Resources & Articles - RE-Leesburg.com

More and more people are forgetting about proper cell phone manners. I'm talking about the loud, rude attitude that almost everybody carrying a mobile phone is becoming guilty of. No event is safe from the omnipresent ringing and annoying yakking; not even meetings, eulogies, and job interviews. You think I'm kidding? Just ask a lot of salesmen, executives, doctors, lawyers, and practically anybody. They'll know what I'm talking about.

From streets to theaters, from classrooms to boardrooms, from diners to churches, boorish cell phone users are anywhere. They practically forget or totally abandon basic courtesies. I know a lot, and I mean a lot, of executives who have quite a few stories to tell about this attitude. My favorite so far is the one about a panel member who was doing a demonstration. When his cell phone rang, he immediately stopped and answered his phone! It's about time that we lay down the law about proper cell phone etiquette.

A recent survey says that the worst habit of cell phone users is carrying out loud conversations in public. Furthermore, poor cell phone manners is observed by almost everybody at least once a day. But let me make one thing perfectly clear. Cell phones are not the issue here. People are. The sales of cell phones are rising. So are the sound level and the rudeness. I think it's the right time to seriously think about proper cell phone manners. Here are some dos and don'ts.

Don't take a personal call using your cell phonein the middle of a business meeting. This rule also includes meetings with co-workers or subordinates, and job interviews. You'll be surprised to know how many job applicants flunk this one.

Keep a 10-foot zone away from people when you use your cell phone. No one needs to know the banalities of your life, really. Inform all your callers that you're talking on a cellular phone, so they'll know to expect distractions or disconnections. And keep all conversations short and sweet.

Do not hold a phone conversation inside arenas, elevators, libraries, places of worship, graveyards, hospitals, diners, galleries, or any other enclosed public spaces. And also, never ever hold an intimate phone conversation while in public. If you really must, use an earpiece in noisy locations, so that you can control the volume of your voice.

Don't use those irritating ring tones that distract others and damage eardrums. Do we really have to listen to this nonsense? Do try to be mature about this. Stop trying to multi-task with your phone. Avoid making calls while buying groceries, walking the dog, waiting in line or doing other personal business. Lastly, inform everyone that you're now adapting improved cell phone etiquette, and request them to do the same. It's very important.

Technology and manners can co-exist. Just ask the millions of Internet users, who've adopted the rules for email etiquette. You can always use the vibrate function, use voice mail, or go to a secluded area before making a call. All it takes is a little bit of consideration.