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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask why people insist on making calls using speakerphone when in a public place?

113 replies

auserna · 16/04/2026 14:30

I mean aside from the obvious fact that it's highly irritating and inconsiderate to those around you, I don't understand the benefit. The sound is tinny, unpleasant and distorted, and you have to wave it in front of your face instead of simply holding it to your ear as we have done since Alexander Graham Bell were a lad.

I can see the point if you're at home, say cooking, and you pop it down on the worktop, or you're having a family chat with multiple people looking at the phone at the same time, but people on their own - on the bus, for example - I just don't get it.

I also hate it when other people put me on speakerphone - I find the resulting quality of sound uncomfortably unpleasant.

I'm in Italy at the moment and it's every bit as bad here.

Please explain, as it might help me to find it less annoying.

OP posts:
ThePieceHall · 16/04/2026 15:26

Because they want everyone to hear them telling their bestie that a tin of beans in the Co-op is only 65p.

MrsOni · 16/04/2026 15:25

Because they are dickheads. Simple as that.

7238SM · 16/04/2026 15:25

If someone does this in public, my thoughts are:

-Rude twat
-They are hard of hearing
-They don't know how to turn the speaker off
-They are worried about getting cancer if their head is near the phone 🤷‍♀️

LightYearsAgo · 16/04/2026 15:25

WiddlinDiddlin · 16/04/2026 15:23

I don't do it in public as I am busy doing whatever it is I am doing in public..

But I never put my phone to my ear, its horribly uncomfortable and my ear presses buttons.

If I need to talk to someone when I am in public, i send them a whatsapp/fb message.

For all those irritated by it though - in what way is it different to two people holding a conversation in public? Asides from the fact only one of them is physically present?

I've seen this argument before, if you genuinely can't see/hear the difference between two humans having a conversation and a disembodied electronic tinny voice sound you may need to visit an audiologist

WiddlinDiddlin · 16/04/2026 15:23

I don't do it in public as I am busy doing whatever it is I am doing in public..

But I never put my phone to my ear, its horribly uncomfortable and my ear presses buttons.

If I need to talk to someone when I am in public, i send them a whatsapp/fb message.

For all those irritated by it though - in what way is it different to two people holding a conversation in public? Asides from the fact only one of them is physically present?

ErrolTheDragon · 16/04/2026 15:22

EasterBunBun11 · 16/04/2026 14:50

I used to do it as my phone was broke so I had to put it on speaker as it was too quiet when not on speaker.

I do it now if I'm in a really loud busy place and cant hear the person.

To be honest I really dont care what others think around me, Im busy and if I need to take a call and put it on speaker I will. To many people get up in arms about sweet FA now. People need to mind their own buisness and just get over it.

Other people would like to mind their own business and not have someone else’s chat blathering on. 😂Presumably you don’t mind if people near you are talking to each other and the person you’re talking to therefore can’t hear you clearly because of the background noise you’ll be picking up?

randomchap · 16/04/2026 15:22

For many questions like this, the answer is simple. Some people are arseholes.

Why do people talk in a theatre?
Why do people use phones in cinema?
Play music loudly on the bus
Talk on speaker phones
Speed through villages
Let their dogs bark

Etc etc

The answer is simple. They are complete and utter dickheads

LightYearsAgo · 16/04/2026 15:22

EasterBunBun11 · 16/04/2026 15:20

Depends what im doing obviously.

Show quote history

Not a surprising answer from someone who seems to only care about themselves

EasterBunBun11 · 16/04/2026 15:20

cramptramp · 16/04/2026 15:16

Do you ever consider not making/taking calls in a public space?

Show quote history

Depends what im doing obviously.

EasterBunBun11 · 16/04/2026 15:19

PrincessofWells · 16/04/2026 15:17

I think you'll find it's because people want to mind their own business that they don't want to hear your detritus to whomsoever

Show quote history

move away then. problem solved for you.

doghasnoteeth · 16/04/2026 15:18

I have my phone on loudspeak but I always warn people who I am speaking to.If I am on train or in shop etc I decline a call.If out dog walking I cannot see the problem TBH .

PrincessofWells · 16/04/2026 15:17

EasterBunBun11 · 16/04/2026 14:50

I used to do it as my phone was broke so I had to put it on speaker as it was too quiet when not on speaker.

I do it now if I'm in a really loud busy place and cant hear the person.

To be honest I really dont care what others think around me, Im busy and if I need to take a call and put it on speaker I will. To many people get up in arms about sweet FA now. People need to mind their own buisness and just get over it.

