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April 24, 2007
Why don't Americans like cellphone headsets?
I see zillions — give or take a few million — of people, mostly students, every day when I'm out running around the University of Virginia, many talking on their cellphones while they're walking.
I would bet that not more than 2% of those individuals use a headset or earbud, either wired or Bluetooth.
And those two are male.
Why?
Don't the other 98% get tired of holding a phone to their ear while they walk when they could do otherwise, and talk and hear with even greater clarity?
What fascinates me about this observation is that I'm told by reliable sources that in Helsinki, it's rare to see someone holding a phone to their ear, so ubiquitous is the headset.
Women especially would benefit from using a headset, which after all isn't really a headset as much as it is an ear adornment that won't mess up anyone's do.
Talking and walking in some of the serious shoes I see around looks like a recipe for disaster, especially if the story's juicy and the sidewalks are as torn up as they are around UVA.
April 24, 2007 at 02:01 PM | Permalink
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Comments
I belive perception has a lot to do with it.
People don't want to be percieved as self important, geek, etc.
In the same vein that cellphone holsters are not considered fasihonably sound choices, a blinking borg implant gives off a mechanical, i am tethered to work, air.
The cats in Helsinki are probably more inclided to pragmatism then the self concious in the us.
Posted by: ag | Apr 26, 2007 12:48:47 PM
I have two bluetooth headsets. I find that I have more dropped calls when I use them. Can't figure out why. Doesn't seem like it should affect the connection.
Posted by: Gini | Apr 24, 2007 10:39:51 PM
Well I know I have a headset I use sometimes, at home. I don't carry it with me certainly. Mind you my cel is my only phone so there you go. I just find that headsets don't work as well. Either they are too loud and make me too quiet or vice versa or something.
And still there are times I use them because it is easier. Also, I kinda like the feeling of holding something to my head while I use the phone. I always had to, when I used a phone, in the past, right? So it's in the scope of right sensation for the moment. Whereas a headset can feel strange because I didn't grow up with them.
Posted by: Adam P. Knave | Apr 24, 2007 4:31:41 PM
In Manhattan the common sight is people with one iPod ear bud dangling so an ear is free to use the cell phone should they need to.
At least the folks who still hold the phone to their ear aren't mistaken for psychiatric patients conversing with imaginary voices. Of course, even if they're holding a phone they still might be delusional.
And then there are those who walk around with their phones on speaker mode all the time.
Posted by: Al Christensen | Apr 24, 2007 3:35:22 PM
Because looking like Lt. Uhura has never been cool?
Posted by: Mary Sue | Apr 24, 2007 3:27:45 PM
Could it be the backlash from idiots that walk around with these things clipped to their ear 24/7 as if the world around them doesn't matter?
Mah gawrd, the only people I see with these are white trash, drug dealers, self-important thugs, and business men that think if they aren't talking loud and obnoxiously to no one in particular, they are quickly losing value in societies eye. And what about the white trash queens with the big hair and can't even see the damn ear sets...it makes for a funny commercial, but the next idiot that seems to be talking in my general direction yet gives me a pissed off look and the ear point when I respond is getting smacked upside the head regardless of what category they fall into.
I have three headsets, two of the Jabras and an Earbone. I used them in my car, but I quickly realized I'd forget to take them off and act just as self-important as the rest. And worse, hands free phone calls are not any safer -- its a well known fact that divided attention is just as bad if you are holding something to your ears or have two hands on the wheel. At least with the thing being held up to my ear in the car, I quickly realize I need to get off or pull over to the side.
So why no earpieces? Maybe because people are realizing what asses they are and re-adjusting...
Posted by: clifyt | Apr 24, 2007 2:39:26 PM
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