Why do people buy headsets for their phones?

That always confuses me! Cell phones were made to be easy to use and convenient. Headsets seem to me to simply be redundant. What is with people buying them then?

Ever tried taking notes while interviewing a story subject or talking with a client... while trying to clamp that tiny little cell phone between your ear and shoulder?

Ever tried shifting into second gear while making a call? (Yes, yes, hang up and drive, but sometimes you need to call... like when you thought you knew how to get to the Pepsi Center and you're fifteen minutes late for the Neil Diamond concert and your spouse is at home with maps.google.com at his fingertips... yes, I speak from experience!)

How about being on the phone when the bus arrives?

There are just so very many good reasons to have your hands free while you talk on the phone. Headsets are good things.

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Nicole

lives connect : gold and razor wire : precious contact

But with all due respect, they are so dorky. And loads of times I see people on them and don't realize that is what they are doing and I just think that they are mental. Awkward.

Well I've never had a problem with putting my phone against my shoulder, including while driving. Just good coordination then, I guess. But I do believe as well that they look dorky!

I think it was easier when mobile phones were big and chunky. I have an LG 1200, which when flipped open is mighty flat. It hurts after a few minutes to cradle them.

Anyway, I don't particularly care whether I look dorky. I care that I'm not constantly telling an interview subject to hold on while I reposition my phone, or drop it, or un-crick my neck, or try to catch up with them while trying to type one-handed (I'm still not past 20 wpm with right-handed dvorak, sorry). And that both of my hands are available for driving while my head is upright. Using my head to sandwich my phone to my shoulder puts my face at an angle that does truly dangerous things to my depth perception. Better to look dorky and stay on the road, that's my opinion.

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Nicole

lives connect : gold and razor wire : precious contact

'caue maybe the person beside you don't want to hear the intimate whisperings between you and da gal?

or in a restaurant or cafe when you're both shouting at top level?

*rolls eyes*

phone conversations were never meant to be THAT public...

Because in New York driving with a hand held cell phone is ILLEGAL~! That is one of the main reasons people buy them in new york. Also I think shopping is much easier

I agree, headphones are very useful for driving.

I don't drive, so I don't need to choose between dorkiness and safety. For me, dorkiness always loses out. I am occasionally superficial that way.

Headsets are REQUIRED in most states when driving. Plus its great to be hands free when you're trying to cook, write etc while on the phone.

Yup as well as nice music sounds .. Lolz

*Sympathy* When I have occasion to take the bus home late at night, there's always this one guy who's on the phone and he's shouting. Everyone else is trying to sleep, or quietly work on their laptops, or read, and no one can do because they're unwilling audiences to this guy's conversation.

On those few times I have occasion to be on the phone in public, I really try to put some distance between myself and anyone I might annoy. If on a bus, I try to keep it short and quiet. Just basic consideration, y'know?

It is kinda funny the way that cell phone headsets have got so small--heck, cell phones have gotten really small!--that you can't always see them and it's hard to tell that people aren't just talking to themselves. Gotta agree with that.

__________________
Nicole

lives connect : gold and razor wire : precious contact

Headphones:

* they are a must in driving
* sometimes used when listening to music
* it is comfortable to use the phone hands free

these are the things that i am thinking of...

Yup, here in NJ, headsets are required when driving. It's against the law to hold it with your hand. I think headsets are most useful for people in business who have to be doing something else with their hands while talking on the phone. It is strange, however, to see a person walking down the street talking to themselves becuase you can't see their headset!

I still don't like people yakking when they're driving - it's got to be a distraction, no matter what people say!