subject: Basic Cell Phone Courtesy [print this page] Cell phones are wonderful devicesCell phones are wonderful devices. They allow us to communicate with people anywhere. They save us from emergency situations. Did you suddenly remember your mom's birthday while driving in the car? Greet her on your cell phone. Did you forget your laptop at home and need it for a work presentation? Call your spouse and have it sent to you. Did you get lost while hiking? Find a signal and call emergency services.
Mobile phones are pretty useful to us but how about other people? Did you ever wonder how your cell phone use form people's opinions? Or, put in another way, has a cell phone user really annoyed you when he brings out his phone?
You must have experienced these little annoyances. The man who talks too loud. The cell phone ring in the movies. The person who suddenly and without warning drops his conversation with you to answer a call. People like these are everywhere. One of them could even be you.
That's why everyone should follow basic cell phone courtesy. Their use, while important to you, can become annoyances to other people, when you do it wrong.
Here are some easy rules to follow when using a cell phone.
1. Be all there. Whenever you find yourself in a situation that requires focus, like a meeting, a courtroom, a performance, or driving your car. Let your calls go to voicemail to avoid a disruption. Or even turn your phone off.
2. Keep it private. Speaking into a wireless phone does not magically turn your surroundings into a private room. Don't discuss private or confidential information.
3. Keep your cool. Don't display emotion while taking a call in public, especially anger. Keep your voice well modulated in order not to embarrass or intrude on other people. If you must take an emotional call, find a place where you can be private.
4. Learn to vibe. Every phone on the market has a vibration feature. Use it to your advantage. Don't set the phone to ring when attending business meetings, religious services, schools, restaurants, theaters or sporting events. Mobile phone ring disruption takes away the enjoyment during these events.
5. Avoid "cell yell". Use your regular conversational tone when speaking on your wireless phone. Cell phones have sensitive microphones and ambient sound filters installed. There's no need at all to speak loudly, unless you just want to annoy people.
6. Follow the rules. If a place restricts the use of wireless phones, follow them. Those rules, which can usually be found in airplanes and hospitals, are there for an important reason.
7. Excuse yourself. Don't ignore the person right in front of you when taking or making a call. They are far more important than any device. Excuse yourself first before answering a call or dialing a number.
8. Send a message. Instead of calling, which causes disruption, use text messaging instead. Don't overdo it, however. Holding a text conversation on your phone while talking to someone else is rude. If the text messaging is going to be a regular occurrence, follow rule number 7.
9. Watch and listen discreetly. When streaming video and music, adjust the volume so it won't disturb others. Use earphones or headsets in order to avoid distracting others.
10. Spread the word. Discuss cell phone courtesy with others. Instruct them that there are wireless phone etiquette rules and teach them about it.
