Cell Phone Etiquette 101

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I talk and text literally thousands of minutes a month to my BFF, otherwise known as my husband, as he travels extensively with his job.  Even with all this talking and texting, I am extremely considerate of others and exhibit proper Cell Phone Etiquette at all times.  I have unofficially dubbed myself the “Miss Manners of Cell Phone Etiquette”.  OK, at least for today’s post because poor cell phone etiquette drives me crazy.   

Let me share some recent Cell Phone Scenarios. Please be honest with yourself and admit if you are guilty, even in part, of these inconsiderate cell phone behaviors.  Remember, the first step to getting help is admitting you have a problem.

The library is one of the last remaining sanctuary’s of quiet, or should be in my opinion.  I live in a small town that consequently has a tiny library.   I love the peace and quiet the library represents.  Well it used to.  Each time I go there, someone is planted at one of the computers discussing the feud between Darlene and Nancy, what she will fix for dinner and how will she ever have time to pick up Timmy from football practice and get Tiffany to dance class.  She is discussing this in a voice loud enough to announce Timmy’s football game on Friday night without a PA system, while ignoring the sign proclaiming “Be Considerate Of Others – Cell Phone Use Is Prohibited In The Library”.   Is this you?  Perhaps you haven’t seen the inside of a library since say the 3rd Grade, so substitute it for the grocery store, mall, doctors office, restaurant, bank, hair salon, need I go on?  Please understand that I don’t care about you, Darlene, Nancy, Timmy or Tiffany and now since I have listened to your megaphone voice, I am starting to dislike you and am even contemplating retaliation.  But wait!  I can’t hold the title of Miss Manners and play the retaliation card so I roll my eyes and go on about my life.  Until the next time you appear, which assuredly won’t be long. 

OK, deep breath and on to our next scenario.

I’m driving down the express way and there you are again.  Cell phone jammed between your shoulder and ear, driving the speed limit of let’s say 65MPH.  Now your right hand leaves the steering wheel and begins to make circles and punctuation marks in the air while your speed drops to 52MPH in the LEFT HAND PASSING LANE.  Before we can say “Talk to you later”,  there are 27 vehicles stacked up behind you riding each others bumpers because YOU are driving alongside a semi hauling 42,000 pounds of steel uphill in an imaginary race.  YOU, of course, are oblivious because your neck hurts what with the cell phone wedged in there while you are busy discussing Darlene, Nancy and those other two.  When you finally do move over, we all fly by you.  We wish you could read our lips, but of course you aren’t even looking.  You are still leaning left, making all kinds of hand signals and now driving 49MPH with a semi truck straight up your…… bumper. 

OK, breathing calmly now…. 

You know there is one word that can fix all this and that is consideratation.  If we would just stop thinking about ourselves, be more considerate of others and use an ounce of common sense these situations wouldn’t occur.

For those of you who won’t consider being considerate without a list of rules to follow; here you are:

• Complete all cell phone conversations in the privacy of your vehicle and leave the phone in your vehicle prior to venturing out in public.  If this is somethng you simply can not do, please read on.
• Turn your phone on silent or vibrate before entering any building besides your home. 
• If your phone rings and you are within earshot of another person, don’t answer until you are in a private place.  If you are unable to determine what a quiet private area is, please email me. I will send you a list that can be kept in your vehicle or perhaps tattooed on your forearm for quick reference.
• If you must answer while in earshot of another person, speak quietly.  Practice this at home with someone if you don’t understand the concept.  It is a skill anyone can learn and the person on the other end of your phone will most likely appreciate your new, quiet voice.
• If you must drive and converse at the same time, invest in a headset.  They are inexpensive, easy to use and that chronic neck pain will go away in no time.  Your driving skills just might improve and you also may save yourself from a serious accident. As an added bonus, you might prevent me from being your next victim. 

 And that would be very considerate of you.

If you need further help or just want to read more, please go to:

http://www.cellhell55.com/

Word Sell Inc.

Brad Shorr of Word Sell Inc. is running a contest on cell phone use and abuse.  You have just read my entry.  To read more entries or participate, go to Word Sell Inc.  The deadline is Friday, December 5th.

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Tags: blogging, cell phones, life balance