Cell Phone Courtesy ; How To Increase Your Cell Phone Class

Cellphone Rudeness Hits Record High

Cell phone etiquette improves any environment

It you were in a store, train, or a restaurant recently, in addition to the normal noise, you were likely to have been subjected to multiple, loud phone conversations in your consumer space.

According to a USA Today poll, cell phone chatter annoys almost two-thirds of Americans. Eight in 10 say they over hear cell chatter in restaurants and stores.

Yesterday, I was subjected to two people who appeared to be on a date, sitting at the same restaurant table ignoring each other while chatting in loud voices with phone friends. The spectacle continued over ten minutes. That rude public behavior is wrong on so many levels.

Restaurants should hire "phone greeters" and "phone bouncers". As we step into the restaurant, the host will inquire, "Would you prefer Courtesy or Rudeness?" in the same dulcet tones they learned years ago for, "Would you prefer Smoking or Nonsmoking?"

A "Rudeness" seating selection would provide unlimited cell phone chatting in a sound proof plastic enclosed space like the smoking cubes at the airport. If the enclosure idea proves too costly, the Rudeness cell phone seating area can be outdoors- all year long.

There comes a time in any technological evolution when some basic guidelines need to be re-established. It's time for some tips for gaining 'role model' status in Cell Phone Class.

How To Have More Cell Phone Class: Four Tips For 4G Etiquette

1. Classy people understand the concept of cell free zones. Don't subject defenseless onlookers to cell phone conversations. When people cannot escape the banality of your conversation--on a plane, on a train, on a bus, or at their restaurant dinner table--spare them. If you are “hooked” on nonstop communication, send a text message.

2. Go to vibrate mode: Turn off/silence the ringer of your cell phone during public performances. In the past two weeks, I’ve heard personal musical rings at several meetings, a wedding, and during a funeral. Ring tones have become a billion dollar business. Ringers set to "Take Me out to the Ball Game" every time the phone rings may entertain you, but in a consumer space where people can’t escape, put your musical genius on “stun”.

3. Turn down your voice volume. It isn’t necessary to speak louder if you can’t hear. You should be able to speak more softly than you do in normal conversation.

4. Photo and video permissions are required in all non-emergency situations. Unless you are about to be mugged and want to capture evidence, do not take anyone’s photo or shoot video of them with your cell phone without their prior permission. Classy cell phone users will simply apply the golden rule.

Deprived of the high volume sounds of their own voices; I recommend the newly courteous cell phone chatter addict consider these behaviors during lunch:

The reflective could read.

The timid could text.

The classy and courteous could converse. Face to face.

Margaret Ross, CEO Kamaron Institute

Author: Margaret Ross, leading workplace and relationship expert, is a frequently featured guest on America’s top radio shows. Margaret is President-CEO of the Kamaron Institute, a business management consulting, marketing communication, research, and staff development firm

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