Cell Phone Etiquette...is there such a thing?

Today, we live in a world driven by technology.  Smart Phones, iPad, laptops and so on, all dictate how we live our lives.  They allow us to tap into our social networking sites (facebook, twitter, myspace), find nearby friends via foursquare, you can check and respond to emails, and some even allow you to download word and excel documents to view, update, and then send back to your boss. 

Being a very avid cell phone "junkie", I was a little shocked when I read To Text or Not To Text by Jenna Wortham.  I, like her, have never really thought twice about pulling my phone out and knocking out a quick reply to an email, or checking up on friends via facebook or twitter apps.

I’m tethered to my phone. If I haven’t seen it for a few minutes, or it’s suspiciously silent, I start to wonder about its well-being and feel compelled to check it. That’s because it feels like a lifeline to my circle of friends, keeps me up to date and in the know and doubles as an extension of my brain. It’s a really easy way to settle a bet, plot out a route to the next bar or find that name of an actor or album that is hovering elusively on the tip of the tongue.

This is how I feel. I am so addicted to my phone, that sometimes I think it vibrates when it really didn't. Sadly, without my cellphone, I think I would be lost. Social tools, emails, quick responses for questions via text messaging, movie info, directions to any locations with a built in GPS and google maps app, and last and CERTAINLY not least the Calender that links into Outlook express and Facebook events to help keep me up to date and on track.

My little sister, is worse than me. When we all go out to eat, she will hold her phone and text non-stop. Ignore the table conversation, and sometimes won't even eat. I talk on my phone what I would consider an average amount. However, when I looked at our bill, I saw that my sister had only talked on the phone for a total of 18 minutes last month, and that was all to our mother, and were incoming calls. So, I was shocked. She doesn't talk on the phone, at all. She just text. That would drive me insane, it must be a generational thing.

Later in her post she talks about some basic rules she has, and looking back, I think I may be in the clear.

I don't pull my phone out while eatting dinner with friends, unless we need to find a time for a movie, or something to do. During dinner, I won't text or take a call. I find it very rude when it is done to me, so why do it to someone else? That being said, when the conversation hits a slow spot, I do find myself wanting to check facebook and twitter.

During class, I refuse to check it once the teacher begins lecturing. It does, however, sit on the desk beside my notebook so I can glance and see every little bit of action going on in the "real world".

I don't check it during any meetings or anything "official". I would hate for my boss and fellows to think that I was doing something for entertainment while we are trying to handle and take care of business.

In response, I think there are a few baseline guidelines we should all follow.

1) Don't pull it out in a meeting/class/presentation, even if its for work. The others talking have no idea that when your fingers are moving at a million letters a second that you are replying to your boss about a project and not talking to Jane or John about getting drinks tonight.

2) Dinner is off limits. Unless it is talked about and you're offering to look up information for the rest of the evening, or it is needed for the conversation, just leave it away. Excuse yourself, go to the bathroom, and check it there. Pulling your phone out can kill a conversation.

3) Establish "phone free" time. I've been working on this, and I like to think I am getting better. I have started leaving my phone in the car when I go into a restaurant or a movie theater. I believe these small segments of time without my phone helps me get away and enjoy the company I have with me, instead of thinking about work/class/whatever else may be incoming via the phone.

With the above rules, I think it is perfectly acceptable if you're driving in a car, walking around town, or everyone is just hanging out in the living room having a drink and sharing conversation.



What are your thoughts?