CELL PHONE ETIQUETTE

Seeing as this is quite a controversial subject about what is and what is not acceptable in terms of cell phone etiquette and safety, I have comprised a list of Do’s and Don’ts that I found on various websites that I feel we should ask ourselves or be aware of.  I thought it might be a good subject to share because I think maybe a lot of us have been guilty of violating one or more of the rules below at some time or another (I know that I have).

SOME THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:

• PLEASE SHOW RESPECT for THOSE THAT ARE WITH YOU……..if you are engaged in a conversation with others or in a meeting, give the speaker or person/persons your TOTAL undivided attention.
  
  
• I am sure that you have been with people and while you are trying to have a conversation, they are totally distracted with TEXTING. How can they possibly pay attention to what you are saying while having another conversation with someone else?  It is SO rude but some of us do it all the time.  If it’s really important apologize and ask permission before responding.
  
  
• DINING OUT…..Do try to be polite with your dining companion. No one wants to be an audience to a third-party conversation or to just sit in silence while their dining companion texts with someone.  This is totally unacceptable.  Always silence and store your phone before being seated. Never put your cell phone on the table (maybe just leave it in the car to resist the temptation).
  
  
• VOLUME OF VOICE………Please don’t yell. The average person talks three times louder on the phone than they do when having a one-on-one, face-to-face conversation.  Having loud conversations about nothing can be extremely annoying to other people. Always be mindful of your volume. (One of my worst) Lol!
  
  
• QUIET ZONE…. Quiet zones such as churches, theatres, funerals   etc. . . . . Please let your voice mail do its job. Turn your phone off or perhaps just leave it in your car.
  
  
• PUBLIC SERVICE……Please don’t make the staff wait. Whether it’s your turn in line or time to order, show respect and make yourself available to the server. The same goes for when you are in line when you are shopping. Making tellers wait for you to finish a personal call or text is both unacceptable and inconsiderate.  If it is so important, step away from the table or get out of line.

TO SUM IT ALL UP….. Here are some basic guidelines.

• TURN YOUR RINGER ‘OFF’ OR SET TO VIBRATE………..in the business world, incoming calls will be noticed (negatively) by co-workers and management.
  
  
• LET UNIMPORTANT CALLS GO TO VOICEMAIL…when you must use your cell phone; please find a private place to make your calls.
  
  
• DON’T BRING YOUR CELL PHONES TO MEETINGS…….unless extremely important. Then let others know that you are expecting an important call
  
  
• NEVER USE YOUR CELL PHONE IN RESTROOMS………. very uncomfortable, and can be embarrassing for others.
  
  
• ELIMINATE OBNOXIOUS RING TONES……Can be really annoying to others.
  
  
• MAINTAIN a LOW VOICE DURING CELL PHONE CONVERSATIONS……Other people most probably are not interested in your phone call.
  
  
• ONLY WHEN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY USE TEXT INSTEAD OF VOICE CALLS…Remember…people notice.
  
  
• FINALLY AND MOST IMPORTANTLY FOR EVERYONE’S SAFETY: PLEASE DON’T TEXT AND DRIVE……..There is absolutely NO message that is SO important. Just PLEASE look at statistics of DEATHS caused by totally irresponsible drivers who think that they are different and can multi-task at the wheel. If this seems to be a problem for you, then put your phone on the back seat to resist just responding to “this one” and think it is OK. (That is where I have to put mine).

IN CLOSING… Good cell phone etiquette is very similar to common courtesy.  Conversations and text exchanges have the tendency to distract people from what’s happening in front of them.  All of us should be thoughtful, courteous and respect the people that are around us. Remember too, that through most of our recorded history, the world operated very well without portable phones.

We are ALL human beings that sometimes do not stop to think of the consequences of what we are doing.

I hope that you have enjoyed this article and that we all can put this “Cell Phone Etiquette and Safety” to use in our daily life.   

About the Author

Marilyn is a native of England and came to this beautiful country in 1984 and quickly found her “expertise and passion” working in the Maritime Ship Repair industry. She became a US citizen in 1987, which has afforded her many opportunities to serve our country. Throughout most of Marilyn’s tenure (30 years) she has felt honored and privileged to be a long-standing part of the Ship Repair Industry, assisting with tradespeople to help repair Navy ships in order to help protect our troops in their difficult task of protecting our country. Marilyn proudly serves as Vice President with Seaside Staffing and joined her team in October 2010. She serves on the VSRA Communications, Human Resources, and Security Committees.

 

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