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Cell Phone Chaos
 Last week I accompanied a friend to a
doctor’s office. The waiting room was packed. People were sitting on
the floor, leaning against the wall and slumped over furniture. A few
of the lucky ones had chairs. Everyone looked miserable. For the most
part the only sounds were moaning, sniffling and coughing. I must
admit that I was questioning my decision to drive my ailing friend to
her appointment. I dug into my handbag for a vitamin or anything that
might boost my immune system instantly.
Suddenly the near
quiet room was shattered by a male voice, yelling, “Hey Bubba,
whatcha doing?” It only took a second for most of us to realize that
we were in the company of one more rude cell phone user. What
followed was an explanation of where the caller was, his reason for
being there (the last thing anyone wanted to know), when he thought
he would be leaving and which bar he and Bubba should meet in when he
was finished.
Clearly, this inconsiderate being had no idea
that this month, July, is National Cell Phone Courtesy Month. No
doubt, he has never heard of courtesy, let alone cell phone
courtesy.
Have you noticed that he is not in a class by
himself? As the number of cell phone users rises, the horror stories
about them increase. We all have not just one unbelievably rude cell
phone incident to relate, we have dozens.
Don’t you wish
that along with those bizarre directions on how to set up and use
your phone—the ones written by the people who designed the phones and
therefore already know how to use them—there were also instructions
for cell phone conduct? Rules like:
1. Keep it private. No
one else wants or needs to hear your phone conversation. If you feel
compelled to make or receive a call on your cell phone, find a
private spot away from other people.
2. Ask permission
first. When you think that you may be receiving an important call,
let others know and ask their permission to leave your phone on and
to take the call.
3. Excuse yourself. When the all-important
call comes, excuse yourself and find that secluded spot.
4.
Turn your cell phone off. Whether you are attending personal or
professional functions, just turn off the phone. You can check your
messages later. Few of us are so indispensable that we cannot be out
of contact for a few minutes or hours.
5. Use the silent
ringer or vibrate function appropriately. When you are in the
presence of others, it is just as inconsiderate to check the incoming
call as it is to answer it. If your phone vibrates, excuse yourself
to check the call or, better yet, check it later. How discounting is
it to have someone with whom you are speaking suddenly say, “Do you
mind if I check my phone and see who this is?” You almost hold your
breath waiting to see who will win the attention of your companion,
you or the caller?
6. Keep your voice down. You don’t need
to be like Bubba’s friend in the waiting room and yell. The phone may
look tiny, but it picks up sound perfectly well.
7. Remember
the phone booth. It was not constructed for the sole purpose of
allowing Superman to change his clothes. Its’ original function was
to afford people private access to a public phone. Seems like a
whacky concept today.
8. People are the problem, not the
phones. Pass it on.
© Lydia Ramsey. All rights reserved.
Reprint rights granted so long as article and by-line are published
intact and with all links made live.
 
About the
Author  Lydia Ramsey is a business etiquette expert, professional speaker, corporate trainer and author of MANNERS THAT SELL - ADDING THE POLISH THAT BUILDS PROFITS. She has been quoted or featured in The New York Times, Investors' Business Daily, Entrepreneur, Inc., Real Simple and Woman's Day. For
more information about her programs, products and services visit her web site at http://www.mannersthatsell.com
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