The speakerphone paradox

[u/NeighborhoodJust1197]

I was at the pool today when a woman started having a conversation on her phone using the speaker.

I politely asked her if she could not use the speaker and pointed to my headphones.
She said, “I don’t have headphones.”
So I said, “You can just hold the phone next to your ear.”

She looked at me with a completely blank expression and said, “I’m on speakerphone.”
I said, “Well… that’s the problem.”

Apparently, we had reached the limits of modern technology.

[u/Jambu-The-Rainwing]

If you’re on speakerphone in public, it should be a law that everyone nearby is fully allowed and encouraged to join the conversation.

[u/BeerJedi-1269 → u/Jambu-The-Rainwing]

Theres absolutely nothing stopping you from speaking aloud or to another person in public. Theres a such things and manners and etiquette but the speakerphoner obviously disregarded that so feel free to as well

[u/BodybuilderHefty333 → u/Jambu-The-Rainwing]

What are you talking about? It is a public place, of course you are allowed to participate in the conversation. If it is something private, take the fucking thing off speakerphone.

[u/100KUSHUPS → u/BodybuilderHefty333]

It is a public place, of course you are allowed to participate in the conversation.

As devil's advocate, do you also just jump into conversations two people are having face to face in a public place?

Because on the speakerphone, it could be only one person in a public place (the other could be in their own home)., making it only half as public as the face to face.

[u/MisterBowTies → u/Jambu-The-Rainwing]

There was a comedian who had a bit about this and when they asked for privacy he'd say "no, you are in public. Your privacy is disturbing our public"

[u/flyfightandgrin → u/Jambu-The-Rainwing]

MAAM DID YOU DROP THIS HERPES CREAM?

[u/yungScooter30 → u/Jambu-The-Rainwing]

The thing is though, I wouldn't just join in on random strangers' conversations without the phone. Something about the speakerphone makes it way more annoying. I think it's just the breach of social etiquette.

[u/Alexwonder999 → u/Jambu-The-Rainwing]

"Heya, you got Bob here now. Lets talk turkey!" Then proceed to talk about turkey Or Turkey. Either way.

[u/Happy_Intention1630 → u/Jambu-The-Rainwing]

Is there an exception for children using watch phones?  

They literally don't have another choice and I think their conversations tend to be short and to the point. 

[u/YogurtclosetOk7654 → u/Jambu-The-Rainwing]

In the US, there is a law like that! The first amendment.

[u/0SaltBlue → u/YogurtclosetOk7654]

That's not what that means and people need to start understanding what "free speech" actually entails.

It just means the government (usually) can't arrest you for what you say. That's it.

It doesn't allow you infinite social freedom to say and do whatever you want without repercussions, only that those repercussions probably won't come from the state.