Cellphone Etiquette

 When I was growing up, we were taught that there was such a thing as phone etiquette.  You know rules for answering, returning, and calling people.  However in our day of cellphones and "texting", it occurs to me that someone needs to spell out what is acceptable and not acceptable to do on the cell phone.  

So here are my suggestions:

• o    Don’t text and drive.  This goes without saying.  For obvious reasons this is dangerous. It's also illegal in many states
• o   Don’t text or play games on a phone while you are walking. Again for obvious reasons this is dangerous. you may walk into people or into a street.
• o   Turn your cell phone off or silence it when in churches, theaters, concerts or other similar events.  Your phone will distract and disrupt others; and it could interfere with sound systems.
• o   If you are in a restaurant, turn the cell phone down or off.  If it goes off, it may not bother you, but it may bother those around you.  If it goes off in a place like this, use an inside voice or move to some place without background noises.  We really have little interest in your conversation.
• o   If you are in a place that requires your attention and or instructions such as a check out at a store, a deli, or any other place of business please be respectful and don’t make others wait for you to finish your conversation before they can serve you.  These people often have other customers also and you are making everyone else wait.  You can either mute the call; or do some other things while you finish your call.  If you do this, then others don’t have to interrupt you to see to your needs.
• o   If someone texts or calls on a business related call, please have the courtesy to return the call.  This is especially true if they got an answering machine.  They may need to know that you got the call or text so they can plan accordingly.
• o   If you are in school, leave the cell phone off during class.  This applies even to a study hall.

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I know this is not exhaustive, but these are just a few of my own thoughts and suggestions.  Feel free to share them if you find them helpful.