Cell Phone Etiquette

[buckshotshoey]

Drove truck for years. Now work for DOT, on the road a lot.
I see as many truckers texting as I do four wheelers.

Ps. You could not pay me enough to have a cop in my cab.

Sorry but I have to call bull. Texting while driving a CMV isnt just a fine, it is instant loss of CDL. No way as many truck drivers texting as 4 wheelers. As for a cop in the cab, I would do it for free. I've had way too many near misses involving cell phones.

 

[Tin Man]

No offense intended but if you are paying attention to what the opponent is doing in his chair that indicates you aren't focused on the table. What bothers me is when my opponent bumps my cue while I'm shooting. Aside from that he can do just about whatever he wants.

A reasonable post but I don't think the issue is about my focus or my distraction level. It's about what type of experience we are looking for when we play pool.

I feel the same way when I'm having a conversation with someone. I cannot tell you the number of times I've been talking to someone and they start checking their phone. If it's a one second glance to check the time or see if they got a notification, fine. But if they take it further and unlock their phone I just stop talking. They always look over and say "I'm listening'. But it's totally different. You can tell the difference because when they are not staring at the phone they are interactive, laughing, responding, expanding on a point you've made. As soon as they have their phone open it's just disconnected grunts. It's so obvious that I can tell without looking the moment someone I'm talking to starts to look at their phone.

It's their right to use their phone. It's my right to set boundaries and decide what I'm willing to tolerate. I have no problem with people checking their phone on breaks in the game or the conversation. But if someone wants to spend time with me I have to rank higher than their phone. I don't have many friends but I enjoy the time I share with those I have.

 

[Tin Man]

It occurs to me that there are two major schools here. One is "If it doesn't affect play then it shouldn't matter", the other is "It impacts the experience". (I just finished reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance to my kids. One big theme is that traditional rationality, logical reasoning, diminishes the importance of quality, like since the quality of an experience isn't measurable with scientific instruments it must not matter.)

I've already agreed that it doesn't matter to me during competition, when the goal is all about the outcome. I am there for the win, my opponent is just a computer generated player to beat on my way to a finish line.

But when I'm playing with someone outside a tournament or cash game it is to spar and have fun sharing a game I love. When they are at the table I'm watching. I'm seeing what they're up against, I'm watching how they overcome it, I'm watching how they come up short. I'm there to applaud a great shot. I'm there to relive a situation that came up later during our lunch break and excitedly talk about how they dealt with a tricky spot. I'm there to recognize that their long shots were deadly today and encourage them to keep practicing.

So I think when friends play they serve as witness to each other's journeys. We are telling each other it matters, and that we support each other. If I'm going to get a robot AI I can just practice by myself until it's tournament time. But as I said, some of my best memories were not the big scalps, but those quiet afternoons in a pool hall with a friend.

 

[Cuebuddy]

Sorry but I have to call bull. Texting while driving a CMV isnt just a fine, it is instant loss of CDL. No way as many truck drivers texting as 4 wheelers. As for a cop in the cab, I would do it for free. I've had way too many near misses involving cell phones.

The laws change depending on the state. It can sometimes take multiple offences before a driver of a commercial vehicle can lose his/her license. It has been awhile since I have reviewed the laws and yes if you have a CDL, you are held at a much higher standard of rules than a regular license. I would agree that drivers that have went to the trouble of getting the CDL probably text less but they are still people with phones and are certainly using them while driving.

Distracted driving is an umbrella term and you might be surprised at how many things fall under this category.
Having a CDL myself and working for the state and being an third party examiner since 1989 I have seen the laws/rules change many times. However if a driver wants to use a electronic device while driving it is a risk. Everyone does it now in one way or another.
It was not long ago that if you watched a vehicle swerving you would assume that they were drunk or falling asleep. Now days if you pass them they are almost always looking down at their device. Young/old it makes little difference.

 

[DynoDan]

It’s funny, but my reaction to the seeming lack of common courtesy of the upcoming generations, was initially the assumption of their likely ignorance. You think: it must be because they just don’t know any better, so naturally you attempt to enlighten them. Ha.
As an example, I often used to explain to barroom 8-ballers (who spent inordinate time mixing up the balls while racking) about the rule merely requiring the racking of an alternate stripe & solid on the corners. You wouldn’t believe the hostility (”That’s not the way we do it in our league!” or: “You’re wrong, that’s not the rule!”). Much in the way they routinely butcher the English language (no one, it seems, under the age of 40 could communicate now if the words: ‘like’, ’awesome’, or ‘umm’ were banned!), people really don’t care any longer about tradition or courtesy. So, I no longer bother (not that my generation was any better…“Far out man”, Out of sight”).

