People using phones on speaker

[Newnamefor2021]

Why do people do this? For the whole world to hear both sides of their conversation in public.

I'll preference this by saying that I am deaf and wear hearing aids so I can only hear the phone via speaker as my hearing aid doesn't work well with the phone speaker. However I wouldn't dream of doing it in public unless I had no option.

I just find it strange that so many people seem to do it. Currently on a children's ward and two people doing it very loudly describing their child's illness. It's very difficult to talk over their noise and it seems to be one call after another. However I often see and hear people on the streets doing the same.

I get it at home, it's much more convenient but are people just not bothered if people hear their conversations?

I'm probably being unreasonable but as a hearing aid wearer it's often all I can hear and I am just sat waiting for them to stop.

I had this the other day. Waiting indoor with a group of parents for our kids to finish their after school club and this lady listed to a gazillion voice mails on very loud speaker.

My mum does this in public. It drives me insane!
Although a last was having a really loud conversation in neros the other day, and I wish I could have heard the other side!!

I work from a hot desk space, happens a lot and drives me nuts.
Especially when people get up from their desk and colleagues sitting nearby and lurk by my desk to have their shouty conversations.

This! Drives me absolutely bat shit!

Honestly it happens so often I wonder if these people actually realise the "default" is phone to ear.

Is it because no one uses an actual landline phone anymore?

<feeling old>

I agree ! My neighbours all use their phone on speaker , in the garden ! It’s so loud .

@poefaced If I was your employer I wouldn't be very happy that you were broadcasting company business when out in public.

You must be incredibly awfully important but not very far up the hierarchy. All my incredibly awfully seniors are better mannered (and more sensitive about what they share).