Debate about cell phones in hospitals.

[ramanth]

our local phone company came in one day and RIPPED out both of our PAY PHONES without telling anyone about it b/c they didn't have enough charges on it - probably b/c everyone uses their cell phones!! Made quite lovely LARGE BARREN holes in the walls!!!

My parents were camping at a State Park last summer (one we've been too many time before) and walked up to the Ranger Station to use the pay phone and were surprised to find them gone. Lady working said the phone company just up and took them with no notice. So my parents bike down a mile to the local marina. THEIR phone was also gone.

So they biked back to the campground, got in the truck and drove for hours looking for a payphone. Finally found one (can't recall where...an old gas station I think) and called to let me know they got to the campground safely.

Days later when my dad blacked out from vertigo, mom had to drive miles away from the hospital to that same gas station just to let us know what had happened and how he was doing.

They now have a cell phone.

[sparks19]

My parents were camping at a State Park last summer (one we've been too many time before) and walked up to the Ranger Station to use the pay phone and were surprised to find them gone. Lady working said the phone company just up and took them with no notice. So my parents bike down a mile to the local marina. THEIR phone was also gone.

So they biked back to the campground, got in the truck and drove for hours looking for a payphone. Finally found one (can't recall where...an old gas station I think) and called to let me know they got to the campground safely.

Days later when my dad blacked out from vertigo, mom had to drive miles away from the hospital to that same gas station just to let us know what had happened and how he was doing.

They now have a cell phone.

Hey is it true that pay phones in the US will only allow you to talk for a few minutes before you have to add more money? I have heard that before....

Where I am from one quarter in the phone and you can talk forever if you wanted to.

As for cell phones in camp grounds.... I guess it depends on the cell phone and company but more often than not I can't get any signal on my cell phone outside of town until I get into another town. I used to ONLY have a cell phone and no home phone... but I got sick and tired of my phone dropping my calls everytime I wanted to talk to my mom for more than 5 minutes.

Not to mention they cost a fortune to use... especially to call Canada. lol

And the batteries.... ARGHHHHHHHHHHHH. You would think with all the "technology" they could get batteries that will charge and don't go dead after 5 minutes if you have had the phone longer than a year.... maybe it's a conspiracy to keep you buying the newest phones

[ramanth]

Hey is it true that pay phones in the US will only allow you to talk for a few minutes before you have to add more money? I have heard that before....

Where I am from one quarter in the phone and you can talk forever if you wanted to.

I think there is a time limit but honestly can't remember, but I do remember when pay phones were a dime, then they raised the rate to a quarter, then to 35 cents.

While at the mall recently, I noticed they still had two pay phones and it's 50 cents now! And I think there is a time limit.

My parents would use a calling card with the pay phones.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

That's interesting becuase over here they are thinking of doing the opposite.
Up to now mobiles have been banned in hospital because of the possible interference with equipment but nothing has been proven so they are thinking of relaxing the rules

[Karen]

Last I knew it's 50 cents for a pay phone for the first three minutes, then you have to put more money in - I haven't had to use one in years, but that's always how they were here, no matter the "starting fee."

[Edwina's Secretary]

I don't like television. Rarely watch it. The shows all seem to be about Anna Nicole Smith or voting people off islands. Have you been in a waiting room or in a hospital and heard the drone of Bob Barker prattering on about some overpriced washing machine?? The other evening I was trying to eat my dinner in the restaurant/bar of the hotel I was staying in and there was the LOUD tv!

But I am not going to suggest banning tvs from bars or hospitals or waiting rooms -- just because they annoy me.

We share our space in this world with other people. And everyone does not enjoy the same thing. We need to deal with it.

[sparks19]

I don't like television. Rarely watch it. The shows all seem to be about Anna Nicole Smith or voting people off islands. Have you been in a waiting room or in a hospital and heard the drone of Bob Barker prattering on about some overpriced washing machine?? The other evening I was trying to eat my dinner in the restaurant/bar of the hotel I was staying in and there was the LOUD tv!

But I am not going to suggest banning tvs from bars or hospitals or waiting rooms -- just because they annoy me.

We share our space in this world with other people. And everyone does not enjoy the same thing. We need to deal with it.

The only TV's I have experienced in waiting rooms had the sound off and closed captioning on. So NO I can't say I have experienced that.

Even in bars the only time they have the sound up on the TV is for a sports game... and that's because it's a sports bar and that's what people are there to see LOL. Actually we have a REALLY neat place around here called Damon's Grill. At each table it has a little speaker and they have 4 big screens and you can choose which tv you want to listen to. Each table has their own private thing. It's cool.

[Cataholic]

Staci- I wasn't aware of that pending legistlation in OH. But, I am not very into the politics of things, so, no shock, really. I don't have a bluetooth, but, I do use an ear bud (or bug, as my friend calls it) religiously. In fact, I should own stock in the ear bud company that makes the one I like. Gus chews through the cord-All.The.Time. I would estimate I have replaced 10 of them in 18 months. You would think I would learn, eh? Nope. I forget, and within minutes, he has chewed through it.

What else was I going to comment on....hmmm....thinking, thinking....thinking.

Oh, that's right! Taking my screaming child someplace, medical or not. Sometimes, you just don't have a choice. Screaming children, like cell phones, loud, ignorant people, long lines...well, just one of life's many inconveniences.