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

[auserna]

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.

Because they're inconsiderate, entitled twats.
Same as people who use public transport and public spaces, watching reels and films, or listening to music, without headphones.

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

Don’t want to get makeup on their phone screen?

I agree, very irritating.

Because my phone is broken and it only works on speakerphone!
I make sure to take any calls as discreetly as possible, honest!

Sometimes I cringe for the other person who probably doesn’t realise that they’re being broadcast to the bus, or the loo queue.

I hate it too, can’t think of an excuse other than a broken phone in which case I’d apologise and say I’d call the person back when I’m in a more private location.

rude AF

Not everyone can hear the other person on the other end of the phone.

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.

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.

Yeah right

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

I went to the nearby garden centre today as a wee birthday treat for myself. Inside the garden centre there was a woman having a speaker phone conversation with someone. And on the bus back some guy- probably in his 30s - was playing music on his phone for everyone to hear.
It was meant to be a relaxing enjoyable trip but I ended up with a sight disturbance migraine from the stress.
I just can't reconcile myself to the current selfishness of people who don't care about how their behaviour affects others

Are you sure they're not on a FaceTime/WhatsApp/other video call? You have to hold the phone away from your face then, to see the other person and for them to see you. Hence the speakerphone setting.

Still annoying, though. People who want to FaceTime in public should acquire and use headphones.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

My mum does it. Drives me mad!

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.

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.

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.