Dear Tell All: I was at a concert recently at the Overture Center, and the person in front of me spent most of the evening filming the event on her cell phone. I tried to ignore it, but in the dark room, I couldn't keep from focusing on the shaky, lit-up screen three feet away from me. Needless to say, it was hard to remain "in the moment" and enjoy the show.
I was at a wedding, and almost all the guests were filming the ceremony with their phones. They didn't even have the courtesy to put the devices down during the sacred vows, which sure seem a lot less sacred when everyone is paying attention to a screen rather than to what's happening up on the altar.
I was at a movie at Point, and the person next to me checked his mail and sent texts throughout the previews. Of course, he kept it up even during the portion that instructs patrons to turn off their cellphones. "Okay," I thought, "if he keeps it up during the movie, I'm going to say something."
Sure enough, he kept clicking away after the movie started, distracting me with his bright screen. "Would you mind putting that away?" I said, forcing myself to be polite. He glared at me and hissed, "I'm going to!" I guess he expected me to realize that he would eventually get around to putting his phone away, after he'd finished all his important business.
Tell All, is there any way to stop this modern menace?
Just Trying to Enjoy Myself
Dear Just Trying: You did the right thing by speaking up in the movie theater, and you got results. Similarly, Overture Center events are full of ushers who would be happy to respond to your complaints. And even wedding venues have begun confiscating guests' cellphones before a ceremony. So, yes, there is hope.
We'll probably never win the war against these rude cellphone users. But as you've proven, we still have a fighting chance in individual battles.
Do you have a question about life or love in Madison? Write Tell All, 101 King St., Madison, WI 53703. Or email tellall@isthmus.com.
