Ringtones?

It's the young kids, James. They like it and they outnumber us mature kids . When there's a demand, the big businesses aim to satisfy. The sad part is when the businesses create the demand instead of just watching out for it .

I experimented with other ringtones on my cellphone but settled for the good ol' telephone ring that I've come to love and cherish.

For text messages, however, I got one that says, "receiving incoming message" in some lady's voice. I recorded it off a video game and used it as my message alert tone. I've had these tones for close to two years and never bothered with any other ones.

I found it impossible identify my ring tone when between other users. I even answered my mobile when my land line rings. Luckily my phone came out with a tone called rooster.

So far I only saw smiles around me when my phone goes.

I follow you James. I don't even use ring tones anymore. Vibrate is THE setting on my phone. Besides, I hate it when cell phones go off in meetings, workshops, etc... It's too distracting for everyone else around.

I use multiple ringtones. Some are songs, some are noises. I have a phone that allows me to customize ringtones per contact, so I can tell who is calling without looking at my phone, which is icredibly handy when driving. Don't worry, I use a handsfree bluetooth headset. The real problem that I think you are complaining about isn't the ringtones themselves, but the rude behavior of people. I keep my phone on a very quiet setting, and on silent when applicable. I'm talking movies, dinner, common sense places that most people don't. Most people are so proud of the shiny new gadget they have, that they like to let everyone know not only do they have this little gizmo, but someone is calling them on it. Far worse than ringtones are the sub-human Nextel walkie talkie idiots who insist on having thier crappy phones on the highest volume and using speaker phone all the time. I've been forced to over hear more conversations than I'd like. Unfortunately, politeness isn't something that is taught very much any more.

Well said.

When one is having dinner with a loved one on a special occasion at a posh restaurant, other people's telephone interruptions are particularly offensive. Of course, these gadgets don't work when marinated...

It's pleasing to the ear to hear the sound of one of your favorite songs as opposed to the obnoxious tone of the "Crazy Frog" that comes standard on some phones. I think it's not a fad as that would indicate that it's a short-lived craze. It's here to stay so g'head and download your favorite song (I know they have plenty of Britney Spears for you!)

I'm with you on this.When I last up-graded my mobile, I asked 2 questions, can I talk on it? Will the battery last more then 5 minutes? After enduring...oh....25 seconds of sales talk, (I was a bit tetchy that day) I said in a loud clear voice 'It's a tel-e-phone, you talk to oth-er people with it!' Sheesh! Come on! We all did all right without them, and it wasn't so long ago, either.

Ha! I WISH it were only the young kids! More than once I have had to influence a colleague (some with threats of violence) to change their ringtones to something that doesn't grate on the nerves. (How many times in one day can one listen to The Archies' "Sugar Sugar"??!!)

No, unfortunately it's not only the young kids. "Your" favorite song is not neccessarily EVERYONE'S favorite song! I'm appealing to all my peers everywhere ... PUH-LEEEASE leave it on a non-song tone ... or on Vibrate. Manners! Manners, people. It truly IS annoying.

That's why my ring tone is a barking dog. If it goes off in a meeting, everyone starts looking around for the pooch. I'm told facilities still creeps through the building at night with nets, looking for that damn mutt!

On the other hand, I believe the Japanese have the right idea: areas of denied service. Go to a show, a movie, a dinner and no ringing phones. Why? they're all jammed!

Mine rings like an old dial phone, RING...RING...

After it is a phone and not an IPOD.

Songs as ring tones are dumb and annoying in my opinion.

The latest BS in having to listen to some Hip Hop crap "While the person you are calling is located."

This is set up by the person whose phone you are calling. I tell them get rid of that crap or I will not return your calls.

The worst thing is Bluetooth headsets in public places. Stand in line somewhere and listen to some phony wannabe talking to himself and then they turn and you see the headset. I now say very loudly, so the other person on the phone can hear, "Do you realize that about 20 people are listening to this conversation you are having with this butthead?" Yes, The one that is trying to show the world that he is important because has a Bluetooth headset. This usally earns a bunch of laughs and cheers from the other people that have had to listen this person.

Courtesy is Dead and Common Sense is not common anymore.

Was it the same for you when the ear piece was connected by a wire? Do you have this same problem with schizophrenics you meet on the street or do you seize-up when you can't see the ear piece?

By the way, my dyslexia had me thinking you were talking about "Ring Stones." I thought that would be a really interesting thread. Of course, this is the same problem that made me sell my soul to Santa.

If you can't beat'em, join'em. Try using polka music or Barry Manilow for your ring tone, and give these @$%&*#!!!! kids a taste of their own medicine!!!!

There are some lines even I won't cross!

Ring-tones? How about when you call some one, and you have to listen to some sort of music, of their choice, instead of old fashion rings. I told my sister that I would not call her again until she put her phone back to standard ringing. This is absolutely annoying.

Aren't these the same kids you and I raised to be "respectable" adults?

Respectable or respectful?

I was trying to find a single word that would generally describe all the qualities we would like to see in our children...a reflection of ourselves, yet independent.

They're just kids... It's in there job description.

I'm not actually moaning about kids, it's the alleged adults that wind me up! I mean, I'm as childish as the next man, it's just that the next man has a really, really stupid ring tone!

And how do you feel about car alarms? I see ya and I raise ya.

Are those the noisy things that everybody ignores?

They try to ignore, but if the owner doesn't appear soon, the whining is almost as bad as the alarm.