If you use your phone on loudspeaker when in public, can I ask why?

[Eastie77Returns]

I’m genuinely interested in understanding the mindset behind people who do this.

Yesterday on a packed train I stood next to a woman who conducted multiple calls on loudspeaker over the course of about 20 minutes.

The entire carriage got to hear her conversation with someone about an appointment to treat a Verrucah, problems with the cat, Gary’s laziness as he hasn’t moved the barrels yet and they’ve been there since yesterday…and various other things. She was shouting as the line was bad, redialling when the phone cut out and bellowing “I’m on a TRAIN…I keep cutting out when I go under a TUNNEL..can you HEAR me”

I find the whole thing beyond baffling. Why would you want strangers to hear your business. So, if you make or answer calls and go on loudspeaker when you’re on public transport is there a specific reason you do this?

I don't but my husband does because he is hard of hearing and can't hear it properly otherwise.

I can't answer your question, but this bemuses me also.

I am of the opinion that so many people these days are so self absorbed that they don't consider anyone else to be important. I think it has become much worse since covid too. It's like we have all forgotten how to behave in a civilised society.

One only has to look at the amount of people who stop in doorways to chat, or in the aisle of the supermarket thus blocking it for everyone else. It's as if nobody else exists.

And don't get me started on phone zombies wandering along pavements so caught up in the screen that they aren't looking where they are going.

Other than hearing difficulties, it really does smack of selfishness and a complete lack of awareness of your surroundings. People who do this tend not to be the brightest, as you can tell by their tedious conversations.

Even worse when it's a video call. People wandering about the street or supermarket not paying attention because they are looking at the screen on their video call or treating us all to the conversation at the waiting area of swimming pool, or bus or train. Infuriating!

I always use loudspeaker because I can't hear otherwise. However I never make phone calls in public places and only answer if it's absolutely vital. Which is very rarely is.

I think there are two separate issues with this. One- why do people do it? May be Deaf, have a physical issue, fucknut influencer on tiktok does it etc. Two- why does anyone need to have loud conversations in public however they hold their phone? Unless it's your child's school/the hospital etc, people are so incredibly available and lacking basic manners now and will have very loud conversations with no regard for anyone else.

Yes, this always perplexes me too. I’m always tempted to deliberately and conspicuously listen in, maybe chip in, because if they’re going to make it so public it’s fair game for me to join in.

Due to my hearing however I would not being do that beyond and sort of urgent call and even then I would try without the loud speaker.

I think that’s the only thing to do really. Suggest some random verruca treatment or ask if she’s considered spraying Gary with a water pistol to make him get up & move the barrels.

My neighbour does this in the summer in the garden, all work calls on loudspeaker so we all hear everything. Drives me crazy so I get the lawn mower out 😁

Conversations are one thing but Godawful horrendous “music” blaring out is another.

It is utter utter SHITE and actually irritates my ears and brain. It’s not occasionally, it’s all the bastard time.
Blaring on a busy train, why the fuck? Why?

My phone speaker is broken and I can’t afford to get a new one / it sorted. I rarely have phone calls though, and would avoid doing it in public unless it was an urgent call.

Ok, so this I understand.

I think I read before that it's a trend people have picked up from programmes like the Kardashians etc. They use their phones away from their face and on loudspeaker because it's better on film so the viewer can hear the conversation and see their reaction.

I find it really irritating though outside of people doing it for hearing-related reasons.

I don't, but I rarely make/take calls on my phone anyway.

It disproportionately irritates me when people do, but then I think - is it really any different to listening to two people talking when they are together? I'm still listening (whether I want to or not) to a two way conversation.

Playing music videos on your phone without headphones is equally grim (and there are no excuses for this at all)

Disabilities aside, the answer is "because the person is a bellend". Hth.

My hearing is bad so I do this if I am walking down the street, I wouldn’t do it on a train though.

I do wonder if it is that much different to having to sit and listen to two people in person talking to each other, you would hear the whole conversation then? Just a thought

My phone is old and chappy and only works on speakerphone! Having said that, I always try to make my phone calls somewhere private.

I do at work, but I'm wandering around fields or lanes with the dogs and it's easier than trying to have the phone to my ear! Also no one around to disturb!

Never got this habit either. Most phones have a speaker and microphone ergonomically positioned to be simultaneously near to the mouth and ears thus enabling a conversation to take place. Amazing really. Quite why people feel compelled to hold the phone flat in front of their heads while shouting as they bumble down the street is beyond me. Twats.

I understand it too, but presumably the DH doesn’t hold loudspeaker conversations in public unless it’s unavoidable anyway?

I had to make a (non-loudspeaker) call on crowded public transport a few weeks ago because I was running late to a hospital appointment - thanks to massive public transport cancellations - and wanted to let them know/apologise. I felt embarrassed enough as it was; I wouldn’t have wanted to share the full discussion with my fellow travellers unless I couldn’t have made the call otherwise 😳

It's mostly because they are self absorbed, inconsiderate numpties.

I think this is all really just part of the general trend towards the death of shame.

I do as I'm deaf in 1 ear. But jot all the time