Cell Phone Etiquette

The cell phone industry wants as many people as possible to use the benefits of mobile telecommunications; ie: to use their services. Heck, that's how they make a living. Some of them encourage people to use their cell phones in a responsible manner and have even gone so far as to include an etiquitte guide along with the manuel. They say things such as be considerate of others and be aware of situations and places where using your cell phone might annoy and/or offend others. I imagine we have ALL had it happen.

1. If the cell phone is ON, it can always ring (unless you have it set on vibrate only) - most women don't set it to vibrate only as it is in their purse where they would not feel it trying to *connect with them*. lol So, 1st order of courtesy would be to make sure your ringer is OFF when in a place where you don't want it going off - (like in church and the ringtone is set to a verse from some heavy-metal band)

2. When you are in a public place - make not if there is a sign anywhere that requests you to turn off your cell phone.

3. If you are unclear, go outdoors to make calls or receive them or go to another room to make/receive your call if you might be disturbing others.

Face it - your home phone doesn't ring at the library, why should your cell phone?

4. USE the useful features of text messaging, voice mail, and vibration -- These features can all be used to receive important calls without disturbing others; If You have to make the call, excuse yourself and simply go to a private space to make your call.

5. Never ever leave your cell phone on in a hospital or a public airplane -- FAR better safe than sorry!

6. If you need to keep your phone on in an *inappropriate place* for an important call, again -- put it on vibrate mode and have it in your pocket or the like. It's the ring of the phone in inappropriate places and at inappropriate times (like church or the movie theater) which annoy people the most.

7. There are some places where you should never talk on a cell phone or be sending text messages and where the ringtone(s) are ALWAYS considered highly unacceptable:

HOSPITALS

Public Air-Craft

AMBULANCES

Movie Theaters

Any type of service (ex: baptism)

Weddings

Confrences

Funerals and Wakes

Retirement Homes (Pacemakers abound in such places!)

Speeches

Churches

Lectures

Libraries

Museums

During Tours

Quiet Resturants (any resturant really)

Quiet Lounges

I am sure there are many more.....

In these places, turn your cell phone off and remember to check it is off before you enter the building. You can always check your voicemail or text messages later. If you cannot do this, you have a problem! :}

8. Making a call in a loud bar may be okay, but talking loudly in a confined space like a ski-lift, a subway or train tends to infringe on others personal space. An over-crowded sub-way - well, you just never know what may be the last straw of the day for anyone! Be aware of where you are and who you are with and what others are doing before deciding to make or accept a call. Also, a text message can generally suffice until you are in a *free zone*. Think about privacy!

9. Speak quietly - cell phones have very sensitive microphones that can pick even the softest voice, so there is no need to talk loudly or yell. If you are having trouble hearing the other caller, check that you have the volume on your phone set high enough.

10. You don't always have to answer! (again, if you can't STOP yourself, you have a problem! :}- let the call go to voice mail.

If it's a natural reflex to answer your ringing phone and you've forgotten to put it on silent or vibrate mode and it rings at a tres' inappropriate moment, quickly send the call to voice mail (many cell phones this is done by pressing the hang-up (END) key).

11. Ever hear the term "Love the one you're with"? If you receive a call while you are having a conversationwith someone f2f, send the call to voicemail. Your first priority should be to BE with the person you are with f2f.

If you are expecting an important call, tell the person you're with in advance you are expecting an important call; so they know before the phone rings and you start talking and they feel ignored. And please, excuse yourself before taking the call.

12. Messaging is also a great way to communicate, but don't send obscene, offensive or threatening text, voice, picture or any other sort of *impolite message. Take note: It is a criminal offence to use a cellular or mobile phone to menace or harass someone. The same goes for your landline home phone -- receivers can save messages and easily identify you as the sender. The court time, fines and even jail time should be enough of a deterant should you be the sort who is rude enough to wish to engage in this type of behavior in any event.

13. VIP - Respect other peoples privacy when using inphone cameras. In-phone cameras are an Awesome feature but shouldn't be used anywhere a normal camera would be considered inappropriate; such as locker rooms or toilets. You should ask for permission before you take ANYONES photo; be it with a phone OR a camera. Also keep in mind that some places do not allow the use of cameras and may refuse entry to anyone with one. I noticed this especially true while on tours of old castles. Imagine the damage to the ancient things after 50,000 flashes going off each tourist season! Think, think, think!! It's WHY they have postcards! :}

14. If a place you are visiting does not want you to use a cell phone and/or camera while you are there (where-ever *there* happens to be) Simply Respect that. It's not like you bring your landline home phone with you anywhere--cell phones are a handy helpful asset in todays world. It does NOT make them a necessity even if YOU think they are! IT HAS NOT BEEN ALL THAT LONG AGO THEY DID NOT EVEN EXIST.

15. Just have some decent MANNERS! :} An accepted code of usage is not hard to ascertain ex: accepted conventional social behavior. Decorum suggests dignity and a sense of what is becoming or appropriate for a person of good breeding. Sound too old school for you? Well, I think we could ALL use a bit of a dose of it. And That's what I think....

Investigative Resources LLC

http://www.unlisted-etcetera.com

http://www.cell-phone-numbers.com

http://investigativeresources.co.uk

Thank you for your valuable business!

============================

New Memebers Site!! - June - 2008/Totally New!™

http://www.unlisted-etcetera.com/membershippage.html

.