I think you'll find it's because people want to mind their own business that they don't want to hear your detritus to whomsoever

cramptramp · 16/04/2026 15:16

EasterBunBun11 · 16/04/2026 14:50

I used to do it as my phone was broke so I had to put it on speaker as it was too quiet when not on speaker.

I do it now if I'm in a really loud busy place and cant hear the person.

To be honest I really dont care what others think around me, Im busy and if I need to take a call and put it on speaker I will. To many people get up in arms about sweet FA now. People need to mind their own buisness and just get over it.

Do you ever consider not making/taking calls in a public space?

Alwaysoneoddsock · 16/04/2026 15:14

HeadDeskHeadDesk · 16/04/2026 15:13

We seem to have ended up with a society largely devoid of basic manners and any sense of civic responsibility. The social contract is breaking down piece by piece before our very eyes.

Agree and the ridiculous part of this is - the people who are most likely to be breaking the social contract are the ones who need it most.

HeadDeskHeadDesk · 16/04/2026 15:13

We seem to have ended up with a society largely devoid of basic manners and any sense of civic responsibility. The social contract is breaking down piece by piece before our very eyes.

Alwaysoneoddsock · 16/04/2026 15:13

I think people have such poor muscle tone they get tired holding the phone to their ear. It’s much easier to hold it in front of you.

It’s incredibly selfish behaviour.

RomeWasVisitedInADay · 16/04/2026 15:12

It's very annoying, stupid and antisocial!

I wonder if it comes from people watching loads of reality TV where the young and beautiful types have to have the phone on speaker so the viewer can hear what they are saying on the other end, so it's become a cool, fashionable way of holiday your phone like the 'celebrities' on reality TV/Social media/YouTube etc etc. And also a bit of the 'look at me' attitude, also from all that reality TV tripe.

Toddlerteaplease · 16/04/2026 15:11

My mum does it. Drives me mad!

Morepositivemum · 16/04/2026 15:11

I’ve had to do it recently the odd time as my phone is going and my hearing is bad. Have only done it outside and get filthy looks but can barely hear on speaker and I need to check on my mum daily

HeadDeskHeadDesk · 16/04/2026 15:09

JoWawa · 16/04/2026 14:57

It's the only way that I can hear it. I don't do it in public only at home on my own.

I do it at home on my own too. It's much easier to have my hands free to get on with something else. But that's not what this is about.

LightYearsAgo · 16/04/2026 15:07

Tillow4ever · 16/04/2026 14:43

The only time I might put my phone onto speaker is if I’ve been put on hold and it’s just hold music. But I’d only do this if I’m outside and away from other people. I try to avoid phone calls at all costs though, so if I’m on a call it’s either an emergency or no other ways to contact them.

I haven’t ever really noticed people behaving in the way you describe though op. Pretty much anyone I see on a call either has a headset or has the phone to their ear.

Where on earth do you live that you never see this , do you leave your house?

Inconsiderate oiks are everywhere with their calls on speaker. Selfish behaviour and of course it's not because huge swathes of the population have broken phones or ear issues, they just don't care about anyone but themselves

HeadDeskHeadDesk · 16/04/2026 15:06

20thCenturyFecks · 16/04/2026 14:35

Just waiting for someone to come along and justify it......

To be fair, I've not heard anybody try yet. But there are loads of these rude, entitled twats about, including probably several reading this thread right now. It's largely an issue that can be divided roughly along demographic lines, but not always. It sometimes amazes me the type of people I see doing this, especially in restaurants. I'd have expected better, going by the look of them.

I feel a bit rude having even a regular phone conversation when I am on trains or in restaurants, let alone doing it on loudspeaker. There is something about being on your mobile that makes you project your voice more than usual compared to face to face chatting. It's really intrusive if it goes on for too long.

When my DH is on the phone, even when at home, for some reason he talks extra loudly and it drives me mad.

EasterBunBun11 · 16/04/2026 15:03

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BringBackCatsEyes · 16/04/2026 15:01

I think they do it to look like they’re on the Apprentice or something?

Buscobel · 16/04/2026 15:01

EasterBunBun11 · 16/04/2026 14:50

I used to do it as my phone was broke so I had to put it on speaker as it was too quiet when not on speaker.

I do it now if I'm in a really loud busy place and cant hear the person.

To be honest I really dont care what others think around me, Im busy and if I need to take a call and put it on speaker I will. To many people get up in arms about sweet FA now. People need to mind their own buisness and just get over it.

So you’re quite happy to annoy other people for what you regard as your own convenience?