Can we just be sensible and turn off your mobile phone?

In California, the National Association of Theatre Owners want the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to allow the blocking of mobile phone signals in theatres.

The Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association, a Washinton-based cell phone lobby, said it would fight any move to block mobile phone signals.

UPI - Theatre Owners want cell phones blocked

In London, movie theatres would air a short clip asking attendees to turn off or switch their mobile to vibrate. Unfortunately, it has happened 2-3 times where a mobile will ring off several times before the person even answers it. It would be quite courteous if the person could answer their phone on the first ring.

However, asking people to switch it to vibrate has really fallen on deaf years. Somehow people just think that no one would call them, and by Murphy's Law, it does happen. I would like to thank those customers for quickly leaving the theatre to answer their phone, but there are those that would try to lower their voice and talk. C'mon here, it really does not help the situation.

I usually savor the commercial in the US theatre where a guy answers the phone while watching the movie, and is thrown out of his chair into the screen.

It not limited to the movie theatres but also musicals and operas. Why do people believe that they have the right to leave their phone on ring while watching a concert or a Broadway musical? Does it make more sense to switch it to vibrate? There was one story of an actor doing a stand-up show, and a woman's mobile went off. The actor proceeded to tell off the person for not shutting her phone off. We understand the need to keep the phone on for emergencies but unless you are a heart surgeon, I think you can deal with the phone being turned off for an hour or two. Or just switch it to vibrate, it's simple enough.

I still think we can do this voluntarily but with a twist. If the person next to you has their phone on and it rings off, you have the right to tell him/her off. Throwing the phone may be considered in extreme situations. :)