I don’t know about you, but I have seen many teens and adults commit faux pas with their cell phones when I’m out shopping, running errands, or visiting with others.
It could be that these people just didn’t realize that they were committing sins against cell phone etiquette with their device.
I know that when I first got a cell phone, I didn’t know what was socially acceptable and what wasn’t. Fortunately, I’ve since become more enlightened.
For that reason, I thought it would be a good idea to write a post to help teens learn about what is both polite and safe with cell phone use. Feel free to use this with your teen as you see fit.
Cell Phone Etiquette
Many teens and adults alike aren’t aware that they are violating the laws of cell phone etiquette when they use their device in certain situations. They are unknowingly being rude to the people around them by giving too much attention to their phones. Not only that, some people are actually unsafe with the way they use their phone. Let’s take a look at what is dangerous and what is unmannerly in the cell phone world.
Safety Tips
Before we get into the manners aspect of cell phone use, let’s make sure we know a few ground rules about safety.
- Don’t call or text while driving. It is too distracting and dangerous. It’s better to park your car, then talk or text.
- Don’t text private information. Text messages can be forwarded or cell phones can be stolen so be careful what you send.
Good Manners
Now let’s look at how you can keep from offending people with your phone.
- Use a normal tone of voice while speaking on your cell. Just because you can’t hear someone clearly doesn’t mean that he can’t hear you, so keep your voice down.
- When you are in public places, keep your distance. Try to stay about 10 feet or more from other people while chatting on your phone. Most people would rather not hear your conversation and you probably don’t want to share it.
- Don’t use your speaker phone in public. Not a good idea unless you want everyone around you to hear your conversation.
- Avoid talking about personal or sensitive topics in public. Again, people around you may be able to hear what you’re saying so be careful what you talk about. Your phone number, for example, should not be shared aloud when you are around other people unless you want all of those people calling you.
- Don’t look things up on your phone while you are talking with someone on that same phone. You can’t give the other person your full attention if you are surfing on the web at the same time.
- When you’re on the job, keep your phone put away. Use it only when you’re allowed to do so. Your boss can fill you in on this.
- Avoid texting or talking on your phone when you are having a face-to-face conversation with other people. The people in your immediate vicinity are more important than people on the other end of your cell phone. If you absolutely have to take a call or text (like if it’s from your mother), excuse yourself and step away.
- Don’t use your phone when having a meal with someone. This is true both at home and in a restaurant. As I said before, people you are visiting with in person should have your full attention. Also, keep in mind that it isn’t polite to make a waiter or waitress wait for you while you are talking or texting or surfing or anything else on your phone. Put your cell away when you need to talk to someone in person.
Keep Your Cell Phone Silent or Off in These Places
When you go into the places listed below, it’s a good idea to either mute your phone or turn it off entirely.
- Restaurants. Your stomach is more important than your phone.
- Churches and other places of worship. God is definitely more important than your phone.
- Buses and taxis and trains. Oh my.
- Planes. Keep your devices off when instructed to do so. You don’t want your phone’s signal to interfere with take off or landing.
- Theaters and auditoriums. If you don’t want the whole room to glare at you when your phone rings, turn it off.
- Schools. This includes colleges. And in case you weren’t aware of it, teachers and professors have an internal radar system for detecting cell phones. Trust me on this one.
- Elevators. Confined places and loud phones don’t mix.
- Waiting rooms. Make the person on the other end of the phone wait just like you are.
- Meetings. Unless you want to lose your job, keep your phone off or silent in meetings. Or better yet, don’t bring it.
- Museums. King Tut doesn’t want to hear your conversation and neither do other people in the museum.
- Libraries. Don’t disturb the silence.
- Bathrooms. No one likes to hear the toilet flush over the phone, so don’t chat in the bathroom.
By the way, many of the tips above are also true for other electronic devices such as eReaders, mp3 players and tablets. The basic rule for electronics is this: Don’t let your gadgets get in the way of your safety or personal relationships with others.
Kirt Manecke says
Hello Susan,
Thank you for the terrific article and tips. These are very important tips for kids (and adults!) to know. Many kids are not taught these manners at home. They are great tips for my friends too and I’m 53! 🙂
Thank you again,
Kirt
Susan Brown says
I’m glad you found them helpful.