Mobile phone etiquette

Or the conspicuous lack of it...

[ronin]

Am I the only person who thinks it's rude as hell to answer ones mobile phone in the middle of a face to face conversation without saying sorry or excuse me?

I feel so strongly about this that for about three years now I have refused to take my mobile phone with me if I am specifically going out to meet friends on for social reasons, on the basis that I wish to spend time with that person (or those people) rather than any absent friends who wish to breeze in over the airwaves for a chat.

If anyone does happen to ring my mobile when I'm out, they can leave a voicemail which I'll get when I return home.

Some of my friends say to me: "But you should carry your mobile everywhere and always have it switched on."

And I say: "Why?"

And they say: "So I can get hold of you"

And I say: "But it's my phone, for my convenience, not your phone for your convenience."

And they say: "But how else can I get hold of you?!"

And I say: "Write me an email."

Or preferably a postcard...

[victor]

Sadly, phones have always been given a preemptive priority.

Ever been standing in line in small shop when the phone behind the counter rings? That potential customer is behind you -- an actual real customer -- in the line. But they usually get dealt with first.

I'm enjoying the rise of phone-free zones, especially on longhaul trains.

[limbo]

especially on longhaul trains

Totally agree, One of the most annoying things in the world is having to listen to somone else shouting their way through the journey - coach D all the way for me.

Mobile phones have only one place in social situations - to organsise them. Once you've met up you'd better not sit there texting your absent friends or you will get a verbal slapping from me!

[BlobFisk]

One of the reasons that I have avoided taking a company phone is that as long as it's my phone I can turn it off and not answer any calls I want.

I've seen it too often where people get a company phone and are happy until calls start coming through at 4am, they decide one night to turn the phone off and then get asked "why was the company phone off?".

I'll pay my own bill thanks and expense any work calls!

[bcolflesh]

Illegal in the US (but works perfectly!):

[newhousenews.com...]

[luckychucky]

I dislike loud people in general, and especially loudmouths on the phone who rant in front of a captive group while we're all waiting in line at the bank or post office.

That said, though-

I set my ringtone as a single, pleasant one-note chime, discreet and calm, not a cheeseball casio symphony. And when I answer, it's in a hushed tone. In other words, if someone in line has a simple, normal live conversation with someone else in line, nobody gets pissed off. I tend to tone down my cell conversations to a level even below that, and I get the sense all is well in the etiquette dept.

For some reason, tons of people somehow think a cellPhone grants them a personal megaphone license, to pompously discuss supposed big business deals (I'm a rich guy btw, and the rich tend to be discreet. Loudmouths are usually full of it) or, because I'm in LA, their stupid film industry poseur babble, ie: "Yes! I'll be on set today. Did you have a chance to read the treatment for the pilot yet?" etc.

People are desperate for attention, and if they can't get it legitimately, they force themselves upon you anyway. Ugh

[edited by: rogerd at 10:48 am (utc) on Dec. 21, 2004]

[Essex_boy]

I do not have a personal mobile as I found people would me up at the most peculiar times like 4am exactly and expect a pleasant reply.

My company supplys me with a phone which i use during business hours and have at home should I need it.

In my line of work a call out of hours could mean that a work mate is in a very dangerous situation and requires immediate assistance, otherwise I wouldnt answer it when not at work.

Dangerous situation here could mean life or death.

On the whole Im against them.

[benevolent001]

sorry if i am going out of ways
but some times we feel awkward when mobile rings in the church and other religious places
Its so disturbing when some one is trying to appease the God and he hears the ring tone from his favourite film or song and all prayer is gone....from his mind

i dont know if this happens with you guys or not but i does happens with me at times

with Regards

[HelenDev]

Really it's all about common sense. I don't hate mobile phones but there are some people who can turn them into an annoyance, but these are probably the same people who can be annoying without the help of a phone.

I take my phone out with me because sometimes it's nice to text someone to ask if they want to join you, just on a whim.

I always try to remember to switch my phone off before going to places such as a library, or a religious place for that matter, if I was going to one.

[benevolent001]

But i would love to go with Mobile in
Examination hall....isnt it?

[Essex_boy]

Church and in court - a couple of times my phones gone off when presenting a case in court.

You should watch the judge go mental.....Not a wise idea.

[pendanticist]

> watch the judge go mental.....

Hehe, or my professors in class. :o They'd go ballistic and after telling everyone at the beginning of each semester too.

On the more serious side: Please, pull over to use your mobil phone. I don't want to hear about your death or the death of others.

[vkaryl]

You know what's REALLY scary is to be driving down the Interstate at 75mph, and have an 18-wheeler pass you doing about 90 - with the driver on his cell phone....

[chrisnrae]

I am so guilty of this. To the point that people have actually grabbed my cell phone from me while we're out and shut it off to prevent me from answering it any further. I think I need a 12 step.

[mivox]

Top this: Taking a call from 'the other woman' in the middle of a couples counseling session. ;)

[edited by: mivox at 9:12 pm (utc) on Dec. 20, 2004]

[bcolflesh]

LOL - "Are your ears burning? We were just talking about you..."

[vkaryl]

mivox, you need to write a book....

[lawman]

>>I'm a rich guy btw, and the rich tend to be discreet

Haha, no comment. ;)

[mivox]

mivox, you need to write a book....

ROFL... Whoa no! That's the LAST thing I need to do...

[Shane]

Still haven't let go eh Mivox .....

Well that one would be pretty hard to let go of.

(When the book comes out will you tell us please, please :))

..... Shane

[lgn1]

In Canada, they are considering making cell phone jammers legal.

From my understanding, its not that difficult to make a cell phone jammer, if you really wanted one.

[mivox]

haven't let go

Oh no. It's not that... Things are good now.

But that particular incident was just SO perfect for this thread. :)