If you walk around with a Bluetooth cellular phone earpiece ALL the time...

[Squatch]

well, I just wanted to take a second and say that you look fucking idiotic.



When you finish talking on a normal phone, do you go about your business with the handset taped to your head? No. So, having this ridiculous thing hanging off your ear while you buy your lunch in the cafeteria makes you look like a raging idiot.

(Coffee hasn't kicked in yet, so I'm feeling a little testy)

[warrior1]

1. You said it

I've got a co-worker that does this. I hate those things. I would think your ear would get sore from just having that thing in it all the time.

[FunkyLeprechaun]

18. I agree with you

I wear Cochlear Implants and 2 years ago I finally got one in my left ear (after nearly 10 years without a hearing aid there).

It gets sore after wearing it all the time. Then I see people wearing these bluetooth things... I'm like tut tut tut.

[JTG of the PRB]

42. I can't stand them either!

There was this guy who used to come into the hardware store I worked at. Every single time he came into the store, he had a stupid little bluetooth thing over his ear. He was also annoying and pretty creepy too. We got around to giving him the nickname "Spock." Whenever he'd come into the store, one he was out of earshot, I'd warn the rest of the people in the store that Spock had arrived.

Those things look beyond idiotic.

[graywarrior]

2. This will be a nice addition

Tobacco giants secret new weapon in the age of smoking bans

Cameron Houston
June 27, 2007

AS STRICT indoor smoking bans come into force across Victoria this weekend, tobacco giant Philip Morris has secret plans to launch Australia's first hand-held electronic smoking device, which it claims will reduce second-hand smoke by more than 90 per cent.

The controversial "Heatbar" is about the size of a mobile phone and is said to heat specially designed cigarettes without burning them.

Confidential documents seen by The Age reveal Philip Morris' marketing plan for the device, which it claims will usher in a "new movement in smoking, where art meets technology".

"The heating elements inside Heatbar respond when you take a puff," the documents claim. "The specifically designed cigarette is gently toasted and never burnt." And unlike normal cigarettes, the device is said to deliver an "aerosol which gives the consumer the flavour and aroma associated with smoking".

Philip Morris also says the device cuts harmful substances associated with cigarettes, including carbon monoxide. It will be sold from a concept store, The New Movement Tobacconist, to open in Chapel Street, South Yarra, and to be modelled on a similar outlet in Switzerland.

The move has provoked a furious response from Quit Victoria, with acting director Suzie Stillman urging the Federal Government to introduce a licensing system for all tobacco products. "Without this system, the tobacco industry will continue to use the Australian public as laboratory rats for their latest gimmicks," Ms Stillman said.

She said there was no scientific evidence to suggest that smoking cigarettes with the Heatbar was any safer.

Philip Morris patented the Heatbar technology in the US in 2004 and opened a "lounge-bar" by the same name in Zurich, Switzerland, last year. The venue sells and promotes the device along with four brands of compatible cigarettes named Jag, Drift, Muse and Solano.

It is believed the same four brands will be available at the company's Melbourne store.

Yesterday, Philip Morris spokeswoman Nerida White would not confirm if the device would be sold in Melbourne, but said the product had been discussed with the Federal Government. "I can't speculate on what we might be doing in the future, but I can tell you that when (the store) opens it will be selling Philip Morris brands and competitors' products too," Ms White said.

She said the the company, which sells more than 4 billion cigarettes a year in Australia, would gain a "first-hand insight into how retailing works" from its Chapel Street outlet, which was due to open by late July.

Cancer Council Victoria director Professor David Hill said the technology was part of the industry's long-term strategy to portray tobacco products as fashionable and desirable to the young. "If the proposal is indeed technically legal, Philip Morris seem to have issued an invitation to government to respond with appropriate legislation or regulation," Professor Hill said.

A spokesman for Victoria's Department of Human Services said any reform of tobacco regulations would be a federal responsibility.

Quit Victoria is planning a petition to pressure Stonnington Council to review the granting of a planning permit for the store.

A council spokesman said it was unable to revoke planning approval because the shop complied with guidelines.

[mikeytherat]

3. RJR tried this back in the late '80s - the Premier smokeless cigarette

It had little tobacco "pellets" in a tube that were not lit, but heated (sort of like a mini vaporizer). Not only was it hard as hell to keep "lit," it tasted like you were smoking a charcoal briquette.

mikey_the_rat

[FunkyLeprechaun]

20. What's wrong with snuff?

I'm not an advocate for smoking butt my smoker friends at a bar in Rhode Island got around the ban buy chewing snuff. It was really messy.

I've yet to see some snuff-chewers here in the UK.

[cboy4]

4. I know!! Why is it so irritating? It's not like it really affects

anyone else's lives, but you're right...there's something about it. LOL

I actually own the exact model, and tried to use once...but I threw it in the drawer where it continues to sit because using the phone just seems more simple to me.

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

5. People at my job wear those ...

Bunch of idiots because its obvious that you're going to talk on the phone when you're not supposed to , so you're going to mess it up for the rest of us who use our stereo headphones and tuck the mics in our shirts as a decoy :hide:

Its almost like they have become a status symbol.

