The Cell Phone Has Changed — New Etiquette Needed 585
CWmike writes to share a recent manners-rant that has some great gems about how not to be "that guy" on a cell phone. What rules of engagement are absolutely necessary and what social penalties should become standard practice for repeat offenders? "It's easy to be rude with a cell phone. A visitor from another planet might conclude that rudeness is a cell phone's main purpose. Random, annoying ring tones go off unexpectedly. People talk too loudly on cell phones in public because of the challenge of holding a conversation in a noisy environment with someone who's not present. Cell phones need their own rules of etiquette, or we'll descend into social barbarism."
Rules 1 through 7 of using a Cell Phone (Score:5, Insightful)
Cell phones cause car accidents all the time. Even if you think you're skillful enough to operate a cell phone and drive, doing so can be a role model for someone else who can't do the feat. My friend was even in a bad car accident last week where he says the other driver was on a cell phone. He had some broken ribs, a collar bone, and was pulled out by jaws of life.
If you get a ring, down answer it. Then find a pull off and call the person back.
Re:first rule (Score:3, Insightful)
Not just cell phones (Score:4, Insightful)
Cellphones only draw our attention because they're fairly new technology (compared to, say, pencils) and the offenses commitable with a phone can be extremely annoying and in some cases deadly.
This is a much broader topic if you take the time to look into it.
Phones. (Score:5, Insightful)
You don't need to yell into your phone. (Score:5, Insightful)
I've noticed that people needlessly talk very loud on celphones. People underestimate how well modern cel phones will isolate your voice from medium-noisy background pratter. People automatically compensate for the person not being in the room without even thinking about it.
If I'm in a public place such as a casual restaurant and I need to take a brief call, I answer in very low tones and the person on the other end can understand me just as well. My tone of voice is indistinguishable from other conversations happening in the area, and in fact is usually quieter.
Try it sometime as an experiment if you are used to speaking up on the phone, you'll find you can be heard just as well. I have a friend who literally doubles her volume on the phone. It's quite amusing and I have to remind her that she's doing it.
Also, if you have any kind of music as your ringtone (except for the harp sound on the iPhone) you should be shot. A phone should sound like a phone, not a disco.
Loudness (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:first rule (Score:5, Insightful)
It's not that they're talking on their cellphones that makes us say it's rude IT'S HOW THEY ARE YELLING ON THEIR CELLPHONES SO LOUD THE REST OF US CAN'T TALK TO EACH OTHER that makes us say it's rude.
Re:not sure which is worse (Score:5, Insightful)
So you've had run-ins with people offended by how you use your cellphone?
The last thing we need is yet another stupid rule to obey that does little but reward over-sensitivity.
The rules are already there. They always have been. They're unspoken, like most rules of polite behavior. People who break them are really never punished, just labeled "rude" and properly ostracized. Perhaps confronted, but you never know where the line between "rude" and "sociopathic" lies in any given person, and it's not always worth risking unprovoked assault.
Nope, I am forced to conclude that inappropriate and rude use of a cellphone is far worse.
Re:Rules 1 through 7 of using a Cell Phone (Score:5, Insightful)
Fully Agreed.
I saw this test (I don't know whether it was on Mythbusters or some other show or even on the internet) where they were seeing how well a driver can steer a vehicle while not looking out the front windshield. I believe it was mostly about people programming destinations into their GPS while driving instead of doing it before hand - so it could be a few more seconds and such.
Turns out, a LOT of people can't keep it within their lane after 2 seconds, and even the most skilled people (that they tested) couldn't finish programming the GPS to a destination without being 2 or 3 lanes over.
Part of it is that your natural motions with your other hand will subliminally affect the other. If you look right, your bound to slightly turn right, its habitual for just about anyone. So that split second you spent turning and grabbing your phone from the passenger seat could mean you just bumped into that guy beside you.
How about we use existing rules of etiquitte? (Score:5, Insightful)
"Don't be a loud, obnoxious asshole." Works for phones or any kind of conversation you're having in a public space.
"Don't drive like an asshole." Works for phones, texting, or just generally not paying attention to the multi-ton machine you're controlling while it hurtles down the road.
"Don't pull the asshole move of interrupting someone who is speaking to you by doing something else." Works for people who get a call in the middle of a conversation.
Really, "Don't be an asshole" is about all the etiquette we really need, and it's a lot simpler than trying to remember Emily Post.
