[RaggedyAnn]

I have one professor that saw someone take out their phone during a test. She walked right up to them and told him to pack up. He failed the exam. He said he was just checking the time and she said no exceptions. I told you not to take out your phone. Another professor kicked a girl out of class permanently for texting. She failed the course. The prof (who I was talking with in a more casual setting) said she went to the dean to make sure this girl can't appeal.

I find the whole thing rude. If you can't bother to be there to pay attention, why be there? If your body is there, but not your mind, shouldn't the professor be allowed to mark you absent? That's why they have "participation" points. We actually had this discussion in one of my classes on Wednesday about cell phone etiquette. I guess the prof got sick of the texting, so she worked it into our ethics lecture.

I also find it rude to be at a register or taking up someone else's time with cell phone talking. I will never forget the time I was asking for help at Babies R Us and my phone started ringing. The saleswoman asked if I was going to answer it. She was shocked that I was curtious enough not to answer it while she was helping me.

There is an off button for a reason.