I laugh when they fall down a hole?

But yeah... texters are bad. At least there aren't too many texters in the downtown Chicago intersections. If there were, the cabs would mow them down. But in the suburbs and where I live they can be a hassle.

(03-02-2012, 02:53 PM)etoyoc Wrote: At least there aren't too many texters in the downtown Chicago intersections. If there were, the cabs would mow them down.

That is one of the things I miss about Chicago. The other drivers would keep people honest or there were consequences.

Walking texters are almost as annoying as driving ones! I enjoy the convenience of a text every now and then, but not while driving - you may as well be writing your own obituary!

Phil, I'm definitely older than you. I don't even understand why most people are texting when they do. I'm of the generation that just calls someone if I want to talk to them. I even know one guy that won't carry his own phone when we're playing golf. Mine stays turned off, and I won't share. (just kidding)

Hell, my wife has gotten emails from a friend, on more than 1 occasion, telling everyone on twitter that she's at one restaurant or another. Who cares!!!

But yeah, this texting has gotten WAY out of control.

Phil, sadly it's known as the genie is out of the bottle syndrome. Believe me, it is only going to get worse.

(03-02-2012, 03:30 PM)ben74 Wrote: Walking texters are almost as annoying as driving ones! I enjoy the convenience of a text every now and then, but not while driving - you may as well be writing your own obituary!

As someone who has ridden a motorcycle daily all his life, I thought people driving while talking on cell phones was bad. (everyone thinks they can do it, NO ONE can). Texting while driving is ridiculous. I'm trying to behave here, but it's a real pet peeve of mine. I think any damage done by someone texting while driving should be treated as if it was done on purpose. Including damage to people.

They have done studies showing you drive better while legally drunk than when talking on a cell phone. I believe it. At least the drunk drivers know they are impaired and try to compensate.

(03-02-2012, 03:30 PM)ben74 Wrote: Walking texters are almost as annoying as driving ones! I enjoy the convenience of a text every now and then, but not while driving - you may as well be writing your own obituary!

If someone wants to put themselves at risk, fine, but unfortunately, they may be writing someone else's obituary.

My wife finally got an updated phone so she could text our son who is to damn lazy to answer his cellphone. I never have figured that out. You can answer a text but you can't turn it on and say hello.

It's a PHONE!

I'm with you Phil. If it's illegal to jaywalk, it should be illegal to text and cross an intersection.

(03-02-2012, 07:00 PM)bullgoose Wrote: They have done studies showing you drive better while legally drunk than when talking on a cell phone. I believe it. At least the drunk drivers know they are impaired and try to compensate.

Well Mythbusters has certainly done this on their show if you consider it relevant.

It also frustrates me, here in Boston jaywalking is very common which is one of the reasons why I hate driving here, but I do get a chuckle when I see 'walking texters" walk straight to a pole.

I've been know to yell out the window " GET OFF THE PHONE AND DRIVE!" They don't pay attention, they are too busy yakking and texting................

I don't mind embracing a new communication technology. What I do not like is the attitude when you refuse to look out for them because they are oblivious. As if they are not responsible for observing their own surroundings.

Larry

I do send some text messages but only when I know or expect that the family member cannot take a call at that time and I need to get a message across. Never when driving or walking. Georgia finally made texting and driving illegal. However, people who make stupid decisions do not always follow the law. I have watched as teenagers enter a crosswalk on a state highway while texting and appear oblivious to their surroundings.

My thoughts generally are similar to Johnny's - It's a PHONE - TALK! Have the courtesy to speak to the person calling.

My issue is not really with texting per se...it can indeed be a handy way to send a quick message. My issue is with the texting addiction, the need to constantly text and the tendency for texters to get so caught up in their "conversation" that they are oblivious to their surroundings. It is downright dangerous (not to mention rude).