Re:Rules 1 through 7 of using a Cell Phone (Score:5, Insightful)
They are in the same environment you are, and if need be, can stop you from doing something stupid.
Since they are in the same environment as you they tend to lull the conversation when you are at a physical location(eg an intersection) where you need to concentrate on not dying.
Your partner on the cell phone may very well be sitting in their house eating nachos and may start to engage you in a very involving conversation right as you pull up to the intersection, thus your concentration may not be where it needs to be.
Re:first rule (Score:3, Insightful)
My own theory on this particular rule is that it's made by people who are not annoyed by the half-conversation per se, but rather that they're the kind of person who likes to eavesdrop, and eavesdropping on half a conversation just isn't as entertaining.
Re:You don't need to yell into your phone. (Score:3, Insightful)
Also, if you have any kind of music as your ringtone (except for the harp sound on the iPhone) you should be shot. A phone should sound like a phone, not a disco.
IMO, I think Ringtones are the least annoying part about a phone, its just their volume that gets annoying. Much like someone talking too loud I don't want their ringtone to disrupt me either. However, if someone has a rap/punk/rock/pop/techno/classical/retro song for their ringtone, I have no issue with it whatsoever.
Then again - I'm sort of a people watcher. Sitting on the bus I'll look at people (trying not to stare of course) and figure out as much about that person as I possibly can. So if I'm in the middle of deciphering the style of a cute girl who is reading a teen novel, and her ringtone is Eminem's latest hit - I know that much more about her. I also know to avoid her in the future. =P
Re:Rules 1 through 7 of using a Cell Phone (Score:5, Insightful)
According to studies, talking on a cellphone is far more distracting than talking on a car. There are many theories as to why that is the case. The other person in the car is, well, in the car. They will notice the same dangers you will, and will start to fear for their own safety if you are too distracted. It takes more brainpower to decipher a phone conversation, with its dropouts, limited bandwidth, and lack of nonverbal cues. Those are the theories, but the facts remain: talking on a cell phone is far more distracting than talking with a passenger.
Re:Phones. (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:not sure which is worse (Score:1, Insightful)
So you've had run-ins with people offended by how you use your cellphone?
No. I have one, but it's for emergency use only. I'm far more concerned with social crusaders who want to reward oversensitivity with new conventions, or worse, laws. If someone's too loud on their phone, I ask them to keep it down. For the most part, I get immediate compliance. No need for new 'social etiquettes' (draconian nanny law).
Nope, I am forced to conclude that inappropriate and rude use of a cellphone is far worse.
You might, until some groupthink decides something YOU do is a 'threat' because they're too scared to ask you to stop/change it. Honestly, I'm not a fan of cellphones. I think they're trojans that get people used to the idea of nickel-and-dimed network services and surveillance, but that doesn't make me want to support a social crusade that rewards the insecure.
Re:first rule (Score:4, Insightful)
It's not that they're talking on their cellphones that makes us say it's rude IT'S HOW THEY ARE YELLING ON THEIR CELLPHONES SO LOUD THE REST OF US CAN'T TALK TO EACH OTHER that makes us say it's rude.
Try riding in a bus with college students or younger. The ones on their cell phones often are the ones who are being -quieter- than their peers talking to other people right next to them. I can only assume this is because they've become more adapted to talking on a phone than talking face to face.
From my experience, it's often the older crowd that is actually doing much of the cell phone yelling. Judging from my mother, at least some of them are yelling because they don't know how to turn their volume up all the way and/or don't realize that just because they can't hear the other person doesn't mean they themselves can't be heard by the other person. Which is unpleasant for me and anyone who is actually near her.
What I did... (Score:2, Insightful)
I held off getting a cell phone until 2005, when I fired the telco, transferred my number to a cell phone, and didn't look back. I have the following personal etiquette rules:
- I never talk on the phone while driving. If my phone rings while I'm driving, I ignore it.
- First come, first served. If I'm in a conversation and my phone rings, I ignore it, end of story. This has gotten me lots of weird looks at work: "Your phone's ringing, aren't you going to answer it?" "No; I was talking with you first."
- If I feel it would not be appropriate to answer my phone, I ignore it.
- If I'm not at home, the phone is set to Vibrate--or if I'm somewhere Vibrate isn't even allowed--Silent. End of story.
- I own my phone; not the other way around.