 

[Korsakoff]

Probably not the correct thread to post this in, but….

My dear departed Mother used to use the classification “Jackass”.

We would laugh about it at the time, but now I hear her voice saying it every time I encounter a “jackass”.

There are a lot of Jackasses out there, and nearly all have a cellphone.

 

[maha]

what a joke this thread is.
you can give me thumbs down.

 

[buckshotshoey]

The laws change depending on the state. It can sometimes take multiple offences before a driver of a commercial vehicle can lose his/her license. It has been awhile since I have reviewed the laws and yes if you have a CDL, you are held at a much higher standard of rules than a regular license. I would agree that drivers that have went to the trouble of getting the CDL probably text less but they are still people with phones and are certainly using them while driving.

Distracted driving is an umbrella term and you might be surprised at how many things fall under this category.
Having a CDL myself and working for the state and being an third party examiner since 1989 I have seen the laws/rules change many times. However if a driver wants to use a electronic device while driving it is a risk. Everyone does it now in one way or another.
It was not long ago that if you watched a vehicle swerving you would assume that they were drunk or falling asleep. Now days if you pass them they are almost always looking down at their device. Young/old it makes little difference.

You are correct. But remember that hands free communication is still ok. Truck drivers have been using cb radios for decades, and not one accident documented because of them. To my knowledge anyway.

And I have to admit when I'm wrong. It takes multiple violations to lose a CDL for cell use. But the penalty is steep. Over $2700.00 for first offense after the feds get involved. I still remember reading it was an automatic 30 or 90 day suspension for having cell in hand while driving CMV.

 

[pt109]

I have played in tournaments where if your cell phone rings, you forfeit that game, whether you’re shooting or not.
...I’m good with that.
Gambling, I got mixed feelings....if my opponent is on his cell, I don’t think he can compete at his highest level..
...and that’s fine with me. If he’s on his phone too much when it’s his turn, I raise the price or quit.

 

[buckshotshoey]

Get the F off the phone unless you taking a picture.

I do, in part, agree with this. If you're in between games it's fine. But during a game, when it's your turn to shoot, I expect you to be at the table. I came to play pool. If I have to sit and wait on somebody to get off their damn phone, I might as well be playing with myself. Uh, that didn't come out the way I intended!

With all the apps and everything that come on them, I don't think people could do anything manually anymore. Hell I'll bet some kids can't even read a real map. They just go to their Google Map.

 

[buckshotshoey]

I’m on my phone taking a picture of the table layout sending it to my buddies and asking for a timeout.

And that's part of the reason APA banned all electronic use during tournament play. I think BCA does also. They don't even allow you to wear headphones, because somebody was caught cheating.

 

[buckshotshoey]

Hearing aids still okay?

I'm just stating what the rules say. I don't think they're going to make people take out their hearing aids.

 

[alstl]

A reasonable post but I don't think the issue is about my focus or my distraction level. It's about what type of experience we are looking for when we play pool.

I feel the same way when I'm having a conversation with someone. I cannot tell you the number of times I've been talking to someone and they start checking their phone. If it's a one second glance to check the time or see if they got a notification, fine. But if they take it further and unlock their phone I just stop talking. They always look over and say "I'm listening'. But it's totally different. You can tell the difference because when they are not staring at the phone they are interactive, laughing, responding, expanding on a point you've made. As soon as they have their phone open it's just disconnected grunts. It's so obvious that I can tell without looking the moment someone I'm talking to starts to look at their phone.

It's their right to use their phone. It's my right to set boundaries and decide what I'm willing to tolerate. I have no problem with people checking their phone on breaks in the game or the conversation. But if someone wants to spend time with me I have to rank higher than their phone. I don't have many friends but I enjoy the time I share with those I have.

You are playing a guy for cash and he discovers checking his phone will distract you. What do you think he's going to do?

 

[Tin Man]

You are playing a guy for cash and he discovers checking his phone will distract you. What do you think he's going to do?

If someone wants to play on their cell phone during a match they'd better have a battery pack because I will honor their wishes and make sure they have plenty of time in the chair.

