How's Your Cell Phone Manners?

By: Azlan Irda

More and more people are forgetting about proper cell phone manners. I'm talking about the loud, boorish attitude that almost everybody carrying a mobile phone is becoming guilty of. No event is safe from the omnipresent ringing and annoying yakking; not even weddings, eulogies, and presentations. And I'm not kidding about this. A lot of people can attest to this sad fact. Executives, salesmen, doctors, lawyers, and priests know what I'm talking about.

From avenues to movie theaters, from classrooms to conference rooms, from restaurants to churches, boorish cell phone users can victimize you. It seems that carrying a mobile phone allows people to act like cavemen. I know a lot, and I mean a lot, of executives who have quite a few stories to tell about this attitude. One of my favorites is about a panel member who was in the middle of a presentation. His mobile phone rang and he just stopped right there and answered it! This is absolutely ridiculous, and needs to be stopped right now.

In a recent poll, majority of Americans agree that the worst habit of cell phone users is carrying out loud conversations in public. Furthermore, people get victimized by inconsiderate cell phone users at least once a day. But let us be clear on one thing. Cell phones are not the issue here. People are. Mobile technology is being abused all around us. It's time to take a stand against it. Here are some dos and don’ts.

Don’t take a personal call in the middle of a business meeting. This rule also includes meetings with co-workers or subordinates, and job interviews. You’ll be surprised to know how many job applicants flunk this one.

Do not subject others to your phone conversations. We do not want to know the humdrum details about your life. People around you should have the option of being spared. And remember to keep all conversations short and sweet.

Never hold a phone conversation inside arenas, elevators, libraries, places of worship, cemeteries, clinics, cafes, museums, or any other enclosed public spaces. Try also not to hold an emotional phone conversation while in public. If you really have to, use an earpiece in noisy locations, so that you can control the volume of your voice.

Don’t set your ringer to play Beethoven every time someone calls you. Do we really have to listen to this nonsense? Do try to be mature about this. Also, forget about multi-tasking with a mobile phone. Avoid making calls while buying groceries, jogging, waiting in line or doing other personal business. And one more thing. Tell everyone that you're now using improved cell phone etiquette, and ask them to do the same. It’s very important.

Technology and manners can live in peace together. Just ask the millions of Internet users, who’ve adopted the rules for email etiquette. You can always use the vibrate function, use voice mail, or go to a secluded area before making a call. All it takes is a little bit of consideration.

Niche Article Directory: http://www.thatsmyniche.com

Azlan Irda is the co-founder of AgeComputer.com, your cell phone superstore. Visit our website to find all the cell phones and accessories you will ever need.

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated