Have we let our mobile technology get out of control?
Whether it be in a church service or a movie theater, the sound of an imposing ring tone is hardly welcomed, but usually tolerated. What makes it worse, is ring tones are meant to get your attention, so they’re intrusive by nature.
Can you imagine a smartphone ringing during the climax of a song being performed at the New York philharmonic?
On the front row?
Well, you don’t have to imagine it, because it actually happened.
On the front row of the Philharmonic, for nearly four minutes, the familiar sound of an iPhone rang. It was so obtrusive, the philharmonic conductor had to stop the music.
The conductor turned his attention to the owner of the phone and asked,
“Are you finished?”
When there was no reply, he said,
“Fine, we’ll wait.”
After a couple more rings, the ringing ended, but not without some fireworks.
In an unusual breach of protocol for the usually buttoned-up crowd that populates classical music concerts, three people shouted their opinions to add more drama to the already tense atmosphere.
One angry concertgoer shouted,
“Thousand-dollar fine.” Two others shouted, “Kick him out!”
Those heckles were met with loud shushes from other concertgoers.
You can talk about phone etiquette all day, but people still forget. This mobile technology is operated by humans, after all, and we are all flawed at best. I could see a possible rise in signal blockers at concert halls and movie theaters, but at the same time, this is an interruption future generations are growing up with. Maybe it won’t seem like such a big deal to them.
None the less, despite the scene at the Philharmonic or what the future effects of mobile technology will be on upcoming generations, this violinist dealt with a mobile interruption in quite a humorous fashion:
[tentblogger-youtube uub0z8wJfhU]
Poor guy.
How does your church react to cell phones ringing during the service?
[via CNN | Image via Reinhold Behringer]
April says
We typically just keep going or chuckle and move on if it happens at an interesting time.
Eric Dye says
😀
deb Christensen says
Our Pastor asks to answer the phone. 90% of the time people do not let him do it, but sometimes, they will. 🙂
It’s hilarious whenever it happens, and it happens very infrequently. He never chides them or does it sternly, his face lights up and starts walking to the tone, “May I answer it?!” he asks. Yes, right on the mic. If it is someone he knows well, he’ll continue, “Oh, give it to me…” with a big grin.
Once it was Pastor’s wife calling the person. Now THAT was funny all the way around.
deb
Eric Dye says
LOL!
Raoul Snyman says
Our old pastor used to jokingly threaten people with a R100 fine (about $12.50). He never followed up on his threats though, it’s a real pity. We could have made a little extra cash for the church! 😛