- These rules even apply if my wife is calling me, and she does the same on her end with her phone.
- If you have a true emergency and Absolutely Must Get a Hold of Me, call me over and over, and it had better fucking be important.
Re:Rules 1 through 7 of using a Cell Phone (Score:5, Insightful)
This is fundamentally incorrect. Talking with another human takes your brain to a place that's outside the car. The radio can do this too, but not to the same extent. And the difference with talking to someone who's in the car is obvious: Their life is in jeopardy along with yours. They are more sensitive to pauses in your speech (which can indicate personal danger for them) and most importantly, they're helping you look at the fucking road.
If you think talking on a bluetooth headset is better in some way than holding it up to your year, you're dead wrong and studies indicate this (a simple google should do the trick). About the only real difference is that holding it to your head slightly limits your field of vision. It's the conversation that's distracting, not holding up the phone. Sorry.
Re:first rule (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:You don't need to yell into your phone. (Score:5, Insightful)
IMO, I think Ringtones are the least annoying part about a phone, its just their volume that gets annoying. Much like someone talking too loud I don't want their ringtone to disrupt me either. However, if someone has a rap/punk/rock/pop/techno/classical/retro song for their ringtone, I have no issue with it whatsoever.
So, if someone's cell starts beltin' out Achy Breaky Heart, you do have an issue? Then J. Random OldDude probably has an issue with rap/punk/rock/pop/techno/classical/retro. Or one of those.
Besides, even if the ringtone is based on something I like, why is it a favor to me to hear a truncated, low-fidelity, looping fragment of it?
Sorry, a ringtone is a signal to the user of the cellphone that they have a call or message. Anything else is an abuse of the concept.
It is not a personal statement to every unfortunate within earshot, because in truth they don't give a rat's metric ass about you as a person, or about any statement you wish to make about yourself. You're a part of the scenery, and if your ringtone is loud, you're an annoying part of the scenery.
I'm 6'7" (2m to the US Customary challenged) tall, but I don't run around yelling I'm really tall. I like Metallica and Alan Parsons Project, but I don't blast either out of my cellphone. I really enjoy the occasional dram, but I don't slosh Laphroaig at folks with me at the bar because I think it's vitally important for me to make a personal statement about my superior tastes in whisky.
Sometimes I think the entire "Buy this ringtone and customize your phone to represent YOU" scam is one of the telecom industry's biggest worthless marketing success.
Ettiquette on public transport. (Score:5, Insightful)
Hey loud-mouth, damn right.
Stop nattering at 7am on the train when I should be in bed. Put your cellphone on vibrate and don't take calls. No loud music either, closed cup headphones or earphones are fine - but so help you if I can hear that the slightest tinny drivel.
Once you've learnt the art of not yelling at me when I'm forced into proximity with you, keep your arms on your side of the arm rest. Don't lean your elbow out and jab me. Sure as hell don't lean over and actually touch my upper arm with yours. This goes double for your legs. If you must use a laptop, don't keep poking me every few seconds when you try to hit the keys. If your size makes it impossible to sit on one seat: write to the train company and complain, do not force your disgusting fat body on other people. Get your damn luggage off the seat next to you and put it on the floor. If you must eat while sitting next to me (you really don't by the way) make sure it doesn't stink. Fish? No. Eggs? No. Samosa? No. No. No. Food aside, make sure YOU don't stink: showering and deodorant are not optional if you use public transport. It is absolutely not OK force people to smell you. Keep yourself to yourself, do not acknowledge anyone and DO NOT MAKE EYE CONTACT.
Unless you're a girl? Then you're all good.
Re:first rule (Score:5, Insightful)
1. It is NOT rude to talk on your cell phone in a public place eg on a train or bus or w/e. just like how it isnt rude to have a conversation with a real person there. It pisses me off that on some busses I take they say "please dont use cellphones, it may disturb others" when it doesnt say "people dont talk, it may disturb others". in fact, on a phone there's less talking to be disturbed bya s thre's only 1/2 the conversation.
You are completely, absolutely, positively 100% incorrect. Studies have been done to prove it. It is WAY more irritating when you can only hear one side of the conversation, irritation amplified by the need that people have to raise their voices on a cellphone since they don't have the feedback that old analog landlines had. If you're not irritated by Incosiderate Cell Phone Man, you, sir, are in a small minority.
