mobile phone etiquette.doc

They complain about people driving too slow, and not paying attention to where they are going because they are talking on a cell phone. And they complain about people walking around talking to people who arent there. Cell-phone etiquette apply to most public places. Always try to keep your phone ringer as low as possible or put your mobile phone on vibrate, so it does not distract the people around you. Basic Cell phone etiquette rules include :Switching it Off : Know when to turn it off or vibrate it. eg meetings, movies, worship, seminars, etc . Vibrate mode when in places where you can take a call, but dont want to disturb others.Be Brief : When you get a call and youre with friends, keep the call short.Permission : Often, it is correct etiquette to inform others at the beginning of the meeting that you are expecting an important call and get their permission. Be Polite : Dont scream : speak in a lower-than-normal voice, you will be heard by the caller, and not others in the roomDont Distract : Avoid talking where you may be distracting to others. Driving : It is not only very dangerous, but also unlawful in most countries ( even India ) to drive & talk on your cell PhoneHowever, as there are exceptions to every scenario, cell phones tend to become a nuisance for the majority when an individual misuses it or is unaware of the basic etiquette. It is harder to escape cell phone users. You are constantly irritated by some of the inane conversations you hear on the bus or train, or just walking down the street, and sometimes astonished at how some people broadcast some pretty personal details because they forget they are in public. Cell phone etiquette comprises of a few simple guidelines of common courtesy when using a cell phone in public, designed to make public places enjoyable for all. It is important to understand that the general public is not interested in your private conversations, arguments, details, official business meetings or intimate information that is loudly discussed on your cell phone. Do not have sensitive or confidential conversations that can be heard in public For the benefit of every cell phone user, here are a few ground rules that spell cell phone etiquette. When you are in a public place like a shopping mall, theater, restaurant or even an elevator, keep your conversations brief. You can get back to the caller when you are in a private space and where your conversation does not disturb the people around you. When you are watching a movie in a theater with hundreds of other people, make it a point to switch off your cell phone or keep it in silent mode. Moviegoers do not buy tickets to be disturbed by loud cell phone users. Remember that cell phones should be switched off in movie theaters, playhouses, or any other public place that creates an atmosphere to elevate the imagination of the audience. People pay good money to be entertained, not for something that spoils the illusion. Refrain from talking on your cell phone while driving. Multitasking on the road can be dangerous and can lead to accidents. If anything urgent, upsetting or distracting, stop the car and pull over to a corner of the road and speak. Do not talk and drive simultaneously. By doing that, you are risking the lives of many other people on the road while risking your own too. If you are talking and walking, stay aware of your surroundings or risk walking into traffic or losing your balance on stairs. Turn off your phone before a job interview, presentations, official meetings or boardroom meetings. Leave it off at funerals, weddings or any place where a quiet atmosphere is mandated such as a courthouse, museum, library, and place of worship or any public venues. It is a question of being considerate and to empathize with others needs and convenience as well. When it so happens that you need to answer an important call, ask the people around you Do you mind if I make a call? or Can I answer this? Intimate public gatherings such as restaurants, public restrooms, waiting rooms, hallways, buses, subways are all places where a private conversation is not possible. In such places, when you are forced to stand close to others they are also forced to overhear your private conversations. At such times, you can practice good cell phone etiquette. You can put the ringer on silent or vibrate mode or let the call roll over to the voice mail. Alternately, if it is an important call that you must take, step outside or into a secluded area to return the call. Do not make calls if you are in an area that is already noisy and will cause you to raise your voice. If outside noises are interfering with your call, find a quieter place. Many cell phone users tend to speak loudly. Little do they realize that there is a microphone in the gadget that is perfectly capable of hearing normal voice tone. Speak in a lower-than-normal voice, you will be heard by the caller, and not others in the room. When you are not heard, do not shout over the phone interrupting everyone around you. You may appear rude and uncouth to the onlookers. Get up and move to a secluded place or exit to the back hall to receive the signal or to make calls. At times, when you are not aware that you are loud, take your cue from the response of those around you. If the connection is bad, tell the caller that you will call back when you find a spot with better coverage. Short text messages (SMS) in silence are ideal in such situations. Whenever a new communications technology becomes popular, it changes the way society is organized. Society has to invent rules for the polite way to use the new devices. Cell phone etiquette is really just common courtesy, but essentially about being considerate of others and to remain empathetic and conscious to others needs as well as convenience. Mobile phone etiquette( 2003-10-29 14:49) (CRI.com) Mobile phone etiquette has become a hotly debated topic around the world. A recent survey shows peoples anger at the rudeness and disrespect some display to others while on the cell phone in public places. The biggest complaint is about people talking on the phone in a cinema or during a live performance with 79% of those surveyed being annoyed by this. 61 % thought is was disrespectful to chat on the phone when in a meeting. 58% of people dislike others talking loudly on the phone in reastuarants. 42% think it is rude in quiet places like libraries and study halls. In addition, it has become a well researched fact that talking on the phone hile driving can cause road accidents.This is the courteous thing to do. Besides, when we talk to our loved ones human emotions can come into play. Whether we realize it or not a raised voice often reflects our emotions.Pay attention to your surroundings. Taking care of your business needs on the phone is not a license to be rude. For example, what happens if you get an important call from an executive while you are in line to buy some pants at a department store? You want to take the call, right? If you can see the feet of the person next to you and they are in toe stepping range you are not in a private place. Also, be aware that if provoked those very feet could be a weapon.The grocery store is no exception. If youre like most people you go to the grocery store only to forget an important item on your list. So you make a call and find out whether you are supposed to get some vegetable or staple. This needed piece of information you learn about in a 20 second conversation. Unfortunately, while youre on the phone a few people glance over at you and give you a dirty look. You ignore their facial expressions as you hear about a loved ones visit to the doctor. You just demonstrated