Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - What are the rules of cell phone etiquette and usage?

Supple Cow · 06-26-2005, 09:54 PM

I agree with the general sentiment that a lot of people don't have good etiquette while using their cell phones. I wouldn't even call it cell phone etiquette... it's just plain etiquette. I find cell-specific rules to be impractical as they are not the most effective way to get rude people to stop being rude and they are also a nuisance for people whose work involves emergencies (the kind where people need to go to the hospital and not "my daughter can't find her pink cardigan"). I don't have any problem with a doctor who is on call wanting to see a movie instead of twiddling her thumbs and then having to get up and leave in the middle of it to take a call. People get up to use the restroom all the time. Standing up is not a major disruption. The problem is the bright screen coming out every 20 seconds because some kid wants to read his text messages, or the lady who doesn't understand that she's supposed to leave the room to take a call.

I treat my cell phone like an old-fashioned land line that just happens to be handy in case of an emergency on the road. I don't chat on the phone unless I'm not doing anything or I'm expecting the call. I don't call people or answer it when I'm driving unless it's because I need directions from a friend, and I pull over to do it. I don't have it on in class or at performances so as not to disrupt the proceedings. There is hardly any emergency that I could prevent or fix by being able to take a call in the middle of a lecture or an exam instead of listening to my messages 45 minutes later when class is out. Phone calls go both ways and I can always call people back if it's really important. I just see calls as my private business and I use the cell in public only when I need to.

The rules are easy: be aware of the people around you and keep your private business private.

06-26-2005, 09:54 PM	#20 (permalink)
Supple Cow Americow, the Beautiful Location: Washington, D.C.	I agree with the general sentiment that a lot of people don't have good etiquette while using their cell phones. I wouldn't even call it cell phone etiquette... it's just plain etiquette. I find cell-specific rules to be impractical as they are not the most effective way to get rude people to stop being rude and they are also a nuisance for people whose work involves emergencies (the kind where people need to go to the hospital and not "my daughter can't find her pink cardigan"). I don't have any problem with a doctor who is on call wanting to see a movie instead of twiddling her thumbs and then having to get up and leave in the middle of it to take a call. People get up to use the restroom all the time. Standing up is not a major disruption. The problem is the bright screen coming out every 20 seconds because some kid wants to read his text messages, or the lady who doesn't understand that she's supposed to leave the room to take a call. I treat my cell phone like an old-fashioned land line that just happens to be handy in case of an emergency on the road. I don't chat on the phone unless I'm not doing anything or I'm expecting the call. I don't call people or answer it when I'm driving unless it's because I need directions from a friend, and I pull over to do it. I don't have it on in class or at performances so as not to disrupt the proceedings. There is hardly any emergency that I could prevent or fix by being able to take a call in the middle of a lecture or an exam instead of listening to my messages 45 minutes later when class is out. Phone calls go both ways and I can always call people back if it's really important. I just see calls as my private business and I use the cell in public only when I need to. The rules are easy: be aware of the people around you and keep your private business private. __________________ "I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." (Michael Jordan)