Sandra Marlowe was in a public restroom when she heard a woman’s
voice in the next stall.
”
Hello?
”
the voice said.
”
Hello?
”
Thinking the woman was in need of toilet paper, Marlowe
responded:
”
Yes?
”
Sandra Marlowe was in a public restroom when she heard a woman’s voice in the next stall.
“Hello?” the voice said. “Hello?”
Thinking the woman was in need of toilet paper, Marlowe responded: “Yes?”
The woman’s voice said, “Hello? Are you there?”
So, Marlowe, a Gilroy resident, answered again.
“Yes, I’m right in the next stall. What do you need?”
But then the woman started talking and it was clear she didn’t need any toilet paper. She was, in fact, talking on her cell phone while on the commode in the public restroom.
We’ve all been in similar situations, whether it was standing next to someone in an elevator who was talking about their extramarital affair or watching the person in line for coffee who couldn’t put the phone down long enough to give their order and pay. Instead, the talker glanced at the cashier with an irritated look, as if to say, “Why can’t you just read my mind? Why should I have to interrupt my call just to order?”
The list of blatantly bad cell phone etiquette goes on and on, from the drivers swerving as they reach to answer their phone to the cell phones ringing in the middle of church services. So, we thought we’d do our part in trying to control cell phone users gone wild. Here are eight rules of etiquette to follow – yes, they all apply to you, too. Surveys show about 90 percent of people say they’ve encountered annoying cell phone users, but only eight percent say their own cell phone use is sometimes rude, according to the Web site techdirt.com.
Cut out these eight rules, post them in the office, at home or anywhere else you see fit.
1. The vibrate mode is there for a reason. Use it.
If you’re afraid of missing a call from the baby-sitter or that business call you’ve been waiting for all week, put the phone on vibrate when going to the movies or into a restaurant. Do your co-workers a favor, too. Leave the phone on the desk but on vibrate mode so your ring tone doesn’t disturb those around you.
2. Be considerate to those around you.
If you must take a call, keep your voice down – don’t yell into the phone. Try to maintain a 10-foot buffer from anyone around you while talking. Also, keep it short. Explain to the caller that you’re standing in line at the grocery store and you’ll call them back in five minutes. Everyone around you will thank you for it.
3. Scrutinize your ring tone.
Is it too loud? Annoying? Immature? Does it cause people to turn, stare and possibly sneer? Think about what your ring tone says about you and think how others around you will react. Even if your kids or friends love it, maybe your coworkers and strangers will want to throw your phone out the nearest window every time it rings.
4. Don’t get snap-happy.
These days, talking and ring tones aren’t the only causes for concern. Camera phones have brought a whole new element to cell phone etiquette. Be aware of where you’re taking pictures with your phone. If you’re in a locker room, near a public swimming pool or a doctor’s office, keep your phone in your pocket.
5. Text when appropriate.
This does not mean while driving. If you’re texting and driving, you’re putting yourself in danger, as well as the drivers and pedestrians you’re passing. If it’s so important, pull over and text or call the person. Otherwise, wait.
6. Earpieces and voice commands are your friends.
If you must talk and drive, keep both hands on the wheel by using voice command technology and an earpiece. Earpieces can cost as little as $10, so don’t pretend you can’t afford one.
7. Don’t get angry.
If you’re standing in line at the grocery store, bank, post office, coffee shop or at a restaurant, don’t get angry if someone comes up and asks you to get off the phone. Many businesses are becoming cell phone-free zones. Plus, people have the right to stand in line without hearing all about how the kids have some sort of bug that’s been causing them to throw up all night. If someone asks you to hang up, hang up – and have the decency to look sheepish.
8. All right, we’ll be specific.
Never talk on your cell phone in elevators, libraries, bathrooms, museums, cemeteries, movie theaters, places of worship, doctors’ offices, hospital emergency rooms or buses. Just don’t do it. (We can’t believe we actually had to list bathrooms, but clearly it happens.)
Sources: www.microsoft.com, www.letstalk.com