Incidentally, from TFA:
* 1. Lower your voice when taking calls in public.
* 2. Avoid personal topics when others can hear you.
* 3. Avoid taking calls when you're already engaged in a face-to-face conversation.
* 4. If you do take a call, ask permission of the people with you.
* 5. Avoid texting during a face-to-face conversations.
* 6. Put your phone's ringer on "silent" in theaters and restaurants.
* 7. Don't light up your phone's screen in a dark theater.
* 8. Hang up and drive.
* 9. Acknowledge the delay
* 10. Don't use Google Voice call screening with family and close friends
* 11. Don't blame the other guy for a dropped call
* 12. Avoid looking things up during a conversation
* 13. Be mindful about Facebook tagging
* 14. Avoid inappropriate profile pictures
At first glance I thought this article would be stating the obvious, but it's got some good stuff when you get past 8. Acknowledging the delay and reassuring the other person that you're not talking over the top of him is a great start, although I must say I haven't had that problem so much since I switched from Verizon. The delay on that service was so bad I ended up dreading every call.
Re:Rules 1 through 7 of using a Cell Phone (Score:5, Insightful)
But most people will say "Most people overestimate their skills, sure, but not me."
One man's stupid rule is another's etiquette (Score:5, Insightful)
You live in society, you follow society's stupid rules. Like, you know, wearing clothes, not stinking up the place, pooping only in designated areas, and so forth. We don't need any new rules to cover cell phones: we already have the rule to cover this: don't talk loudly in public places. You see, quiet is a shared resource. If you use up all the quiet, there is no quiet left for anyone else. That's stealing, and stealing is wrong.
Now, I will agree that taking a loud talker's cell phone and jamming it up their rectum is probably an over-reaction, but it really depends on the situation.
Re:Phones. (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Rules 1 through 7 of using a Cell Phone (Score:3, Insightful)
I second this. It's an especially bad idea when frustrated, as anger easily makes one unfocused on anything but the problem. I've had a few near-hits because of this, and I'm a pretty good driver.
Heck, with the amount of capabilities phones are having nowadays (and the increasing prevalence of unlimited text/minute bundles), even walking while using the cell phone is dangerous. I've lost count of the amount of time I've almost ran into someone or something simply because I wasn't looking up.
Re:Not just cell phones (Score:4, Insightful)
Car Stereos I think win the rude device award. If I can hear your stereo in my car with the windows up, ac on, and over my stereo it is TOO freaking loud.
Throw in playing songs with R rated lyrics so loud that you can not escape the strings of profanities and you have a recipe for bad manners.
Re:first rule (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Rules 1 through 7 of using a Cell Phone (Score:1, Insightful)
Interestingly enough, I came to basically the same conclusion as this. No studies needed. I just sat down and thought about it a bit and realized it. I knew that whenever I'm talking to somebody in the car, everything is usually fine. So, why not a cellphone? I thought about the difference and came to the conclusion that the passenger in your car will STFU if road conditions warrant it. They can also tell (via body language) when you're not paying attention to them, so they pause until you can give them your attention again.
So, I decided to try this out for myself. The next time somebody called me on the cellphone, I would pretend they were in my car as a passenger (this takes a bit of a mental leap to perform, but it's not too hard to do). I found that in all situations where I need to devote my full attention, the person on the phone continued to talk instead of shutting up. Ah ha!
This is basically what my side of the conversation looked like:
"Hello"
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
"Oh hey, how's it going?"
"Not too much, just driving to the store."
"I'm sorry, what was that?"
"Could you repeat that?"
"What was that again?"
(frustrated by conversation now)
"Tell you what, I've give you a call back once I get done driving."
Re:Rules 1 through 7 of using a Cell Phone (Score:5, Insightful)
Solution: Ignore the phone while driving and call back when at your destination.
Quicker Solution: Answer, say "Hold on for a second", ignore phone until you are safely pulled over somewhere.
Really, answering the phone is always in your power - and missing a phone call is not the end of the world. Driving the car is the driver's responsibility as well. We can't have excuses on either one, the buck needs to stop at the person with the power to make those decisions.
Comment removed (Score:5, Insightful)
Here's a few (Score:4, Insightful)
When checking out at any store, do NOT ignore the cashier while talking on the phone. The rest of us would like to check out as well.
When talking and pacing, try not to trample people around you.
