What is it about mobile phones that turns normally-sensible people into boorish, inconsiderate jerks ?

You all know what I'm getting at - you're queueing up in the supermarket, and someone's phone goes off, usually that of the person just in front of you in the queue. Next thing you know, you're being subjected to one side of a tedious and pointless conversation, and they carry on yammering away whilst they're being served. They even take longer to pay up and pack their shopping, because they insist on talking away with the phone cradled on their shoulder !

On the other hand, I don't feel obliged to answer every call within three rings - I am not a call centre. If I'm in a place where it isn't convenient to answer a call, I'll either busy you out or let it go to voicemail - if it's important, you can always leave a message and I'll get back to you when I can.

This is not a difficult concept, people. The phone is there for YOUR convenience (unless it's a works phone you're paid to carry) and you shouldn't be a slave to it. Especially when you're crossing the road or driving a car !

Next peeve - camera phones. It is virtually impossible to buy a decent phone without a camera now. WHY ???

I already have a perfectly good camera - why should I be forced to carry another one around with me as part of my phone ? It only adds to the complexity of the phone, so it's another component that can go wrong, and the picture quality of most phone cameras isn't that great anyway. I guess I'm just not part of the demographic that considers these things to be "cool"...

The are other disadvantages to camera phones - there are places you just can't take them. Pull one out in the changing room of a leisure centre or a gym, and someone's bound to think you're a pervert - and if you go on (or even near) certain military sites with one, you'll be leaving without it, assuming you don't get arrested.

Ringtones. Don't even get me started about ringtones. We've already had enough of that stupid frog, thank you very much, but will you at least find a decent tune if you're going to use a ringtone ? I'm not impressed that your phone can play a pathetic bleepy rendition of the Thunderbirds theme - you paid decent money for that phone, at least try and find a ringtone that doesn't make it sound like a two-quid novelty greeting card !

Time for another peeve - SMS. It's great for simple messages, but when you start using it for long coversations, it's time to step away from the keypad. Why not just TALK to the other person, it might be quicker than fumbling away with the keys and a lot less tiring on your eyes !

As for using SMS abbreviations in e-mail and in written communication, get with the programme. It's NOT cool, and it makes you look like you're barely semi-literate. Unfortunately, the trendy marketing types have latched onto it, and now we see it everywhere...