Sensible Cell Phones
Rudeness is inherent when you are in a public place ignoring the public. When you are carrying on a conversation with somebody that is not there, it is, in effect, telling the people that are there that they are not as important as some disembodied voice on your phone. Here is a short list of cell phone etiquette suggestions:
If everyone followed these suggestions, the busy technology based world would be a touch nicer and maybe even safer.
- Set your ringer on vibrate and put it in a pocket. Why? Well, no one really wants to hear the P Diddy song your phone plays every time it rings. Or worse yet, Kenny Rogers.
- Step out of the general public's way to have a conversation. Show the rest of the world that you are removed from it at this moment and are engaged with something else.
- Do not carry on a conversation in line at the store. Usually the conversation can wait until you are not somehow involved with some activity in society.
- In places that are inherently quieter - a library, a serene park, etc, turn it off. If you are expecting a call, see suggestion #1.
- Do not answer the phone while you are in a public bathroom stall. That is just wrong.
- Do not type or read text messages while holding a conversation with a warm body. If it is VERY important, excuse yourself as though someone else has walked up. I find this to be the RUDEST cell phone behavior.
- Text messaging should never occur during a meal. The idea here is that the people that you are wit should take precedence over the people who you are not with.
- Don't talk and drive if you can avoid it. Especially at intersections or on highways. Studies have shown that talking on a phone - even hands free - can be as bad as driving drunk.
If everyone followed these suggestions, the busy technology based world would be a touch nicer and maybe even safer.
posted by Canton Mommy | 12:09 AM
5 Comments:
1. Agree about vibrate, though if it's in your pocket too long, and you're a guy, you may start to have another socially unacceptable problem.
2. If I could get out of the public's way, you wouldn't know I was on the phone. Unfortunately, it's become a semi-necessary evil.
3. I'm OK if people want to have a conversation in a line. But if you do it, you risk public humiliation when you don't move forward or slow me down in any way, shape, or form.
4. Agreed.
5. Disagree. If it's that important that you had to call me, you're going to get me where I am, stall or urinal included. However, one should not INITIATE a call from a restroom.
6. Text messaging is evil. Don't understand the fascination with that. Unless you're in a really boring meeting, and you want to get someone else in trouble.
7. You may text message if you are eating alone.
8. If you must talk while driving, at least try to get off the road and out of my way.
One other I'd like to add: Consider seeking professional help if you can make an entire shopping trip while being on the phone the entire time. I witnessed one lady doing just that last weekend at Target. She walked in on the phone. She shopped while on the phone. She even managed to check out and pay without ever putting the phone away.
Seriously, I have been one of two occupants in a bathroom when somebody answered their cell phone. I thought she as talking to me until she rudely replied, "I'm on the PHONE". That's just wrong. Look at the number and call the person back. No one wants to hear you pee.
I don't think I've ever been in a public restroom where people talk to each other in the stalls. In front of urinals, sure. But being in the stalls is a time that requires concentration and focus. And even if it doesn't require that, you take the opportunity to enjoy some quiet time. Talking is basically forbidden.
I am enjoying your parallel politeness posting. It is a unique point of view!
As would be expected from a unique individual.
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