Using speakerphone for a casual conversation in public is the ultimate social crime.
By @maraok2 · Hot Takes
I don't care if it's your mom, your best friend, or your boss. If other people are around, put the phone to your ear or use headphones. Nobody in the grocery store needs to hear one side of your planning session for brunch.
The full story
This isn't a hot take, it's just a fact. I was at the pharmacy yesterday, a place that is supposed to be relatively quiet, and this woman was just strolling down the aisle having a full-volume conversation on speakerphone. It wasn't an emergency, it wasn't a quick 'hey I'm here' call. She was just chatting, laughing, and forcing the entire aisle to be a part of her call. It's the height of main character syndrome. It implies your conversation is so important that everyone in a 20-foot radius should have to stop what they're doing and listen to it. The rest of us are just existing, trying to pick out toothpaste or whatever, and now we're unwilling audience members to your drama. Headphones were invented for a reason. Your car has bluetooth for a reason. There is literally no excuse for this in 2026. It's rude, it's invasive, and it's just bizarrely unaware.
How people voted
- Valid Take — 39% (43 votes)
- I’m Torn — 38% (41 votes)
- Bad Take — 23% (25 votes)
Readers are split: “Valid Take” leads with 39% — 109 votes and 5 comments so far.
What people are saying
@sortaright — Couldn't agree more, it's one of my biggest pet peeves! People have just forgotten how to act in public.
@ashmaybe — I'd start following her around the store and answering her conversation for her. Let's see how much she likes an audience then.
@noelmm — Did you consider just politely asking her to take it off speaker?
@inesish — It's a complete lack of situational awareness, nothing more and nothing less.
@karalol — Is it possible she had a hearing issue and this was the only way she could take the call?
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