[Danger Mouse]

38. status symbol...

got it in one!

[madinmaryland]

6. I personally prefer this model...

[BrklynLib at work]

17. ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

51. That picture just made my day brighter !

[Deja Q]

7. Wouldn't hackers try to exploit bluetooth for their gain?

I keep that shit turned off.

[Tripper11]

8. I have one for driving ONLY!

I enable it when I get in the car...disable when I get out. Simple. I have it set to auto answer so I don't have to fumble around for my phone and I don't even touch anything to disconnect. I let the other end make the disconnection.

[Tian Zhuangzhuang]

9. It does make it hard

to separate the sociopaths (corporate executives) and the schizophrenics (crazy people who naturally talk to0 themselves in public) :evilgrin:

[redqueen]

16. Hah... nice one.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

29. Well, the schizos usually don't wear suits. -nt

[lligrd]

48. Now I Never Know When Someone Says Hi

If they are talking to me or someone on the phone.

[pippin]

10. You don't get it . . .

people who do this think it signals to others they're a) cool or b) important . . .people are going to call them at any minute, or c)technologically advanced--"see I have the latest toy."

My guess is that the next generaation will be implants: phones actually implanted into you head.

Because these devices are often not immediately in evidence it's funny to see people walking around looking as if they're talkng to themselves. In which case they look like the demented loonies they are any way.:+

[southpaw]

11. I was so inspired by a coworker's bluetooth

that I blogged about it back in March... if you are interested:

_______________________________

There is nothing inherently wrong with Bluetooth hands-free headsets. In and of themselves they are non-offensive, beneficially making cell phone use more compatible with tasks like driving a car or working at a computer. This is what these devices were designed for, and they do their intended job quite well, as far as I know.


So why does it irk me so to see someone wearing their Bluetooth in the checkout line at Target? My issue is not with the hardware itself, but with the use of the device as a fashion accessory. Techno-Bling, if you will.


First of all, it seems clear that it is not the actual physical item that is fashionable. As ear decorations go, these things simply aren't attractive. You have to admit that even the most streamlined models are chunky pieces of plastic that cover a sizeable portion of the ear and protrude onto the cheek for an inch or two. Most emit an intermittent pulse of blue light, accentuating their distinctly 'techy' look and leaving no doubt that they are not jewelry, but utilitarian items designed to serve a purpose other than adding a touch of sparkle to the aural orifices of their host organism.


Picture someone you know or have encountered recently who sports their Bluetooth 24/7. Now ask yourself: would this self-important ass-hat be willing to wear such a conspicuous piece of technology on their head if it were, in fact, a hearing-aid? I'd bet you a few million of Dick Cheney's ill-gotten war-profiteered dollars they would not. Think about it… hearing-aid technology has reduced the scale of these highly beneficial devices to the point that they are invisible to anyone not peering directly into your ear canal. How many people have you seen lately wearing a conspicuously visible hearing aid?


This is not to say that people who wear their headsets compulsively are in need of a hearing aid… simply that these individuals clearly love to show off one type of electronic device that mounts on the ear, yet it's an easy assumption that, should they need it, they would opt for the most miniscule and undetectable model of a different but certainly more essential electronic device that mounts on the ear.


The dramatically different attitudes regarding two relatively similar pieces of hardware indicates a perceived difference in what each of them says about the wearer. Simply stated, a person wearing a hearing aid suffers from some degree of hearing impairment which the hardware corrects. By stating this fact, I do not imply that there is anything shameful about hearing loss. Those of you who know me require no disclaimer on my part regarding my attitude toward the hearing impaired. Those who would read anything I've written as denigrating to those who live with any form of impairment are strongly encouraged to choke on shit.


By contrast, the Bluetooth headset, when worn conspicuously and continuously, is clearly intended to convey an aura of importance: "I must always be available to the throngs of people whose very existence depends upon being able to communicate with me, yet I am so constantly busy that holding a phone to my ear is never a practical option." Indeed.


So what it all comes down to is not a matter of choosing to wear a utilitarian object as a fashion accessory. If you think appliances make fetching head-wear, then use your toaster's power cord as a chin-strap and enjoy all the attention your new chapeau will doubtless attract to you. Likewise, if rocking your Bluetooth whenever and wherever makes you feel important and in demand, then by all means indulge your little fantasy.


But please, don't mistakenly assume that a blinking bauble stuck to the side of your head raises you above the codes of mutual courtesy and respect that us plebes choose to extend to one another. Your little toy might make you feel like a CEO or a VIP, but that doesn't stop the majority of us from thinking you are an SOB.

And I mean that in the most gender neutral way.

[dembotoz]

12. the atttack of the Borg

Star Trek next Generation

[MorningGlow]

22. You mean this sexy look?

Only Picard could pull it off. Everyone else does look like a feckin' eedjit.

[pokerfan]

49. Only Picard?

[supernova]

13. We are the Borg... Resistance is futile

:D

I think they look dumb too.

[Whoa_Nelly]

14. Tried one. Can't wear any over the ear piece

My ears are too close to my head. They are so close, I can't even keep hair tucked behind my ears, and evenwearing glasses for too long (glasses and sunglasses) makes the area between the ear and skull really sore.

