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In this time of the New Year and making New Years Resolution, here’s one I’d like to see many folks make. Better manners when using cell phones and blackberry-like devices. There was a recent article on Yahoo that got me to thinking about this.

Are BlackBerry users the new smokers? - Yahoo! News:

One of my major complaints is something I see quite frequently when traveling, especially at airports. Men standing at urinals, doing their business while talking on their cell phone! I have observed this with a disturbing increasing frequency over the last year. They stand their chatting away while urinating. I’m not sure what the people at the other end of the phone think?! I’ve even overheard men sitting on the toilet talking on the phone while performing their bodily functions. I certainly wouldn’t want to be on the other end of those conversations.

Manners with new technologies are a growing concern. Many restaurants are banning cell phones and I agree with that manly because I don’t want to be forced to listen to someone else’s inane conversation while I’m dining. Also, people tend to talk louder on a cell phone than they otherwise might and forget those around them.

Here is my list of things I’d like to see people work on in the coming year.

1. Get voicemail and use it. Call people back after you have finished whatever business you have at hand. This way you give the other person your full attention.
2. Find an area away from others to have a cell phone conversation if you must take the call. In restaurants, either step outside or find somewhere where you won’t bother other diners, but not the restroom.
3. Don’t send email while having a conversation! Many people seem to want to multi-task but this is disrespectful in some situations, especially if you are having a one to one interaction. Sending a quick email note during a meeting is okay, but don’t spend all your time reading email.
4. Don’t have a long loud conversation on a bus. A short call is okay but avoid long drawn out conversations in crowded situations.
5. Place phones on vibrate when in meetings, conferences, at dinner, etc. This way you know you have a call but don’t submit everyone around you to your ring, especially when it is a song.
6. Regarding ring-tones. Picking a song or jingle that you like and enjoy is fine. However, don’t continue to let your phone ring just so you can listen to an entire song!! I’ve seen people pull out their phones and wait for several seconds before answering just so they can enjoy their ring-tone.
7. When on an airplane before take-off, please hang up when asked to by the flight attendant. I have been on many flights where the push-back from the gate is delayed because someone refuses to end a cell phone conversation. On this subject, I truly hope airlines do NOT start allowing people to use cell phones while in flight!!
7. Just be aware of your surroundings and try to avoid disturbing others. Most people don’t mind a short conversation however, most of us don’t want to hear a five minute conversation about your toodler making poo-poo or a discussion of who at your company may get fired for sleeping with their boss (I have overheard both of these conversations in the past year).

I think technology is wonderful and can make life much easier. However, as with all new technologies, it needs to be used in a manner that is respectful of others.

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