Public Phone Protocol & Phone Etiquette

Public Phone Protocol & Phone Etiquette

Society has developed to a point where it is very common to see people talking on phones in public. Nowadays with cell phones, instant communications is at our finger tips, these mobile devices were initially targeted to help people keep in touch and where especially good for emergency situations. However over the last decades cell phones have evolved into much more. It has become a multi-task device venue for communications, information and entertainment. While these mobile devices have many advantages and provide much help, people have a tendency to abuse at the expense of others. When these devices aren't used properly it can disrupt normal activities for most of us and can out right bother us. We must remember we need to control our phone and not let our phone control us. We need to make a conscious effort to only use our phones when reasons justify it and use proper phone etiquette if the situation arises when we need to use it. Also remember our cell phones have voice mail, which you can respond to later when you are at an appropriate place.

We will now layout proper phone protocol and phone etiquette when the occasion a rises and you need to use your phone in public. Following some phone etiquette guidelines is something everyone should consider while using their phones in public. Try and think of your cell phone as a privilege and really should only be used in public if absolutely necessary. If we all follow these guidelines we would alleviate inconveniencing others in public.

Probably the number one rule when having your cell phone in public would be putting it on vibrate or silent mode. Examples of places that might appreciate this action would include churches, restaurants, theaters, museums and meetings. In the event you absolutely need to be available to take a call, these modes would allow you to do so.

Most all cell phones have caller id which will allow you to be able to screen your calls and most all have voice mail and texting capabilities. These features would allow you the ability to excuse yourself from the room so the call can be received. If you are not able to leave the room, try moving to an unoccupied area in the room, try and speak very softly as not to disturb anyone. Remember cell phones have very sensitive microphones which allow for the softest of voice tones to be picked up, so unless you and the other person are caught with a poor signal, you really don't need to speak very loudly when talking. I think all of us could take a lesson from this guide line and I know we all have witnessed someone speaking loudly out in public. When the occasion a rises that you need to take a call out in public, try to keep the conversation very brief and to the point.

One big concern these days is using the cells while driving. This is something you NEVER want to do. We all understand that when you use your cell phone when driving, we are putting our lives at risk and the lives of others. Cell phones are responsible for 2,600 deaths and over 330, 000 injuries in the United States every year according to the journal's publisher the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. A study done by Car & Driver magazine showed slower reaction times of cell phone users which increased the risk of accidents. The study showed texting while driving to be the worse. The testers performing the study indicated they had no idea texting would slow down reaction times so much, tester indicated "Like most folks , we believe we are good drivers, but the real key to driving safely is keeping your eyes and mind on the road. Texting distracts any driver from those primary tasks" (Whitney). If you must use your cell phone when driving, pull off to the side of the road or into a parking area and then use your phone. Following these guidelines will keep everyone safe.

One of the biggest no's when using your cell phone in public is using inappropriate language or talking about private manners. We have all heard someone in public speaking very loudly and talking about personal and many times inappropriate things. No one needs or would want to know for example the color of your husband's boxers. Please just use some everyday common sense and keep your personal conversations personal. If you do receive a call in public, offer to call the person back, step outside or to a quiet around where you can speak more freely and openly to the other person.

Cell phones can rudely interrupt conversations. I think we have all had this happen to us, someone is talking to us when suddenly they are interrupted by a phone call. Instead of communicating to us this call is important and excusing themselves, they abruptly take the call while ignoring us. It is very annoying especially when someone was telling us a story for example and right at the climax receive a call and leave us hanging while taking the call. Makes no sense why a voice over the phone would be more important than a live breathing human being in front of you. Again if this situation occurs don't take the call if you don't have too, the person you are speaking with in person should have priority over the person calling you on your cell phone. In the event you do need to take the call, communicate to the person that this is an important call and you need to take it. Try and keep it brief so the person you are with will not become frustrated waiting on you. It is very frustrating when someone takes a call on your time and you are standing around waiting on them. When this happens, simply walk away to let the other person know you are tired of waiting. Simply try and use some common sense in this situation and try and put yourself in the others persons shoes, it's no fun waiting on someone to finish their phone conversation on your time. Just remember how it feels when this happens to you and treat people the same way you would want to be treated.

Checking cell phones in movie theaters is another big no no and is very annoying to others around you. When we go to a theater to watch a movie, you simply want to get away from the world for a few hours and relax. It very frustrating when the lights go out and the movie starts to hear someone's cell phone ring or we see someone's face become light because they are sitting there texting or checking voice messages. This is very annoying and we shouldn't have to experience this while we are trying to relax and watch the movie. The simple rule when going to a movie is when the lights go out turn your cell phone off so everyone around you can enjoy the movie. The world won't stop if you are unavailable for a few hours while the movie is showing.

Texting while talking has to be one of my most rude and extremely most annoying practices I've seen in recent years. There's