This post is in response to the request from Brad Shorr for posts about Cellphone Users and Abusers.

I got my first mobile phone about 10 years ago. It was of course a brick with limited features and I didn’t actually use it  much.  A new job meant that I qualified for a mobile phone at the expense of my employer and I was off and running ! This new job also meant a lot of rail travel. I quickly learned that  some people do not know what private means. I am constantly horrified at what I can hear without trying when travelling on public transport.  One day  I will take a stand and point out it out. But in the meantime - along with my fellow non speaking passengers I will put up with it.

When  I hear someone having an argument on the phone  I feel that my privacy has been invaded. I don’t want to be part of that any more than I would like to be involved in someone else’s fight in the street.

And when someone is talking ( loudly) about business I live in dread of the name of a friend/contact/business associate coming up and suddenly I am implicated in this discussion.

Even the banal chat about last night’s TV can cause anxiety - what if they want to see the back of the very contestant that I want to win Strictly Come Dancing/X Factor/ I’m a Celebrity ( actually I only watch Strictly  …)

And then there is the ” I’m on the train…”  conversations. So what? That’s what texts are for surely?

Now I am sounding like a grumpy old woman. Maybe that’s because I am. I never take a call on the train or bus, I have my ringtone turned off and I will check at the other end of the journey.  My contacts know that  and I am sure that anyone who is ringing out of the blue will be able to wait for an hour ( the longest journey for me).

But you know the reason I love mobile phones is that they allow me to stay connected with my family in a way that was not possible before.  When I am travelling with my husband I can keep in touch with the kids with funny stories or even a pic or just to find out how they are. And of course they can call me - to ask where their favourite shirt is for example! I recall the time I was at an Oasis gig with my daughter at Hampden Stadium in Glasgow . Now if you don’t know the band let me know they are loud !  My phone rang and I saw it was my son - and between blasts of guitar and vocals he asked me how to make cheese sauce for macaroni! That’s that kind of thing that as a Mum I find invaluable :-)

My elderly Mum and Dad both have a mobile though between them I think they make about 3 calls a month and don’t even talk about texting. When they remember to have one of the phones switched on ( they are usually out and about together) then we can contact them ….but it gives me a sense of comfort that they can get us if they need to - no matter where they are.

My husband has resisited using mobile telephony for such a long time it is still a surprise when he calls me - or indeed answers my calls but he is coming along on his texting skills in leaps and bounds as a result of nagging - sorry, I mean coaching -  by his children. They don’t usually want to speak to him but they do want to be in touch!

Really all I want is a little moderation by the other users who I consider to be in the “abuser” category. Then Everybody could be happy. It’s not too much to ask is it?