Carol Bory's Business Etiquette Blog » Cell Phone Etiquette

Are You Too Connected?

Carol Bory — Tue, 12 May 2009 00:01:00 +0000

Jennifer Elliott, a graduate assistant at the University of Virginia, shows us what an “always-on” connected world of cell phone users looks like without the element of civility.

Parts of her story will more than likely resonate with you.

To view the video go to Ms. Elliott’s website and click on the image located under the words “Digital Story.” Then share with us how you balance the immediacy of the cell phone ring with the here-and-now moment.

UPDATE Two days after publishing this post White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs seized a reporter’s cell phone after it wouldn’t stop ringing during a briefing. Watch the humorous yet poignant video.

Related Post
Business Etiquette: The Hang Up Act

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Are You Too Connected? is a post from: Carol Bory's Business Etiquette Blog

Business Etiquette: The Hang Up Act

Carol Bory — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:13:00 +0000

Information Week today published an article on the approval of The Hang Up Act from The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee which would ban mobile phone calls during flights.

Although a survey from the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA shows 63% of people are against the use of cell phones during flights, I don’t think passing a law is the appropriate avenue to ask people to show restraint.

I remember a post by Dr. P.M. Forni commenting on quality of life laws and I agree with his comment. “I belong to a long line of people who believe that when we are civil we obey the unenforceable. We obey, that is, an unwritten code of decency because it’s the right thing to do and not because we are going to be put in jail if we don’t. I think we should educate our children, train them in civility, good manners and courtesy, and then hope that will become part of their identity, part of their emotional and cognitive kits.”

Let’s see what The U.S. House of Representatives has to say about the proposed Hang Up Act.

UPDATE This bill never became law. The bill was proposed in a previous session of Congress (110th session) and at the end of each session all proposed bills and resolutions that haven’t passed are cleared from the books.

Business Etiquette: The Hang Up Act is a post from: Carol Bory's Business Etiquette Blog

Cell Phone Etiquette Tips for Tween Talkers

Carol Bory — Mon, 21 May 2007 16:40:00 +0000

According to Yankee Group, a technology research and consulting firm, approximately 6.6 million of the 20 million American tweens – defined as 8 to 12 year-olds – had a cell phone by end of 2006. By the year 2010 the number of tweens having a cell phone is expected to increase to 10.5 million.

The digital divide is definitely decreasing.

The decision to purchase a cell phone for a tween is as individual as each family is unique. Concerns regarding safety, maturity, and responsibility will undoubtedly factor in the decision. For parents that decide a cell phone is right for their child, below are a few etiquette tips for the talking tween.

Maintain a distance of 20 feet from others when talking on a cell phone.
Use a soft voice when talking. A loud voice is disruptive to others.
Keep the cell phone off in classrooms, school assemblies and the library.
Do not accept calls at the movie, restaurant, elevator, museum, cemetery, theater, dentist or doctor office, place of worship or the public restroom.
Do not accept calls at birthday parties or holiday celebrations.
Keep the cell phone away from the dinner table. Focus on the family conversation during dinner.
Let a call go to voice mail if talking with another person. Or, notify the person ahead of time if you are expecting a call from a parent and then excuse yourself to answer the call.

Cell Phone Etiquette Tips for Tween Talkers is a post from: Carol Bory's Business Etiquette Blog