12/16/2008

Cell Phone Etiquette Revisited

The ExchangeEveryDay on December 10 (Cell Phone Etiquette — An Oxymoron?) obviously touched a nerve and generated a large number of thoughtful responses. Below are just two of these responses. You can go back to the ExchangeEveryDay archives to view all the responses.

Betty Read, The Halton Resource Connection, Georgetown, Ontario, Canada
I was at a conference and at the beginning of the meeting the woman announced that anyone who had a cell phone ring during the session would have to donate $10 to that location's charity. I thought it was a great idea to reduce cell phone calls interrupting and a great way for the charity to make some money.

Athena Baldwin, Australia
When we ignore, or do nothing about, such behaviour we are giving the offenders tacit approval to continue. Drawing attention to such breaches of etiquette is one way to address it.

• If someone takes a call in the middle of a conversation — get up and walk away.
  
• When someone continually texts in an important meeting — take a coffee break, (or re-schedule) and explain why: "Fred obviously has something more urgent he needs to attend to, so we'll re-convene when he can give us his full attention".
  
• In a public lecture — appeal to peer pressure. Stop the presentation and ask, "Is someone next to you using their mobile? Is it bothering you? If so, feel free to ask them to stop."
  
• In an elevator — what would happen if everyone turned to face the caller and appeared to listen with rapt attention?
  

By saying and doing nothing, we have given people permission to trample on basic social courtesies and ignore the rights and feelings of others. We need to start letting them know it's not okay. Thanks for the opportunity to vent!

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