I'll restate my position for those who missed it:

-If I am playing for enjoyment I set boundaries and don't share my time with people that are on their phone.

-If I am playing competitively I don't care what they do, they are nothing more to me than an obstacle between me and the win.

 

[ShootingArts]

A little off the subject the pool, but I drive truck for a living. Going down the interstate, one out of every four cars that passed me, the driver is typing on their cell phone. One of the remaining three have them sitting on their lap. So that means they were on their phone while driving.

There's something becoming more common, and that police officers riding along with commercial drivers in semi trucks. They're catching drivers on video texting while driving, then radio ahead to another officer to pull them over and give them a ticket for cell phone use while driving. You'd be amazed at some of the things I see from that vantage point.

I have driven a rig. Got one greasy side up when I topped a hill on a two lane to find a four vessel cement pumper across both lanes and both shoulders. However, real fear was when I was heading up I-55 in my pick-up, look over to the side and there is a little old blue haired lady pushing an eighteen wheeler up the sled while putting on her make-up, one hand holding the compact and mirror, the other applying the make up!

When it comes to pool, if I have to alert someone that it is their shot more than once I will start jerking around to look at them after a shot now and then. When they ask me what happened I will tell them the truth, "nuth'n". Before long their eyes are glued to the table when I am on it!(grin)

Hu

 

[jimmyco]

I have driven a rig. Got one greasy side up when I topped a hill on a two lane to find a four vessel cement pumper across both lanes and both shoulders. However, real fear was when I was heading up I-55 in my pick-up, look over to the side and there is a little old blue haired lady pushing an eighteen wheeler up the sled while putting on her make-up, one hand holding the compact and mirror, the other applying the make up!

When it comes to pool, if I have to alert someone that it is their shot more than once I will start jerking around to look at them after a shot now and then. When they ask me what happened I will tell them the truth, "nuth'n". Before long their eyes are glued to the table when I am on it!(grin)

Hu

When you consider the dexterity and focus it takes to piss in a gallon jug at 80 MPH, and how often that happens, it's best to stay as far away from semis as you can get.

 

[ChrisinNC]

A reasonable post but I don't think the issue is about my focus or my distraction level. It's about what type of experience we are looking for when we play pool.

I feel the same way when I'm having a conversation with someone. I cannot tell you the number of times I've been talking to someone and they start checking their phone. If it's a one second glance to check the time or see if they got a notification, fine. But if they take it further and unlock their phone I just stop talking. They always look over and say "I'm listening'. But it's totally different. You can tell the difference because when they are not staring at the phone they are interactive, laughing, responding, expanding on a point you've made. As soon as they have their phone open it's just disconnected grunts. It's so obvious that I can tell without looking the moment someone I'm talking to starts to look at their phone.

It's their right to use their phone. It's my right to set boundaries and decide what I'm willing to tolerate. I have no problem with people checking their phone on breaks in the game or the conversation. But if someone wants to spend time with me I have to rank higher than their phone. I don't have many friends but I enjoy the time I share with those I have.

I agree. There are some younger players in here who are relatively serious with their game and with trying to improve. When it’s slow in here at night after our waitresses leave, if they are practicing by themselves and I’d like to get in a little practice myself, I’ll often ask them to play.

Of course we’re not playing for anything, but I always still tell them let’s play a race to 5 or 7, which to me makes it more meaningful and allows me to focus more. I feel like I’m doing them a favor giving them the opportunity to play with me, no different than I would feel if a better player than myself asked me to play/practice with them.

One of them used to have a tendency of often checking and being on his cell phone when I was at the table. I politely made it clear to him that if he wanted me to play with him he had to show me the respect of sitting in his chair observing, just as I will do when he is shooting, unless I have to leave the table briefly to wait on a customer. Ever since I made that clear, he’s not done it. If I hadn’t requested that of him, there is no doubt in my mind he would have continued doing it.

 

[maha]

if not in a tournament set your rules before you play.. dont spring them on a person and expect them to live according to your hidden thoughts.

 

[Korsakoff]

When I practice by myself at home, I turn my phone off and store it on a cue rack. Must be some heavy hitters here where you need to focus on something more important than the match you are playing…

 

[Texas Carom Club]

It's good to know these things though, I mean if your so uptight you feel the need to give me directions on how to act when your shooting I don't want to play you either
I'd sure hate to shark y'all on accident,
no need to do me any "favors" either by asking me to play a game lol,

Geez fellas