This all stems from the influx of personal electronic devices (iPods, Cell phones, etc.) allowing people to have personal entertainment in public. The worst and potentially most dangerous is the iPod. When you are out in the world mingling with others, being able to hear things coming is paramount. Look at the number of people killed in accidents that could have been avoided if they could hear the danger approaching. Talking on the phone in your car is one thing, doing so in public requires discretion in order to be polite . The key word is polite. 20 years ago you could be away from the phone when you were in the restroom or on a train or bus, no longer.