Cellphone Savvy

Sometimes I believe cell phones were created just to see who can talk the loudest and annoy the most people around them…just joking. Awkward situations and boredom often give an excuse for people to defer to their phones and not engage with others.  I drive, and there is nothing more annoying than someone crossing the street with their face buried in their cell phone while you as the driver have the right of way. You are now challenged with averting traffic as well as people who don’t pay attention when crossing the street. As Emily Post says,  “society’s irritation with the cell phone isn’t with the device; it’s with the thoughtless ways it’s used”.

Although cell phones are our lifeline and the technology changes every 6 months, the rules of etiquette remain the same. Please note the following cellphone courtesies:

1. Make your call quickly and quietly while in densely populated areas.When taking a call,  excuse yourself and move at least 10 feet away from your party or in front of a building.  Doing so will keep the call private and disturb others.
   
   
2. When using your cell phone, special consideration should be taken while on the street,  yes on the street. You should be aware of your surroundings and not be intrusive to others by talking loudly.  For example, on elevators – wait until you get off the elevator to continue your conversation; on airplanes — wait until you get off the plane to take the call and take longer calls in the terminal; on trains and buses –  be especially conscious of your volume, that is, because of the elevated noise level on trains and buses, the volume of your conversation is elevated as well, and this can be intrusive to your fellow passengers.
3. Take special care while driving and pay attention to the road.  Most newer cars have Bluetooth technology which allows you to speak “hands-free.”  However, this can also be problematic. While engrossed in conversation, I once drove down a one-way street in an area that I was extremely familiar with while on the phone and in another incident, I didn’t stop at a stop sign.  Sobe careful out there.
4. Do not take calls or take pictures while in a public restroom.  This is extremely rude to others and defies the sanctity of the restroom. Enough said!
5. Turn off or silence cell phones while in movie theaters,  meetings, restaurants, doctor’s’ offices and churches to name a few.  Putting the phone on vibrate can also be annoying, as others are constantly hearing the buzzing of the phone.  However, it is perfectly acceptable for healthcare professionals to keep their phones on or on vibrate when they are “on call.”
6. Keep your ringtone and voicemail professional if your number is given to co-workers or clients.  There’s nothing worse than listening to a whole song before you are even able to leave an actual message.
7. Not all calls are meant to be answered.  Give yourself a break and answer calls when it’s convenient for you. If you answer a call while you’re busy, your focus on the caller will be compromised and information can be lost or misconstrued.

Cellphones are a tool of necessity and convenience.  Let’s always be mindful to use our discretion when we use them around others.