Everybody has their preferences I guess, but I couldn't disagree with you more. I think because cellphones are ubiquitous and used everywhere and always, silence and being able to not have to hear other humans talking on them for a couple hours is a small consolation.

Traveling is uncomfortable. Avoiding one aspect of that discomfort by allowing for some peace and quiet is a minor short term inconvenience for the few people that feel the need to talk on the phone around complete strangers. How about texting.. wouldn't that suffice? Then it would seem both parties could be happy... the callers could get their message across and those that prefer silence wouldn't have to hear it.