I used to have an over the head cell phone headset, but haven't been able to find one for the Samsung I now have. I do like using the hands free set up when taking road trips.

When I see people wearing those bluetooth devices, I always wonder why their lives, even if they are just shopping Target or the grocery store, has to be so wired in. Don't think I could ever be that tech-needy.

[supernova]

15. My ears are too small

for most of that stuff, even my iPod earbuds are too big. I'm thinking about finding some smaller ones.

[BarenakedLady]

19. I would be too embarrassed to use one.

[Ellen Forradalom]

21. There are a very few people for whom it is useful

And some situations where it's quite handy

In general they do look silly, but if a person wants to make the Borg fashion statement, it's his or her business.

Get some more coffee.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

23. This guy does it all the time

and he doesn't look idiotic (much) just that he and his whole family look like they are dressed up for Halloween every day of their lives

[Squatch]

24. Those glasses are an MP3 player (not a cell phone)

...which, IMHO, is even more ridiculous.

http://www.i4u.com/section-viewarticle-78.html

[QueenOfCalifornia]

25. oh

Idea for new thread!

[Gormy Cuss]

26. Eh, if it's not in use it's just a piece of ugly jewelry.

I'd rather see idle bluetooths than ones being used in places where people really can't multi-task as well as they seem to think they can.

[tigereye]

27. it has a very Borg like quality

I much prefer the Yale/MIT? Media Lab people wearing those little screens on their clothes and glasses.

[driver8]

28. I was thinking the same thing yesterday. I saw some moran get out

of his car at the supermarket with his freaking headset attached to his ear.

He looked like an idiot.

[caty]

30. I saw on 20/20 once

that 25% of the people we see talking on a cell phone are not really talking to anyone. They are faking it to look important. I think that the people who wear those earpieces all the time are doing it for the same reason. They must really have low self esteem.

[Deep13]

31. Agreed. Total fucking idiot. nt

[Initech]

32. I agree, I hate Bluetooth headsets. Technology gone berserk.

I've seen people in BATHROOMS talking on those fucking things. BATHROOMS!!!! :argh:

[mcscajun]

33. If figure they have this delusion they're Lt. Uhura on Star Trek...

and all hailing frequencies are open.

And I like ST, don't get me wrong, but when I see someone walking around with that in their ear constantly, that's the image that pops into my head. Meanwhile, I admit to owning one (not quite so obvious as the one pictured and which is extremely popular from what I've seen) but I only use it when driving, as we do have Hands-free cell phone laws in the Northeast.

[Mad_Dem_X]

34. I completely agree

I can't stand those things! Makes the owner look like an arrogant fuckhead.

[Burma Jones]

35. They're Cute

and you can use them to tell who's important/respected/independent enough to not have to answer their phone at all times......

One of my co-workers was wearing one......I asked him for a combo meal #2......

[Midlodemocrat]

36. They look idiotic. The only people I see with them are

people who are obviously attempting to impress everyone with how important they are. :eyes:

Guess what, asshat? NO ONE is that important.

[GRLMGC]

37. That reminds me of a graphic I saw on some website

"Don't be a Bluetool", underneath a picture of some guy wearing a Bluetooth.

[Danger Mouse]

39. if you walk around with a Bluetooth cellular phone earpiece ALL the time...

you are a fucking douchebag.

[MilesColtrane]

40. As George Carlin said in a routine...

...on bluetooth headsets: "Hey spaceman, since your hands are free, why don't you reach over and fondle my balls?"

[BlueJazz]

41. The funny part is these people try to act like they're "above the Pack" and...

..oh so important by spending $39.95.

I told one of my acquaintances "If you REALLY want to look Important, buy a Rolls Royce Silver Cloud...then people will be impressed".

[Mythsaje]

43. Oh, Christ...

So what?

It's just another geek toy. What is it with all these alleged "liberals" and judging people for stupid shit? And, yes, this is stupid shit.

Bleh.

[Omphaloskepsis]

44. What does "Being Liberal" have to do with this?

People who wear them look dorky. But hey, in comparison it makes me look better.

[Mythsaje]

45. It's geek bling...

Of COURSE they look dorky. It's to attract other geeks.

Of course, then again, a lot of people think I look like a geek because I wear glasses (can't wear contacts).

[Omphaloskepsis]

46. Yeah, glasses, those are geeky.

I was just saying that being a liberal still allows us to say that something looks stupid. Bluetooth headsets are leading the pack in dorkitude. Cell Phone on the belt clip are a close second.

[Mythsaje]

47. But neither comes anywhere close to the Star Wars tee-shirt...n/t

[NewJeffCT]

50. In a few years, nobody will notice it

because it will be so common...

[Clintonista2]

52. THANK...YOU

I see idiots wearing this thing all the time. I feel embarassed for them.

[dolo amber]

53. I work with a guy who has 2 of them at the same time, all the time...

his personal and business phones. :eyes:

I call him "The Borg". :D

[GoneOffShore]

54. I've never seen that.

I'd point and laugh, loudly.