Cell Phone Etiquette: together we can make a difference

Cell phones have nearly become a required tool in modern business. However as with any other tool there are best practices and social norms to consider. However, many otherwise civilized individuals are breaking these unwritten rules in some sort of twisted homage to the almighty mobile phone. Let us begin with the strangely uncommon common sense guidelines. 

Do not interrupt a meeting, lecture, performance, or other group activity by having your cell ring or even worse by answering a call. It is the height of rudeness to state through words or actions that "you people are not as important as this other person who might be calling me." If you expect such a critical call you have no business engaging in other activities, in fact you should probably call the other party to attend to your ultra important issue post haste. The only exception to this rule is if you are required by law to provide life-saving aid in case of an emergency. 

Do not set your ring tone to anything other than a ring or tone. Tinny sounding music, no matter how great the song, is never a welcome surprise in any setting. We do not need to know that you love disco or that at heart you think hip-hop is "da bomb."

Do not carry multiple electronic devices on your belt. This does not make you look more professional... it makes you look like a geek. The only exception to this rule is if you are Batman.

Avoid wearing a bluetooth or other headset when you are not on the phone. If possible avoid this even when you are on the phone. The 'Judy from Time Life' look has never caught on and it is unlikely that you are the individual to "set it off." Plus, it is often hard for us to determine if you are talking to us, yourself, or someone on your phone.

Finally, a word on pagers... no. 

I hope these few tips have helped, and rest assured more electronic device guidelines are headed your way in a later post.