Cell Phone Etiquette:

Cell phones are fast replacing the home phones that used to tie us down. We are now a more mobile society. Therefore, we have come a long way beginning with the use of pagers. Now, we take our phones, cells, with us everywhere.
However, as we go places many of us forget that we are in public places not just in the comfort of our own environment/homes. Therefore, over and over etiquette seems to fall by the wayside time and time again.

People drive on the streets with cell phones attached to their ears, disregarding the other drivers. Thus they are being careless, this causes the traffic to have to become more alert to them in order to avoid an accident. There are now speakerphones and earpieces to alleviate this problem available to such drivers who must be on the phone. I generally will peek at who is calling/has called when I am stopped at a signal/stop sign. Then if it's important, decide to pull off somewhere and call them back. Otherwise, continue on to your destination. Either return the call then or at a later time when it's convenient.

Have you ever been in a movie theater, or other public event in which you paid "good money" to watch/see something. Only to have someones cell phone ring disrupting "your good time" (movie/event)? Irritating beyond description, isn't it? You look around to try and find out who was the inconsiderate person. More time away from your movie/event. All one needs to do to be considerate is to place their cell phone on vibrate or turn it off. Then you won't be interrupting everyone else's time. If you actually need the phone on due to an important/babysitter call vibrate is a great option. If the phone vibrates you can check caller ID, then leave to the lobby/restroom and take the call/call them back. Common courtesy goes a long way in public events.

Cell phones are sensitive devices. They are not the phones of the early days when you had to yell into them to be heard. They may be small, yet they amplify your voice very well, believe me the other person can actually hear you. If you need to yell, because you are in an area where you have bad reception, then any amount of yelling is not going to help. Disconnect your call and go to another area and recall your party to see if the reception is better. Explain to your party what happened "the reception was bad and we had to disconnect, sorry." Then continue your conversation. Maintain an even tone, actually talking in a low discreet tone is always a good practice when you are in public places. Also, when you are near other people as they don't generally want to hear your conversation. And really do you want them to know what you are saying? In today's society privacy is really a good option in most cases due to identity theft, also with the many different psychos out there.

One option when you are in some places that are public, to maintain privacy and quiet, is text messaging. As it affords you the opportunity to message someone information without you disclosing it verbally. Also, it will not be in any way a bother to other patrons. (i.e. public library/on trains).

Remember that most people today do carry their cell phone with them always. Therefore, when you are out with friends and at family affairs be considerate of their feelings. Don't always hang on your cell phone for long periods of time in their presence when you receive a call. In the event you get a call, check the caller ID. If it's not important let it go to voicemail (that's why cell phones have those features). Then you can be the hero in their eyes when you say "I'll catch up with that person later, right now I'm too busy (having fun) with you." However, if it's actually a call you really need to take say "Excuse me for a minute, I've been expecting this call." Then make the call as brief as possible. If it's an emergency and you need to leave then you'll need to explain that to your friends/family after you hang up from the call.

Cell phones are our lifelines in our everyday lives now. However, it's our choice in which way we represent ourselves in their use. Do you want to be remembered as the one who was rude or considerate? The choice is yours. I've given you some basic guidelines for cell phone etiquette.