Stop Yelling Into Your Cell Phone!

The other day, I had a working breakfast at my local diner. At the next table were four women having a quiet conversation when someone's cell phone rang (actually, truth be told, it was more of a meow sound than a ring).

I heard her behind me, answering the phone with a sonic boom of a "hello!" and she proceeded to have a lively fifteen-minute phone call. At the top of her lungs.

Her friends sat awkwardly eating their pancakes, unable to carry on a competing conversation, and many of other diners turned around to get a look at who in the world would be screaming into her phone like that.

And then, amazingly, when she finally hung up, she resumed her conversation with her friends, at a perfectly normal volume, as if nothing unusual had transpired.

What is up with the epidemic of cell phone screaming?

In just the past few weeks, I've been subjected to loud cell phone conversations of strangers talking about remodeling their kitchens, graphic medical details of a very personal doctor visit, and an estimate for cutting down a yard full of trees.

A couple of weeks ago, I heard all about a young guy getting thrown in in jail, including exactly what the bail bondsman required to get him out of the lockup, and how the family was going to lie to his mom so she'd nevert know.

I don't want to hear this stuff. Seriously, people, if I wanted someone else's drama, I'd watch a soap opera.

Why do people talk so much louder when they're on a cell phone?

Apparently, the answer is in the technology and what we hear (or actually don't hear) through the phone. Your home phone has a microphone in the receiver, so when you talk into the mouthpiece, you hear can yourself in the earpiece.

A cell phone doesn't do that, and apparently not hearing yourself in the phone makes you scream real loud, as PeeWee Herman would say.

No matter what the reason, though, it's not good.

And if you develop the habit of talking loud on your mobile phone, you could find yourself in some awkward situations that could even hurt your career.

How do you know if you're a cell phone screamer?

One clue is if people turn to look at you when you are talking on your phone in a public place. If they do, you're probably speaking too loud. If someone turns more than once to look at you, there's no doubt about it.

You can also ask your friends and family if they've noticed that you talk louder on your mobile phone. If they say yes, believe them and make adjustments.

How can you break the cell phone screaming habit?

First, admit that you do it, and pledge that you'll watch your volume when you're on the phone.

When you talk on the phone, consciously lower your volume and speak softly, as if you don't want anyone to overhear you, and ask the person on the other end if they can hear you. You'll be surprised how softly you can speak and still be heard.

Trust that the phone's technology is made to pick up and transmit your voice. It does not need you to yell in order to do that.

And if you're one of the people who actually likes people overhearing what you're saying, consider that speaking more quietly will actually make you look like you're talking about important things, and make you more interesting to people.

And that no one really wants to hear what you're talking about. Really, we don't.

Is there a silver lining for yelling into your phone?

Yes, apparently there is. A Korean team from Sungkyunkwan University have developed a technology actually lets you charge your phone by yelling into it. The louder you yell, the more it turns your sound into electricity.

It's not available yet (thank goodness), but I have a feeling when it is, the woman from breakfast the other day would be the perfect customer.

More about bad habits you can break:

• 7 Things to Stop Doing at Work
• Your Voice: Helping or Hurting Your Career?
• 10 Easy Steps to Overcoming Procrastination
• The Poison of Gossip at Work