If you're talking to someone in person and get a phone call, either politely end your face to face conversation or tell the caller you'll call back later. Do not put the actual person in front of you "on hold" and expect them to just stand there while you shoot the bull with your buds on the phone.
Do NOT expect to have privacy while yelling into your cellphone out in public. If your conversation is not for public consumption, go somewhere private. If your side of your "private" conversation suggests that you have the clap, I reserve the right to point, laugh, and make snide comments to my friends.
Re:Rules 1 through 7 of using a Cell Phone (Score:5, Insightful)
Just because X% of people who don't pay attention are on cell phones does not mean that the problem is the phone. The problem is people who don't pay attention to the road and who think the phone is more important than driving.
Got to disagree with you here--the phone is the problem.
I'm a commercially-licensed professional driver, by definition more rigorously trained, more experienced and held to a higher standard than the average driver. None the less, I've found that I can get distracted by a cell phone call no matter how hard I try to pay attention to the road. In fact, I will no longer use my cell phone while I'm driving a commercial vehicle and even in my personal vehicle will only answer calls if I can pull over safely within a few seconds of taking the call.
You may think you can use your phone safely while driving but you are wrong and your argument sounds a lot like those I've heard from people who claim to be able to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Don't kid yourself; pull over before you use your cell phone in the car.
Re:first rule (Score:3, Insightful)
Speaking loudly to someone next to you is also rude. This doesn't mean that speaking loudly into a cell phone is not rude -- and despite what you think, you're *probably* talking loudly. More so than you would on a land line. I don't know whether or not it's necessary, but I think this a natural function of modern cell phones: your mouth is several inches in front of where you assume the mic to be - where it would be for a land line. Maybe kids growing up on cell phones now won't have this problem ...
That aside, let's say it's not so. Let's say you are the one in 100 exception. It's also rude in a completely different way. Instead of having a conversation with somebody next to you, you're talking on a device that everyone around you *knows* is sensitive to sound. By the simple act of speaking on a cell phone, you oblige them to become quiet if they don't want to be "rude" and interfere with your conversation. Placing that kind of social obligation on someone is rude, no matter whether you're talking loudly or not.
It gets even worse if you're engaged with someone. Your phone rings while you're int he middle of a conversation - and like a well-trained dog you salivate ... erm, answer at the sound of the bell. Now you're sending a clear message to the people you had previously been speaking with: "This conversation you are having with me is far less important to me than what this faceless stranger has to say. Now sod off and be quiet while I talk to said stranger."
Re:Rules 1 through 7 of using a Cell Phone (Score:3, Insightful)
Or, perhaps just as important:
Be willing to toss the phone/headset/whatever into the seat beside you if driving conditions dictate that you need more attention than you have available.
So what if it's rude? You'll have plenty of to explain your behavior later, after you're someplace more safe/less hairy/stopped. My boss, and my own clients, would much rather I do this and still be able to solve their problem, rather than wind up dead or hospitalized or even just distraught following a collision.
Re:Rules 1 through 7 of using a Cell Phone (Score:2, Insightful)
What gives you the idea he wasn't aware of the person coming his way? Normal people don't jump into the street to avoid being within arms reach of other people they pass.
Re:Rules 1 through 7 of using a Cell Phone (Score:5, Insightful)
the goal here is to avoid being distracted when you are driving.
finding your phone, looking at it enough so you can find the "answer" button, maybe needing to unlock the phone first or flip it open, then holding the phone close enough where there person can hear you say "hold on" is not a solution.
and don't give me a bunch of hoopla about how advanced your phone is hands free and you can answer it simply by thinking about it. not everyone has that feature. the vast majority of phones requires you to press a button to answer.
the OP had it right. just don't answer it.
Re:Rules 1 through 7 of using a Cell Phone (Score:3, Insightful)
What makes you think the obstacle course WAS artificial? Or that subjects weren't allowed to drop the phone?
Your anecdotes are not data. Your feelings are untested, and not a reliable guide to what is more distracting and what is less. Sorry, but I'll take science over anecdotes any day.
Re:Phones. (Score:5, Insightful)
Because of the bright moving light in my peripheral vision, you self-absorbed shitbag.
Re:first rule (Score:4, Insightful)
You may also observe that most complaints against impoliteness can be answered childishly with "boo hoo." Whether you agree or not, etiquette is based on other people's feelings, so if your behavior is bothering other people, you are in fact being rude. We're not talking about a moral failing, but a social one, like slurping your soup or writing your email in caps.
