Comments on: How to Practice Cellular Phone Etiquette

on 3/10/2007 If you're in the car with other people, say, "excuse me, I have a phone call," before picking up, and try to end your conversation as soon as possible. Nothing's worse than having someone in the backseat talking on the phone, and not being able to tell if they're talking to you or another!

on 9/26/2006 Nobody wants to hear your conversation when you're walking in the supermarket or outside walking around. No one is happy when your phone chirps and you have it blasted on speaker phone. Doing this is inconsiderate to not only those around you, but the person on the other end who might be saying things that are just meant for your ears only.

on 9/13/2006 Nothing is more frustrating to be on a crowded bus or train with someone who is chatting away on a cell phone. It is one thing if you are quiet and have something important to tell someone (ie, my train is getting in at ___, can you please pick me up?) but it is quite another to be discussing loudly this week's football picks/celebrity sightings, etc.

on 8/4/2006 Working at a retail store, I help customers who are on their cell phones quite frequently. The worst situation was when a woman pulled out a pad of paper to write and communicate with me while she was talking on her phone to someone. I found this to be extremely rude. Please be considerate of your cashiers and assistants when you go into a store. Talking on your cell phone while they are trying to help you is very disrespectful and rude.

on 3/13/2006 I can't count the number of people who come into my work, on their cell phones and expect me to give them my attention when I don't have theirs. Please understand that if someone does not have your full attention, they will not help you! For example, the bank practices that if you are on your phone you will be skipped over! You can always call the other person back, it's very rude to be on your phone while demanding services from a business.

on 11/22/2005 I am a manicurist and the bane of my existence is the cell phone. I can't tell you how many times I have just applied polish to a client's nails then the phones rings, and like Pavlov's dogs; they have answer the phone. People should think about where you are and what you are doing in regard to the appropriate times to talk on your cell phone.

on 11/22/2005 Do not talk to someone while in the bathroom. The feedback changes when you enter this very private area and a person can tell that you have other things on your mind. Very undignified.

on 11/22/2005 Before you complain about a cell phone ringing, think about the person with the phone. It might be an important call, like a sick child, or a sick family member. Their clothing might be too thick for them to feel a phone vibrate. Have etiquette in public, instead of insulting a complete stranger!

on 11/22/2005 A good rule of thumb when inside an establishment on where you should use your phone is where the house phones are located. If you're in dining in a restaurant, excuse yourself. There are far better places to be on your cell phone than at the table. Keep in mind where you would go to use the phone before there were cell phones.

on 11/22/2005 If at all practical, keep your ringer on vibrate-only; that way the only person aware that your phone is ringing is you. Even if you've forgotten to turn the phone off in a quiet place, no one else has to hear it, and you don't have to answer it.

on 11/22/2005 No one, I repeat, NO one will turn to look at you when your phone's ringing and say "Hey, don't pick up that phone yet, the ringtone sounds really cool and I want to hear it till the end!" --Unless, of course, they're sarcastic and would like to make their point clear. No one wants to hear fancy and shrill ringtones doing a feeble imitation of a real song, so please make sure that your selected ringtone doesn't annoy anyone before walking out with it.

on 11/22/2005 When calling anyone on his or her cellphone, first ask whether it is a good time to speak or whether you should call later. Then ask whether you can call him or her on a land phone instead. -Pratip Sen Gupta

on 11/22/2005 .....are just as bad as their driving counterparts. Please don't hog the road, pull over; I walk as proactively as I can to avoid you, but you're always there!

on 11/22/2005 Because of cell phone technology, users cannot hear themselves in the speaker when speaking, unlike on a land phone. Make sure you keep your voice at a modulated level. Don't speak any louder than you would to someone right in front of you, and you can usually speak more soflty than that! Cell phone speakers talking too loudly in public is one of the main complaints of observers.

on 11/22/2005 Consider finishing your phone call BEFORE entering a business or public place. If that is not possible, have the common courtesy to at least stop talking when you walk up to a person who is there to help you, such as a receptionist, store clerk, or even that drive-through cashier! Conduct your face-to-face business first, then go back to that phone call.