We've all had it happen. You're on the bus, or maybe in a crowded restaurant. Suddenly, the [Nokia/Cingular/T-Mobile] ringtone emanates from somewhere. Ten people (
or ten teens, as the case may be) reach into their pockets and purses, but only one emerges the lucky recipient of a phone call. Psychologists, anxious to get cracking on a therapy and medication regimen for the problem, have coined the term "ringxiety" to describe the phantom ringtone phenomenon -- the sensation that your phone is ringing when it is not. If we're to believe the quacks, ringxiety originates from an innate need to feel popular. When the
BUZR comes to fruition, we predict we're going to see just as many folks desperately avoiding phone calls at all costs.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Donald @ May 30th 2006 12:34AM
Poor fools who don't know how to make their own ringtones.
*Final Fantasy IV victory music* Oops, phone's ringing.
Jason @ May 30th 2006 1:03AM
I think "ringxiety" is a result of people not wanting to miss an important call, not necessarily wanting to be popular. I'm sure some psychologist will come tell me they're the same thing. I dunno.
For the record: My ringtone is a recording of my college's fan section cheering for our hockey team, which includes the f-bomb. Best ringtone ever.
Atanas Boev @ May 30th 2006 4:16AM
I think "ringxiety" is the topic of some poor PhD student in psychology who could not get funding for something better;)
As for my ringtone, it is a recording of the following:
man reading.....man relaxing.....man watching television with volume at zero.....man getting a bright idea.....dead insect......a swarm of dead insects....
(greetins to Terry Taylor)
Dan @ May 30th 2006 4:36AM
I would add another type - 'buzzxiety' - where you think that your phone is vibrating in your pocket when it actually isn't - happens all the time to me, and to a number of friends. Maybe this is some unknown radiation effect? ;-)
Yubastard @ Aug 12th 2007 10:26AM
ja! me too! but I also have a large subwoofer speaker box right behind my driving seat...soooo.... you know, I vibrate entirely every time I drive :D
Adam @ May 30th 2006 9:49AM
Donald
Since I am one of those, you know the ones who can't make their own ringtones. What do I have to do to get the Final Fantasy IV victory music ringtone from you for my RAZR from Cingular.
Thanks Adam
Jimmy C @ May 30th 2006 10:51AM
3 -- Agreed.
What is strange is that I'll be on the bus and hear a ringtone I used, say, three phones ago, and still go for my pocket. Pavlov, eat your heart out.
And if I ever come across someone else who uses the Bubble Bobble theme song as their ringtone, I'd like to take them out for drinks.
Will @ May 30th 2006 11:16AM
I have to agree with this. I would have to specify that this applies more to teens, than adults though. Although there are a ton of adults that have the mentality of a teenager. I can't go anywhere without seeing some snotty kid talking on their phone. In line at the store, before the movie starts, anywhere really. Since the kids like to include everyone in on their conversations, I can tell that they are not talking about anything important. It is teenage insecurity, and it manifests iteself in a phone. If we didn't have cell phones, it would be something else.
Corey @ May 30th 2006 12:10PM
"I think "ringxiety" is the topic of some poor PhD student in psychology who could not get funding for something better"
Exactly.
Jason @ May 30th 2006 12:54PM
#6 - Jimmy C:
I layered NWA's "Straight Outta Compton" over the Bubble Bobble theme once. I could use it as a ringtone if it means people (you) would buy me free booze.
Andrew @ May 30th 2006 1:09PM
-Adam
get motorola's mobile phone tools and a usb cable to connect your phone to your computer. you can also use bluetooth, instead of the usb cable, if your computer has bluetooth functionality. the software is very easy to use. with it you can download pictures from your phone as well as upload ringtones :-D. good luck
Josh @ May 31st 2006 8:42AM
So what's it called when you can't stand that guy on the subway blasting their "ring tone" just to hear the song over and over and over? Music on cell phones should only be playable through headphones!