Cell Phone Etiquette ……taking call, making calls and texting

Cell phone etiquette is evolving every day because of all the new technology that is being developed so that we can stay in touch and have the world at our fingertips. I love the google feature on my Blackberry that can help me with definitions with the simple press of a button, or better yet, I can speak the words into my phone and the information that I am seeking appears like magic. What’s not to like?

There are many etiquette breaches with cell phones. The one thing that stands out for cell phones is that we know that we are breaching etiquette, but it just seems okay…just this once. Well, breach no more, here are Cell Phone Etiquette tips to get you through for now, and as soon as new technology becomes available, the etiquette tips will evolve.

Top Five Cell Phone Etiquette Tip

1. Turn your phone to silent mode when you are in a setting that requires a quiet atmosphere: theatres, restaurants, places of worship, at a business conference, during a meeting, etc.

2. Do not take a cell phone call in any of the places mentioned in #1. If you must talk, leave the area to be discrete. Likewise, do not make a cell phone call in these places.

3. If you are expecting an important cell phone call and you are going into a meeting, mention at the start that you are expecting this important call and that you will simply exit the meeting to take the brief call. It is too late once the phone rings to explain.

4. When you are in a retail establishment and you are checking out or working with a sales person, do not just answer your phone and ignore the sales person. This applies to banking transactions as well. Show some respect by minimally saying excuse me and if the call is important, be very brief and let the caller know that you’ll call them back. It is better not to take the call at all.

5. Texting above or below a tablecloth at a restaurant is considered rude. If you consider the text as urgent, evaluate the situation and if it is a must, often it is best to leave the table.

Cell phone etiquette knowledge is easy to know, but hard to follow, because it is so easy to just touch that little button and say hello. Practice cell phone etiquette and you will be pleased with your results and so will those around you.

Joan R. Stokely (jrs@thesocietyofdiplomacy.com) is the President of The Society of Diplomacy, Inc., a protocol and etiquette consulting firm. We offer extraordinary training programs for corporate professionals who desire greater success in their careers. Increase your knowledge of business protocol and etiquette, your corporate image, international intelligence and social skills by attending programs specifically designed for you.

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