National Cell Phone Courtesy Month

I have a love/hate relationship with my cell phone.  How about you?  A modern convenience or incessant intruder?  I can't decide.  


July is National Cell Phone Courtesy Month and I was thinking it's a good time to focus on a few important rules of phone etiquette.  I've culled the following from a couple of good cellphone sites.  For the most part, I've resisted the urge to editorialize since on occasion I have been known to engage in a few of these phone faux pas myself.  But on a few, I couldn't resist. 

1. Don't talk too loudly.

2. Don't hold inappropriate conversations in public.

In the last few years I have been witness to at least 3 or 4 separate one-sided conversations about weight loss goals and methods of birth control and their effectiveness.  Seriously.  

3. Don't interrupt face-to-face conversations to answer your cell phone.

4. Don't check your phone at the movies (or a Broadway show, a high school play or your daughter's piano recital, for that matter) even if you are just using your phone as a watch.  (see also #9)

Believe it or not, that little screen lighting up in a darkened theatre is a real distraction to a lot of us.  

5. Don't text while driving.

6. Don't text while talking.

7. Turn off your phone so you won't disturb live performances.

I was in church one Sunday when several pews in front of me a cell phone began to ring during the sermon.  The parishioner chose to ignore the incessant ringing until finally (and I kid not) the pastor said from the pulpit, "Why don't you answer?  We'll wait."

8. Consider your location before you answer your phone.

Number one on my list:  never answer your phone while you are in a stall in a public bathroom.  Seriously.