Mobile phones are as much of a curse as they are a blessing. They’re a modern drug that millions of us are addicted to, and if asked whether we could live without our mobile phones, just like any addict we would tell you in all sincerity that we could give it up in a heartbeat if we wanted to. But like other drugs, there is a consequence of widespread mobile phone use that society is finding more and more annoying… the ringtone.
The general rule of thumb that I have come to notice is that someone with an obnoxiously loud and intrusive ringtone is likely to pay little attention to their social surroundings when they get a call. They will take all calls then proceed to talk loudly and completely uninhibited broadcasting details about who is doing what with whom to anyone within earshot.
Using a mobile phone in a confined public space is fast becoming as frowned upon as smoking which at one time was an entirely acceptable habit to indulge in public. People would light up on planes, trains, buses, and subways, puffing away to their heart’s content while those around them who had chosen not to take up the habit breathed in their fumes. The smoke that drifted through the shared air of public spaces years ago has today been replaced by the one-dimensional chatter of mobile phone conversations, and while the ‘he said, she said’ exchange might not shorten your life or lace your clothes with an unpleasant odor, too many it is no less annoying.
In an effort to be as unintrusive as possible I went in search of a simple ringtone for my mobile phone as those that came with the phone all sounded like some cheesy breakfast TV theme tune. I wanted a simple ‘standard’ ring. I didn’t feel the need to have the latest chart-topper crackle over my phone’s little speaker, and anything like the annoying (and “so last year”) ‘crazy frog’ ringtone would simply never cross my mind. It sounds simple enough, but after wading through a number of heavily ad-laden websites that flashed and flickered at me like cheap disco lights at someone’s fourth time around wedding party, I decided to create something myself from my iTunes library.
In the end, I looped the beginning of a track called ‘Cutup piano and xylophone’ by Fridge. The resulting ringtone is, in my opinion, neither obnoxious nor intrusive. I do have a couple of other ringtones for specific people, one is the ringtone from the TV show 24, and the other is the comical (and yes, obnoxious) ringtone that Orlando Bloom’s character had in the movie ‘Elizabethtown.’ But regardless of my ringtone, I do try where possible to be a considerate mobile phone addict, and yes I can admit it, no matter how much I wish I could kick the habit, when it comes to the mobile phone I am indeed an addict.
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My ringtone
Extremely obnoxious ringtone
24 ringtone
Fridge : Cutup piano and xylophone (complete track)
Wrote the following comment on Jun 26, 2007 at 4:47 pm
It really does annoy me these days with people and mobile phones in public. The ringtones that they have are not really what I have an issue with it is more the fact that people answer to phone over speaking to you.
About 6 years ago when I was working at a checkout for a popular store on the high street, people used to come through the checkout and their phone would ring. Even if I was busy telling them the amount of asking them a questions they would answer the phone, struggle to pay and sign their slip with one hand and then have the nerve, once they had hung up, to say “really sorry about that”. If they were that sorry then they wouldn’t have answered the damn thing in the first place!
The other thing about phones that annoys me is the ones that have the speakers on them (like mine actually!). Youths with clothes 3 or 4 sizes too big for them seem to insist on having what I can only describe as ‘gangster’ rap style tunes booming out of them at loud volumes. I was walking around the supermarket the other day when one individual of the style outlined above was doing just that. Had the thing round his neck as was louder than an old ‘ghetto blaster’ used to be. Everyone was looking at him and he was oblivious to the fact that he was causing a disturbance. Unbelievable. People today!
That said I love my phone and the fact that I can communicate on the go. I don’t use it often but they are a great gadget when used with discretion.
Wrote the following comment on Jun 26, 2007 at 7:31 pm
Can I get that Grey Sky Blue ringtone! LOL! I love it!!!
Wrote the following comment on Jun 26, 2007 at 7:50 pm
simon… leave it to you to create a strictly synthesizer ringtone lol!
So, its wrong to answer your phone in tight spaces? That must be an english thing as i dont see that phenomena you and mark seem to understand. Probably because in Texas we dont really have tight spaces… well.. and we’re a little more friendly in public so i guess its more expected we’ll answer our phone. That’s my theory. You see people talking on their bluetooth’s everywhere here… its just expected.
On another note, Come one mark! i love the gangsta ringtone! when done appropriately. If your mobile is crackly… its a nogo- but if its clear, it should add some flavor to your day. Next time, try singing along with it..lol!
Wrote the following comment on Jun 26, 2007 at 9:03 pm
Never mind crackly my mobile is cracked. Take a look!
Wrote the following comment on Jun 26, 2007 at 10:18 pm
I think the U.S. lags behind Europe where mobile phone are concerned. I have always felt that, so just you wait Rachel, there will be a backlash at mobile phone use.
As for getting the ‘Gray sky blue’ ringtone Heidi, the link is there at the bottom of the post. Feel free to download it.
Wrote the following comment on Jun 27, 2007 at 3:38 am
ryc: did you even read my post? Go to Hooters when you get here and tell me what you think. I already know what you think about porn. lol that was a joke.
ringtones….I text more than I talk but my ringtone is Blue October-Into the Ocean.
xang bang 07-hrmm will there be an 08? I shant make it this year ;)
Wrote the following comment on Jun 27, 2007 at 10:41 pm
That’s a nice ringtone. I’ll admit, I’m one who has songs for ringtones, but I’m not very loud when I’m on the phone.
Wrote the following comment on Jun 28, 2007 at 2:02 am
you really make an art of blogging.
Wrote the following comment on Jun 28, 2007 at 5:09 pm
Thanks Marcie :-)
Wrote the following comment on Jul 10, 2007 at 5:37 pm
How can i download the elizabethtown ringtone??
I know you said there’s a link at the bottom of the post – do you mean when it opens up into quicktime player??
How do i download??
Please help…. :(
PS- loving the blogs by the way!!
Wrote the following comment on Jul 11, 2007 at 6:36 am
Yeah, that’s the link I meant. I think if you right click it (or contril click on a Mac) you can download it as an MP3 to your computer then bluetooth it to your phone or however else you transfer sound to your phone.
Wrote the following comment on Jul 11, 2007 at 10:35 am
Hey thanks alot!! muchly appriciated!
Wrote the following comment on Jul 17, 2007 at 5:04 am
Not all tones are bad, I have the intro to “In The Dark” by Tiesto as my tone… although my message tone is Borat… But now it will all change because I’ve downloaded those tones… Yes, I am annoying :o)