Lately I have noticed more and more "cell-free zone" signs in offices and public places to encourage proper cell phone etiquette. Last week I was picking up a prescription and behind the counter was a very large sign that read: "We will be happy to help you once you finish your cell phone conversation." Personally, I appreciate these signs. Don't get me wrong, I love my cell phone and appreciate the convenience it offers, but these addictive devices can often be intrusive and used at the most inappropriate times.
Case in point: This morning I walked into a public bathroom in an airport lounge and as I sat down on the porcelain throne, the woman next to me started speaking. At first I assumed she was asking for a friendly "help a sister out under the stall toilet paper pass" but I quickly realized she was not talking to me at all - she was on her cell phone. The bathroom was so quiet that I could also clearly hear the man on the other end of her cell phone. Suddenly my bladder got very bashful in the presence of this mystery man who was not invited into this bathroom. I couldn't help but listen to the conversation, hoping some kind of emergency was being discussed thereby warranting taking a call in the john. Nope. They were actually discussing business in a place where the only business that should be conducted is personal.
I considered saying something like, "Excuse me lady but could you please complete your business call when your pants are on?" - but decided that someone who talks on her cell phone while sitting on the toilet probably would not respond well to being interrupted. She would probably think I was the rude one. I also considered making as much noise as I possibly could muster, including flushing the toilet multiple times, but then I would indeed be the rude one. So I took care of my business and left the bathroom before the other woman exited her "phone-booth."
Noticing my upset, I reminded myself that what happened really wasn't that big of a deal and I let it go. But it did get me thinking about cell-tiquette - including my own. We learn to put our napkins on our laps and use the smallest fork on the left for a starter course, but where is Emily Post when it comes to cell phone etiquette? I thought about times when I continued a cell phone conversation when making a purchase, ignoring the human being behind the cash register. And I am definitely guilty of looking at my phone when it rings or a text comes in, diverting my attention from the person I am with. Where are my cell phone manners?
I encourage you to consider polishing your cell-tiquette. Complete a conversation before entering a public place. Silence your phone when you are in a relatively quiet area. Ignore a phone call that comes in when you are doing something (that is what voice mail is for). Turn your phone OFF whenever you are engaged with someone so that you can fully be present. Our cell phones are wonderful blessings yet they can also be unwelcomed distractions.
Most importantly, cell-tiquette is not just for the benefit of the people around you who are unwillingly subjected to your (usually loud) cell phone conversations. You reap the benefits as well. Your cell phone does take you away from fully taking in the present moment and the people and things around you.
And I'd like to complete my rant on cell-etiquette today with a quote from an iconic expert on etiquette, Emily Post: "Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use." So to the unknown Chatty Cathy from the airport bathroom, the next time you take a call in public please consider the feelings of those of us who'd like a little more privacy and silence.
- Christine
Follow Christine Hassler on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Christinhassler
Nobody had the nerve to tell her to SSHHHHH.
I do agree that it is rude to take or make calls while you are with company. Your attention should be dedicated to the person with whom you are currently in conversation. I get that.
I also understand that knowing that the person at the other end of the conversation is off the opposite sex when the call is taking place in a public restroom might very well be disturbing. But why exactly is it rude to converse while you are in the restroom? It is a restroom, not a library!
I do think it is rude to hold up a check out line or to disturb a movie experience or ... but there is no need to demonize a phone conversation when an ordinary conversation would be considered alright, is there?
Two people sitting/standing near each other naturally modulate their voices to maintain tone and volume appropriate to their proximity and surroundings. They utilize gesture and facial expression for emphasis and to convey emotion. Absent the presence of an actual conversational partner, a cell phone user projects his/her voice indiscriminately into space, speaking louder and making more exaggerated remarks in order to make up for the lack of nearness and physical cues. That's why cell phone conversation sounds so affected and stagy to those of us forced to listen in.
Someone having a cell phone conversation in a bathroom violates an agreement of privacy most of us expect in a public restroom-- where we all presume to mind our own business while we're doing our business. Wouldn't you feel uncomfortable if someone were openly making a tape recording or taking photographs?
I laughed and refused to take the bet because she, of course, was correct.
Lo and behold. Not only did it happen, but it was the person sitting directly in front of us, who was there while we were talking about it earlier. I said "Oh my god" loudly, my husband elbowed me, my mom cracked up laughing, and my brother nearly spit popcorn (my father continued to watch the movie, because he wasn't paying any attention).
Point of the story - it never fails. Rude people are rude because they don't think about anyone other than themselves. No matter how much cell-tiquette discussion there may be, rude people will continue to be rude, and we gadget geeks will continue to provide them with the newest and most annoying way to be rude.
All we can really do is point out individual rudeness and embarass them for it, which is admittedly, highly satisfying.
Guess what she was doing. :)
Gone are 9-5 work hours (like it or not).
Sometimes i have to excuse myself because i have to take a job - even if its 9 pm and im at dinner. If i left it till i got home, or till the morning, the job will go to someone else.
In protest, I started talking to my companion -- at a very loud volume -- about a "personal" topic. Incredible as this may seem, the rude cell-phone talker stopped, looked at me and declared me "so rude" for talking about that so loudly in public. HONEST!!! She went back to her cell conversation.