How is your tech etiquette? July is Cell Phone Courtesy Month

(PRLEAP.COM) July is Cell Phone Courtesy Month, so it’s a good time to look at your “tech etiquette” skills. According to an informal survey done by AT&T Wireless a couple of years ago, 95% of Americans believe they use their cell phones in a courteous manner, but that 42% rarely or never do. Hmm. The numbers don’t quite add up. Do most people really believe they use their cell phones courteously?

“Some people believe it’s their right to speak on their cell wherever they want,” says Barbara Busey, president of the training firm Presentation Dynamics (www.presentationdynamics.net). “But those who are subjected to obnoxious phone rings and forced to listen to one-sided conversations against their will are having their rights violated.” Her company offers some guidelines for using cell phones courteously:

1. When in meetings or any gathering of people, turn your phone ringer off or at least to vibrate.
2. You don’t have to answer. The meeting you’re in or the people you’re with should take precedence over any incoming or outgoing calls. Let your voice mail take a message. Call back when you have some private time.
3. If, when you’re around others, you’re expecting a call that can’t be postponed, alert your companions ahead of time. Then excuse yourself when the call comes in and leave the area to talk.
4. Consider any public place—where there are other people within earshot—a no cell zone. This means a grocery store, waiting room, restaurant, airport gate area, the bus.
5. If you have to talk on your cell in a public place, respect others around you. Have you ever noticed how cell phone talkers speak louder when they’re on the phone? Keep your voice down. Move away from other people. In the old days, we would have been piqued if someone tried to overhear our phone conversation. Pretend that you don’t want others to hear you, because, actually, they don’t.
6. Ironically, a great private place to talk on your cell phone is in your car. But its distracting nature can be dangerous. Practice safe cell. Place calls when your vehicle is not moving. Don’t make or answer calls while in heavy traffic or in hazardous driving conditions. Use a headset so both hands can be free for driving.

There are millions of cell phones in use in the United States. And more and more public places have rules against using them. There must be a reason… Try not to be one of them.

Barbara Busey is the president of Presentation Dynamics, a training firm that specializes in the dynamics of how people present themselves. She has 15 years of experience training, speaking and writing on different types of communication skills. She is the author of “Stand Out When You Stand Up—An A to Z Guide to Powerful Presentations.” For information on her services and products, go to: www.StandOutWhen.com

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