Phone Etiquette in Public

To talk or not to talk, that is the question!

My fellow New Yorkers, today, I was furious with the woman on the back of the bus who was yelling on her phone. It all started at 2:30 PM, when I boarded the bus to go do grocery shopping at Fairway over at 72nd and Broadway.

Now, I'm seated down with my empty grocery shopping bag. All of sudden, I hear this woman yelling on top of her lungs.

"I said, you messed up my sandwich and someone is going to pay. I told you that I don't eat tomatoes and lettuce. Wait until I tell Leroy how you messed up my sandwich. That was $5 I spent for some nasty sandwich. I'm gonna tell Leroy... just wait... you wait!" says the Lady.

I'm saying, do we all have to listen to your conversation about your messed up sandwich? Granted, I'm very sorry whoever messed up your sandwich did, but why are you yelling on the phone on the bus? For a split minute, she was quiet and then she continued.

"I'm ready to take this up with the manager and when I come down there with Leroy, someone better have my $5 dollars. I need my money and miss, I'm not yelling! I JUST NEED MY MONEY!!! Hello? Hello?" says the lady.

I guess whoever she was talking to hang up the phone. Most of the passengers on the bus, including myself were relieved that her conversation ended. It was perfect timing because it was my stop to get off.

What I want to know is do you think it's okay to carry on your phone in public?

I do believe that some conversations should happen in the privacy of your home or some place private. I also don't think the person you're talking to is deaf, there's no need to yell.