Rules We Follow: but never agreed to

Evidently there was a meeting at some point where some great minds came up with a set of behavior rules that most of us follow in our daily lives. While I agree with many of them there are a few that we might want to break if for no other reason than to entertain ourselves.

It is understood that when you ride in an elevator you are supposed to face the doors. I think that is ridiculous. Next time you're sharing an elevator with other people turn around and face them. Then you can start asking questions like you are a quiz show host.

You are also not supposed to have people ride in the trunk of your car. I can't explain the excitement created when you pull up to a gas station and pop your trunk to let out a passenger. You are guaranteed to get stares.

There are a lot of these rules set aside for public bathrooms. For example it is perfectly fine for women to go to the restroom in pairs or small groups, they can even hold hands on the way. Men however must go one at a time. From personal experience it is also against these rules to shake hands with anyone in the men's room. Eye contact is frowned upon and really is only acceptable if you are both washing your hands and making eye contact through the mirror. Also there is no looking down in the men's room. This is especially tough on those guys with low self esteem. Talking in the men's room is discouraged, but it seems to be acceptable if the conversation is held between two close friends or if the topic is sports related.

Next time you are looking for a few laughs try breaking some of the rules. You may be rewarded with applause or you may just get a bunch of strange looks but it will undoubtedly be interesting.

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.