According to the Pew Research Center, about 85 percent of American adults own a cell phone. The people surveyed said what they liked most about their cell phone was the convenience. I agree with that. I love having my phone with me in case of an emergency or to stave off boredom.
However, 67 percent of these people also said they check their phone for texts or calls even when their phone isn’t ringing or vibrating. That’s where phone etiquette becomes a problem.
Cell phones are everywhere these days and it’s impossible to find a place in which people are not using their phone in some capacity. Unfortunately, it seems many people are unaware that often times their phone use can be viewed as rude by other people.
I think it’s important for everyone to take time to think about how their cell phone use can bother others and consider how we can fix this problem.
First, if you are in class, church, a play, a meeting, an interview or any other situation in which your attention should be focused on one thing/person, put your phone away. According to Eau Claire’s Financial Aid office, a Wisconsin resident undergrad pays on average $18,450 per year to attend college. As a student, if you are going to spend time in class on your phone you would be better off dropping out of school and playing Angry Birds in your parents basement because then it’s free. There are very few things that are so important they can’t wait 50 minutes until class is over. Also, if professors have to devote all of their time to class without checking their phone you can pay them the same courtesy and respect.
Lower your voice, seriously. Feel free to talk on your phone in any public place, that is perfectly acceptable. However, I do not want to hear about your crappy boyfriend and how you think he gave you an STD while I drink my coffee at 9 in the morning. Some things are better left said in private. It’s a simple process, just check in with yourself every once in awhile and ask yourself, “Am I screaming into my phone?” and if you are, quiet your voice.
Put your phone on silent while in a movie, play, library, museum or any other quiet place. Were you born in a barn?
I know as students in college we all have part-time jobs, so this rule should be easy to understand. If you are standing in line, placing an order, banking, or doing anything that involves the interaction of another human being, end your phone call. It’s extremely difficult for an employee to do their job correctly if you are talking on the phone rather than paying attention to the task at hand. Also, it’s rude.
Quit texting when you are with other people, especially in one-on-one interactions. If I go to dinner with you it’s because I enjoy your company, not because I enjoy watching you text other people who are not there. By texting or constantly checking your phone, you’re saying that the company of the other person isn’t interesting or important. It’s rude. There’s nothing worse than when you say something to the person you are with, they pause and then look up from their phone and say, “What?” Enjoy the time you are spending with that person not with a person who isn’t physically present.
Research done at the University of Michigan found that cell phone use is contagious. People are more likely to pull out their phone if the person they are with has just done the same. If you are constantly checking your phone and texting the person you are with will follow suit. Conversation then becomes stagnant and spending time together becomes pointless. It would be better to stay home and text that person rather than meet in person with them.
This last rule is the one I am most guilty of. It’s easy to whip out our cell phones when we are uncomfortable or in an unfamiliar situation and pretend we are busy texting or sending an email. This happens on the first day of class, in waiting rooms, or on the bus. Would it be so horrible to talk to the person next to you? There’s always a possibility of learning something new or making a new friend.
Next time you get together with a group of friends have everyone turn off their phones and put them in a bowl. This way, you can devote all of your time and attention to the people you are with. It’s actually amazing how much fun you can have when you spend an entire evening away from your phone.
You can also try leaving the house one day without bringing your phone with you. It’s interesting to come back to it at the end of the day and realize how unimportant it really is.
Phone etiquette is something most of us don’t think about, but we should. Next time you are using your phone think about what you are doing, the situation you are in and the person you are with.