Why does a person talking on the cell phone annoy more than two people having a conversation (with the same amounts of volume and stupidity)?

I find loud conversations annoying regardless of whether they are talking on their phone or face-to-face.

Some people seem to underestimate the sensitivity of their phone’s mic and are more likely to talk louder due to some subconscious belief that a person that can’t be seen is far enough away to require more volume than one that is standing right there, but that’s been a thing longer than cellphones have existed. In fact, there was a time where technology was unrefined enough to make speaking loudly a necessity. Anyone who has ever used a sound-powered phone, the standard communications method on board Navy ships, knows that all too well.

I regard it as not a new problem, merely one that is more prevalent now that telephones no longer have cords and are cheap enough for practically everyone to have.

Because the slobbering troglodytes haven’t yet realized their phone has a better audio system than a Campbell’s soup can and a ball of string.

Maybe because on a subconscious level it seems as if they are talking to themselves, indicating mental illness, triggering revulsion towards things that are different/sickly.

I think because of what you said. People often are louder on the phone than when talking to someone in person.

It rarely bothers me when someone random is talking on their cell phone.

If it is a conversation where both people are in front of you, you can tune out the interplay between the two – the mind just figures out that they are making background noise, and that’s that.

When a person is on a cell phone, you can’t tune it out, because the person near you is responding unpredictably. So it’s a more jagged experience which you cannot tune out.

“Jagged experience.” That really sums it up @elbanditoroso. It’s not that I want to evesdrop, but when they’re in the booth right behind you it’s hard not to, and it’s disconcerting to not really understand what they’re talking about.

All the above!!! I LOATHE being forced to listen to people scream into their cell phones, no matter where.

It doesn’t. I have no idea why people get so upset at this. Maybe it’s because I’m from a loud, Mexican family. I admit it. We are loud, but not troglodytes. You can hear my aunt laughing from half way down the street.

I can’t really describe why it’s more annoying, it just is.

I’ve wanted to do this on many occasions.

Oh, that was excellent @WillWorkForChocolate! God. One time I was in a Dr’s waiting room and some lady was playing on her phone. Not a problem, except that every time she touched a key it went “Glurp!” “Glurp!” “Glurp.” People are stupid.

I find that bubble ring tone to be extremely annoying.

I’m sure everyone does. Why doesn’t the person creating it realize it?