Don't look at your phone...look at the ground!

[rcpratt]

My company recently decided that "walking and texting" is a plague upon humankind that will inevitably lead to death and the extinction of the human race.

To that end, they decided to create "SmartZones," an area which, in theory, one can stop and text, and, well, not be walking.

Today I saw my first SmartZone! Here it is:

So far, there are a handful of them. Basically, somebody saw a chair/seat/couch/seating device of some kind, and stuck a sign next to it. Highly effective.

But wait! As I walked (and texted) through that SmartZone, I see what appears to be small warning signs...stuck to the floor:

What? Don't do what? I craned my head down (in the path of moving traffic) to read the sign as I passed:

Yes. Do not look at your phone...look at the ground, dammit.

Common sense, I tell ya...

 

[JulesMaximus]

Except when driving... you can text away there because you're safe in your cage.

 

[Vdubchaos]

WOW

Your company has been invaded by smartphone zombies. Probably the kind of place i would NOT want to work at.

 

[Jodell88]

I remember when I could've typed a message one handed on my phone without looking at it.

 

[Drako]

We need those in the building were I work.

This morning I was waiting for an elevator to come down, and some jackass walked right into me. I should have elbowed him in the gut. Guy didn't even apologize - just kept walk-texting. 😡

 

[rcpratt]

WOW

Your company has been invaded by smartphone zombies. Probably the kind of place i would NOT want to work at.

I think it's more likely been invaded by bored corporate safety zombies.

 

[JTsyo]

I remember when I could've typed a message one handed on my phone without looking at it.

what happened? the hand get amputated?

 

[JulesMaximus]

I think it's more likely been invaded by bored corporate safety zombies.

It's all fun and games until someone falls down a flight of stairs or gets hit by a forklift because they were texting and not paying attention to where they were going.

 

[JulesMaximus]

what happened? the hand get amputated?

My guess is smartphone. They have no tactile feel whatsoever so you kind of have to look at it to text on it.

 

[rcpratt]

It's all fun and games until someone falls down a flight of stairs or gets hit by a forklift because they were texting and not paying attention to where they were going.

I hope it will be equally fun games when someone gets hit by a forklift (in an office?) while walking and reading a sign on the floor.

 

[Vdubchaos]

I hope it will be equally fun games when someone gets hit by a forklift (in an office?) while walking and reading a sign on the floor.

I say install spike wall/traps for these idiots!!!

They need to be eliminated :biggrin:

 

[Jodell88]

My guess is smartphone. They have no tactile feel whatsoever so you kind of have to look at it to text on it.

Yup, perhaps when one of those new fangled screens that raise up to form buttons are developed 20 years from now things will get better.

 

[NoCreativity]

I just love people who use their smart phone while walking. Nearly bumping into people/objects and walking at the brisk pace of 5 feet per minute. Oh and let's not forget the abrupt stop when they read something really good.

 

[nehalem256]

It's all fun and games until someone falls down a flight of stairs or gets hit by a forklift because they were texting and not paying attention to where they were going.

And sues. Don't forget that important detail.

I just love people who use their smart phone while walking. Nearly bumping into people/objects and walking at the brisk pace of 5 feet per minute. Oh and let's not forget the abrupt stop when they read something really good.

Or falling into a manhole. http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/07/girl-falls-into-manhole-while-texting-parents-sue/

Oh and then suing. :twisted:

 

[kranky]

I would be in favor of a ban on walktexting while in the office. Just step out of the main aisle for a minute, OK? We used to have a VP who never looked up from his phone if he was in a public area - I mean NEVER. It was his way of not needing to acknowledge any of the lower classes when passing in the hall. So he would walk at full speed with his nose in his phone and it was on you to avoid collisions, since VPs should not have to be disturbed from their texting trance.

And then came the fateful day. Some cubicles were being reconstructed and in the hallway there was a low dolly that had a file cabinet laying flat on it. And here comes Mr. Supertexter VP speedwalking down the hall. Hit that file cabinet knee-high and fell flat on his face right on top of it. Tore up his pants and gave him a black eye. Even after that he still kept his head down in the hall because he couldn't stand to greet anyone he passed.

 

[luv2liv]

"Apple picking"
im surprised it doesnt happen more frequently! i see kids walking mindlessly around with smartphones. they are such an easy target to snatch.

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/video?id=9054517

 

[Red Storm]

What's worse are people who just walk slowly in general. They don't have an excuse!

 

[Jodell88]

What's worse are people who just walk slowly in general. They don't have an excuse!

They're taking in the sights and sounds, or the warmth of the sun. Sometimes it's good to just take things slow. 🙂

 

[Red Storm]

They're taking in the sights and sounds, or the warmth of the sun. Sometimes it's good to just take things slow. 🙂

I meant inside buildings and office spaces. Outside you can easily pass them. 😛

 

[BurnItDwn]

I hate people who block me in the hallway.I don't care why they impede me, just that they impede me at all is problematic.