I was visiting family graves in a churchyard last week and hoping to spend some quiet contemplative time as there was no-one else there. However, a young man and his son of about 4 years old appeared round the corner obviously enjoying a walk in the autumn sunshine.
The young man had a mobile phone glued to his ear and was carrying on a loud conversation via speakerphone while the child ran around asking his Dad numerous questions.
I have no problem with children and questions; in fact, I encourage them and love to see happy inquisitive children. What I did have a problem with was my peace was disturbed by having to listen to a conversation that was of no interest to me and also that the child who should have been his father’s priority, was being ignored in favour of a telephone call.
I have seen many parents in children’s playgrounds ignore their offspring and concentrate wholly on a mobile phone which seems to have usurped any face to face communication. How can a phone call be more important that your child’s safely?
And is it necessary to use a phone in a public place? A suppose a churchyard is better than inside the church, but perhaps that too has happened. I resent having to overhear the conversation of others whether it be in a train carriage, on a bus, or in the street, and I feel slightly guilty at having to listen in on what should be a private conversation.
Mobile phones are excellent in emergencies or checking on other’s safely, but whatever happened to ”may I call you back?” when the situation is not appropriate. Or does inappropriate not apply where these ubiquitous phone are concerned?
Mrs A Porter, Weymouth