If your instinct is to answer "boo hoo" to these complaints, then etiquette is simply not for you.
Re:Rules 1 through 7 of using a Cell Phone (Score:5, Insightful)
The ratio is over 50% of people that really should not have a license.... but here in the USA it's a god given right!
Well, we don't have the mass transit that countries with stricter driving laws do. And we can't, economically, because we are so spread out. So what's the answer? Do we relocate everyone into cities where there's mass transit? Build mass transit to every tiny town in America, and damn the cost? Shoot people in the head when we take their license, because honestly it's better than letting them starve to death? You take away the license of fifty percent of Americans and what will you do? I mean, I kind of agree with you, many people shouldn't be driving and we pay a 55,000 person a year toll in deaths from accidents. But what's the alternative?
Re:first rule (Score:3, Insightful)
Does anyone know why mobile phones have so little feedback compared to most landline phones? Is it a technical obstacle, or do manufacturers just do it for the hell of it? If it's such an important issue, why do we still get it so wrong?
Re:Texting taken more seriously now (Score:1, Insightful)
Voice calls are not immune either - I cant call someone out of the blue for a chat, before I could but now they assume there is something wrong with me if I do that. In the early 00's I could call people and talk about an hour and they'd think nothing of it. Now its common to text before call
Really? Where does this happen? Back in my neck of the woods they'd call me stupid for texting to ask permission to call (and I'd be glad they did, even).
Re:Rules 1 through 7 of using a Cell Phone (Score:4, Insightful)
"I mean, I kind of agree with you, many people shouldn't be driving and we pay a 55,000 person a year toll in deaths from accidents. But what's the alternative?"
We could actually teach people how to drive. And actually evaluate them properly. I probably had a fairly rigorous drivers ed course and drivers exam (for the US) and it wasn't very good.
On the teaching front. Teach the rules, both written and unwritten (obey the speed limit but also don't impede traffic, for instance). Teach them how to actually control the car, especially in emergency situations. A basic driving school. Put them in real traffic and correct their errors. If they do something deliberately unsafe fail them and make them start over. Then evaluate them in a similar situation. The crappy drivers in this scenario would be better than most drivers today. People would take driving a bit more seriously because it would cost real money to get a license.
We could also enforce traffic laws differently. Penalize things that are actually dangerous rather than things that are easy to ticket.
One more thing: (Score:3, Insightful)
Running a business? Operating a counter? The person you're talking to across the counter is 100x more important than anyone who calls you and they were there first. If the phone rings, either someone else should answer it (preferably elsewhere), or your answer is: Hi, this is Leroy. I have a customer at the counter. You'll be on hold for a while, or you can call back, or come on down. [click]
Re:first rule (Score:1, Insightful)
It's not just that, but when you hear two random people in a conversation, it's pretty easy to filter out without thinking about it. For me it's hard to ignore 1/2 of a conversation because that filtering part of my brain keeps saying "hey, that person is saying things/asking questions and no one is responding, could they be talking to me and I wasn't paying attention?". Even though I concsiously know they aren't, as soon as my attention wanders I seem to have to go through the same thing again, forcing me to actively ignore a person rather than passively.
Re:Texting taken more seriously now (Score:5, Insightful)
Now its common to text before call
Move. I've never heard this before, and it strikes me as the dumbest thing ever, unless it was created as an artificial meme by the phone companies (because the margin on text messages is almost 100%).
Re:Rules 1 through 7 of using a Cell Phone (Score:3, Insightful)
Obviously you will never get mass transit and bike infrastructure comparable to e.g. Scandinavian standards all over the US. It will never be economically feasible to do in places like Nebraska or the Dakotas. But, it is all the metropolitan areas, like New York has started doing with bike paths.
It is a question of priorities. Only 3000 people were killed in the 9/11 attacks, yet you have spent close to 1'000'000'000'000 dollars fighting a rather pointless war in Iraq. If that amount of money had been used on infrastructure or health-care reform a lot more lives could have been saved.
What I find really odd as a foreigner is the strong emphasis put on being a devout Christian by Americans. Yet at the same time espousing values that are diametrically opposite to those championed by Jesus. And, it seems to be strongly correlated, so that the most bible-thumping southern states are also those most in favour of war and least in favour of a health-care reform.