Lists of Cell Phone Etiquette

For class tomorrow I read a few articles on Cell phone etiquette. There were a lot of “10 Commandments” of cell phone etiquette, and not all of them were the same. Although most authors agreed that respecting the people around you is the most important thing to consider when using a cell phone, some had varying view about what was considerate. Here is a summary (with out all of the “thou’s” and “thy’s”):

OfficeSolutions (magazine)
1. Be courteous and don’t force others to overhear your conversations
2. don’t let your phone ring in the theatre
3. or in a restaurant
4. or during an important meeting
5. Put the phone of silent and vibrate when you think a ring would be disruptive
6. screen incoming calls with caller ID
7. let voicemail take unimportant calls
8. Text when available
9. do not shout into your phone
10. Don’t drive and talk on the phone

I personally think that 7 and 8 could be perceived as somewhat rude. Texting is not appropriate in all situations and even if a call is not urgent does not mean that you should not answer. How do you know if a call is urgent unless you pick up the phone. I also think this list leaves out a few rules that others lists deal more effectively with.

Harriette Cole, author or How to Be: Contemporary Etiquette for African Americans and creative director of EBONY magazine
1. Avoid private chats in public situations
2. Don’t talk on your phone while driving
3. Don’t text while driving
4. Keep ring tone volume low
5. Don’t be the center of attention
6. Avoid other’s personal space (don’t talk on the phone too closely to another person)
7. Don’t use the cell phone on a date
8. Text for brief information
9. Do not text when you are with someone in person
10. Do not wear a headset when not in use

I think these rules are a lot more comprehensive than the first list. 8, like the 8 of the last list is questionable in my opinion. I guess you must evaluate how the other person wants to communicate. I personally find texting impersonal. I also have to pay per text message, so I appreciate when people call.

LIFESTYLES magazine did not have a 10 commandments list but here is some of their comments:
1. respect people’s public space
2. It’s okay to talk in public and on public transportation as long as you use a low voice – be discreet
3. Follow establishment rules (in restaurants etc) if they limits to cell phone use
4. Let the recipient know that you are on a cell phone in case you fade in and out
5. put your phone on vibrate in public so that you don’t bother people with your ring tone
6. Two people interviewed had different ideas of whether or not it was appropriate to answer the phone during a conversation

I have big problems with this list. I do not think that it is appropriate to have private conversations in a public place as long as you have a low voice. Everyone can still here every detail of your conversation. No one really wants to hear someone else’s phone conversation. I also think that using a phone in a restaurant or other public establishment is rude for the same reason – everyone can hear you.

4 is a little bit out of date. Most people know that when someone breaks up, they are on a cell phone. Cell phones are so ubiquitous that people are not alarmed if someone’s call is fuzzy.

5. Vibrations can still be heard. Especially when it is quiet – such as in church or in class (esp. during a test). Having the phone on vibrate can be rude in certain situations

I think answering the phone during a face-to-face conversation is the epitome of rudeness. I know a lot of people don’t feel this way, but when someone answers their phone and ignores me, I get ticked.

Here’s the final list from author Charlotte Ford.
1. Don’t talk in places where people are forced to overhear your conversations
2. Don’t have annoying ringtones
3. Turn off cell phones in public performances
4. Do not wear more than two wireless devices on your belt
5. Do not drive and talk on the phone
6. Do not wear an earpiece while with other people
7. Use a normal volume on the phone
8. do not grow too attached you your cell phone – don’t use it at home
9. Don’t try to impress people with your cell phone
10. don’t use a phone in a restaurant

Some of these rules, such as 2,4, and 9 seem to be the author’s personal pet peeves, but I suppose that they annoy a lot of people

I think the major theme in all of these articles was to respect other people’s privacy and right not to be forced to overhear your phone conversation. The authors all have slightly different notions of what this means.