July - National Cell Phone Courtesy Month Tips

July is National Cell Phone Courtesy Month. Use extra caution to avoid annoying others with your cell phone usage.
1. Unlike land lines, cell phones go everywhere - when you call someone be sure to ask "is this a good time"?
2. It's okay not to answer your phone. Let it roll to voicemail. If you are in the middle of something important -such as dinner - why would you answer your phone? It makes the caller uncomfortable that they interrupted you.
3. Unless you are expecting a kidney, leave your cell phone in the car if you are going to church, the theater, seminar or a restaurant. If you are expecting an important call at a restaurant put your phone on vibrate and excuse yourself when the call comes through. Then go someplace to talk where you will not interrupt others.
4. Don't put face-to-face conversations on hold while you take a call. You risk offending clients, colleagues or your boss.
5. Get off the phone if you are next in line at the store, post office, doctors office etc. Using hand signals to give instructions to a waiter or receptionist says they are too insignificant for you to end your call.
6. Planes, trains and automobiles are not great places to hold people captive and make them listen to your calls. When people are forced to listen to you talk it is an invasion of their privacy. Use text messaging instead.
7. Talk at normal conversation levels. If the cell phone signal is bad talking louder will not help.
8. Use mute while on conference calls - especially if you have pets and children.
9. The other party would probably rather wait a few minutes to have a conversation than listen to your bathroom activity. TMI
10. Use generic ringtones. Not everyone shares your taste in music and not all ringtones are appropriate for business, the office or around children.
11. Avoid using the phone while driving or use hands free capabilities.
12. Let others know when you are on speaker phone, if not it leaves them open to unknowingly exposing sensitive business or personal information to strangers.
13. How many times have you thought someone was talking to you only to find out they were using an earpiece and talking to someone else? It's confusing and embarrassing.
Spread the word. Discuss cell phone manners with friends and family members.
Enjoy your day!

Joyfully,
Chris