In our 24-7 instant communications world, we carry our cell phones with us everywhere. And, some of us even have our phones on our nightstands in our bedrooms- with the pretense that we use it as our alarm clock. Everywhere you go you will hear someone’s cell phone ring or beep, be it at a wedding, a funeral, while you are shopping, in the restroom, at job interviews, and doctors’ offices. No place is exempt.
Recently, I was having dinner with my family and I noticed that everyone had their cell phones in their hands. Some were checking business e-mails, others were texting to their friends and another was deleting messages. I decided that I would see how long it would take before someone started a conversation. Well that person turned out to be the server asking us what we would like to drink. Ok, everyone did put down their cell phones and ordered their drinks, but as soon as they placed their order they went right back to their cell phones. Did we start a conversation? NOPE. So, not being bashful, I started the conversation and asked why did everyone feel that they had to pull out their cell phone as soon as we sat down?
Needless to say, I got “the look” from my niece. The look didn’t stop my ranting about how rude it is to go to a family dinner and no one talks because everyone is using their cell phone. Seven out of 10 Americans stated that they observe poor cell phone etiquette a least once every day according to a market research by Synovate.
So are there cell phones manners? You bet there are. Emily Post has put together, Top 10 Cell Phone Manners. Here are a few that I have passed on to my family.
- Be courteous to those you are with; turn off your phone if it will be interrupting a conversation or activity
- If it must be on and it could bother others, use the silent ring mode and move away to talk
- Don’t text during class or a meeting at your job
- Never drive and phone at the same time
In addition to the Top 10, here are a few more points to ponder and determine if your cell phone manners need to be cleaned up.
Take it outside
If you receive a phone call and you must take it during a meal at a restaurant, go outside, or at least away from the table. Your tablemates and those around you really don’t care what you have to say. Maintain at least a 10-foot zone from anyone while talking.
Use your inside voice
We all do this. Our voices automatically go up a few decibels when we get on a cell phone. Remember they can hear you in your normal voice. And, if you have to scream, maybe you should text the caller and tell them that you will call them back when you are no longer in a crowd so that you both can hear each other. According to the Synovate research, about 72% of Americans agree that the worst cell phone habit is having loud conversations in public.
You’re welcome
How many times have you been on your phone walking through a door at your office or a business and someone holds the door open for you, don’t forget to acknowledge them and at least mouth “Thank You.”
Grow Up
Don’t use loud and annoying ring tones that destroy concentration and eardrums. Remember you are a professional.
Not in the bathroom
Do you really think that the other person on the phone can’t hear the echo or when someone else is flushing the toilet when you are in a public restroom? Get real.
Don’t Drive and Talk
3% of drivers are talking on their cell phones, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which means that there are millions of distracted drivers. DON’T BE ONE.
So, I hope that you will stop and consider your cell phone manners the next time you are with someone else when it rings. I know that my family won’t pull their cell phones out the next time we have a family dinner.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Let me add a couple of pet peeves:
1) If you have to be somewhere at two o’clock and you arrive at 2 o’clock but you are on the phone till 2:15, you are not “on time”!
2) Unless you are expecting a call from the UN or George Clooney, the phone call you receive during a meeting or dinner can probably wait and be returned later. That’s why we have something called “voice mail”.
My wife has had to law down the law to my daughter’s friends who literally send text messages to people standing right next to them. I guess it’s not cool to just talk to people any more.