Cell Phone Courtesy
By Beverly Samuel, MS, AICI, SAC Dip. 

With so many people using cell phones, it is no wonder why the entire month of July is dedicated to cell phone courtesy.  Of course, with internet access, video, photo and music capabilities, using cell phones warrants extra caution.  How can you avoid annoying others with your cell phone?

 Is This a Good Time?

 Since it is now possible to reach people anywhere they might be, regardless of what they might be doing, ask if they are busy before launching into conversation.  Asking, “Is this a good time?” makes people feeling like you respect their time.  If it isn’t a good time, ask for a better time to call back.

 As Maria Everding of the Etiquette Institute is fond of saying, “Unless you are expecting a kidney,” turn off your cell phone or leave it in the car if you are in a theater, church, restaurant or seminar.  If you have to take a call, keep your phone on vibrate and excuse yourself to go someplace where you won’t disturb others.

 Avoid putting a face-to-face conversation on hold while you take a call.  If you are in a meeting, you risk your reputation or career by offending your clients, colleagues, or boss.  Answering your phone now indicates that the call is more important than they are.  Let it go to voicemail - you don’t have to answer every time it rings!  If it is important, the person will leave a message or call back.  Reasonable people do not expect you to be available 24/7.

 Get off the phone if you are next in line at a store, drive-through, or doctors office.  Using hand signals to give instructions to receptionists or restaurant wait staff gives the impression that they are too insignificant for you to end your call.

 Planes, trains and automobiles are great places to hold people captive and make them listen to your calls.  When people are forced to listen to you talk, especially in close quarters, it is an invasion of their privacy.  Avoid dirty looks from annoyed passengers by using text messaging.

Yes, We Can Hear You Now

 How many times have you tried to engage in a conversation with someone you thought was talking to you only to find out that they were wearing an earpiece and talking to someone else?  It is confusing and embarrassing!

 Talk at normal conversation levels.  Cell phone microphones are sensitive, so they can hear you; we all can!  If the cell phone signal is bad, talking louder won’t help.  Find a location with better signal strength.

 Not letting people know you are on speaker phone, especially when others are around, leaves them open to unknowingly exposing sensitive business or personal information to strangers.

Use mute whenever possible while on a conference call, especially if you have pets or children, are on the road, or are sitting outside.

 Use generic ringtones.  Not everyone shares your taste in music, and not all ringtones are appropriate for business, the office or around children.  If you don’t like the preloaded ringtones, use the vibrate mode.

 The other party would probably rather wait a few minutes to have a conversation than listen to your bathroom activity.

Other Tips to Consider

 If it is a business cell phone, don’t let your children answer it.

Avoid using your phone while driving.  Pull over or use hands free capabilities.

Vibrate mode accomplishes the same result as a ring tone.  Use it whenever possible.

Ask permission before snapping someone’s picture; it is an invasion of their privacy.

 The best rule of all for being respectful with cell phone use is the Golden Rule.  Follow it and you will be certain to not impose yourself on those around you.

Beverly Samuel, MS, AICI, SAC Dip., is a Certified Image Consultant, Certified Etiquette Consultant and Peak Performance Coach who delivers customized programs on etiquette, professional presentation, verbal and non-verbal communication to meet the needs of private individuals, professionals and business entities.  Beverly is also a facilitator of Get Clients Now!, a marketing program that helps entrepreneurs and business owners get more client, get better clients, and make more money with less effort.  Connect with Beverly at www.PhoenixImageInstitute.com or Beverly@PhoenixImageInstitute.com.