Once upon a time, only truly important individuals
– or their imitators – had cell phones with them in public. Back
then, if you went to a party with one jauntily clipped to your hip
and you might be mistaken for a surgeon or some sort of CEO. Man,
did the chicks dig that.
Once upon a time, only truly important individuals – or their imitators – had cell phones with them in public. Back then, if you went to a party with one jauntily clipped to your hip and you might be mistaken for a surgeon or some sort of CEO. Man, did the chicks dig that.
But these days there are cell phones everywhere. More than 110 million Americans had one in hand in 2000. By next year, worldwide use is expected to top 1.2 billion and now, that prominent cell phone holster is not exactly the way to excite the ladies. Today it screams nouveau wireless.
Unfortunately, social code has lagged behind technology. Emily Post, it turns out, has no official position on cell phone usage.
And yet, common slip-ups are readily identified by the causal observer. For instance, on a recent date, everything was going well – dinner was excellent, the conversation was flowing – and then it happened – the ringing began.
The man across the table reached into his pocket and produced a cell phone, which he proceeded to answer. He ended the brief personal conversation, ironically enough, with the words, “Call me tomorrow. I’m being rude.”
Technically there’s no social law against what he did, but perhaps there should be. One for him and one for the kid in the movie theater who answers his cell phone during “Ray”. And for the woman who talks on the phone and puts on her make-up while weaving down Highway 25.
Just to make sure you don’t embarrass yourself as badly as these people, here are a few helpful hints for public cell phone use:
nBe professional. You work hard to cultivate a good impression at the office. Why destroy it when your electronic umbilical cord starts playing William Tell in the middle of a fancy restaurant? Turn your ringer to vibrate if the phone must be on in a public area.
While eating it is permissible to take a call provided many of the people around you are also cell phone users, but if you’re the only one, let voicemail pick up. Likewise, on a date, it’s best to leave the phone at home.
nLocation counts. Taking a call in an area with bad reception or a large amount of background noise, such as a bar with loud music or lots of people, is likely to sound unprofessional to begin with. Add in the distraction factor of such surroundings.
If you must take a call, try to work your way outside or toward a quiet area. You’ll be better able to focus on the person at the other end of the line and less likely to annoy those around you.
nBe up front. If you must make a call while on a date, tell the person in advance rather than announcing it rudely at the appointed time. Cell-Phone-Etiquette.com advises taking a soft approach by saying something like, “Would you remind me that I have to call John at 8:30?”
