Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To wonder if it's rude to talk constantly on a phone on a long public transport journey?

49 replies

SpeedbirdSquawker · 29/07/2023 18:51

The man behind me has been talking on his phone for 40 minutes now. Not quiet but not overly loud neither. I'm ready to twat him but then I don't generally like people. Aibu to think phone calls on public transport should be kept to an absolute minimum?

OP posts:
cardibach · 29/07/2023 18:52

If it’s no louder than he’d talk to a fellow passenger it’s fine.

Hufflepods · 29/07/2023 18:53

It’s not really any different to two people chatting, if anything you are actually getting less noise.

BlastedSkreet · 29/07/2023 18:54

I think it is.

But I don’t think everyone does.

I also think it is rude to watch a film / TikTok / kids programmes/ play games without headphones.

But again, maybe 20 percent of people think it is ok? Judging by how many do it.

londonba · 29/07/2023 18:55

It’s completely fine unless you’re in the quiet carriage

Milyt · 29/07/2023 18:56

It’s annoying.

Lovepeaceunderstanding · 29/07/2023 18:56

londonba · 29/07/2023 18:55

It’s completely fine unless you’re in the quiet carriage

Sorry @SpeedbirdSquawker this 👆🏻

LaughOutInTheGrass · 29/07/2023 19:03

It’s fine, you’ve said he’s not overly loud so it’s no different to chatting to someone sitting next to you.

CremeEggThief · 29/07/2023 19:05

Extremely annoying, but not rude.

Zezet · 29/07/2023 19:07

It's a lot more annoying than when you hear both sides of the conversation... but I agree with PP, as politeness dictates you pretend not to hear the conversation anyway, it is not rude for him to have a phone conversation at normal volume.

MaxiPadd · 29/07/2023 19:23

Long journeys are that - long. Not everyone can wait till they're over to have conversations, could even be a work call

Unless you're in the quiet carriage I think since the invention of mobile phones you kinda have to put up with it tbh, not to say it can't be annoying- it can but then so can food smells, a person coughing with a non contagious cough or kids chatter etc

TiramisuTastesDreamy · 29/07/2023 19:34

It’s annoying and rude . No consideration for others ! It’s different if you need to take or make a brief call - but that length of time takes the utter piss

Harrythehappypig · 29/07/2023 19:40

Is he very sweary? The group 3 rows from me having a loud convo are - well, one of them is anyway. But the group of loudly singing men who were on briefly was worse. I may have wine when I get home.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 29/07/2023 19:44

I think so. A lot of people seem to talk louder on their phones too.

I have heard people having intricate business detail meetings on trains on their phone, and also people being abusive to a partner on the other end. It’s not nice to hear!

woodhill · 29/07/2023 19:46

Gets on my nerves when it goes on and on

titchy · 29/07/2023 19:58
Grin
fireflyloo · 29/07/2023 19:59

I think anything other than a short phone call with purpose is rude when you're in close proximity to other people. I hate the increase of video calls even more. I actually cringe.

DojaPhat · 29/07/2023 20:01

I would be far too embarrassed to do this. Anything more than saying I'm running late/change of location etc I can't do it and even then I'd rather send a WhatsApp. Many people just don't give two hoots presumably.

MinnieTruck · 29/07/2023 20:02

This is a new one. Someone can’t even be on the phone on public transport now?😂

If he’s not being overly loud then what’s the problem? If I have a 1 hour journey on public transport and I want to be on the phone for that whole hour, what exactly is the problem?

megletthesecond · 29/07/2023 20:03

Yabu. I think it's fine. But I am very nosy and judgy.

FredaFox · 29/07/2023 20:07

As a frequent train traveler I hate this, normal phone voice is gone but it's the ones that boom down their mobile, possibly to counteract poor signal they go louder
Even worse are the ones that have full conversations on speaker so you hear it all

Also kids on tablets at full volume, use headphones people!!!

FredaFox · 29/07/2023 20:07

Fine not gone 😂

woodhill · 29/07/2023 20:09

MinnieTruck · 29/07/2023 20:02

This is a new one. Someone can’t even be on the phone on public transport now?😂

If he’s not being overly loud then what’s the problem? If I have a 1 hour journey on public transport and I want to be on the phone for that whole hour, what exactly is the problem?

Its irritating and why do you want everyone else to hear your conversation

HunterHearstHelmsley · 29/07/2023 20:10

I don't like to have calls on the train but it doesn't overly bother me when others do.

It annoys me if they're having a juicy argument and I can only hear one side though.

MinnieTruck · 29/07/2023 20:11

woodhill · 29/07/2023 20:09

Its irritating and why do you want everyone else to hear your conversation

So because some people will find it irritating, I shouldn’t be on the phone to pass the time? Strange logic. As long as the phone isn’t on loudspeaker and I’m not shouting then no one could exactly tell me to get off the phone can they?

Swipe left for the next trending thread