What is proper cell phone etiquette?

Question

I just a got a cell phone.I was wondering what is proper cell phone etiquette?..thanks

Answer 1

I have to agree with everything that has been said - I may talk to my Mom in my own bathroom at home, but never am I on my cell phone in a public restroom and I am very offended by people who are. A good rule of thumb is this - if you are in a situation where it would be rude for you to stand up and cheer loudly (movie, performance, church, class, restaurant, etc.), it's a good bet you should not be on your cell phone. I find being on the phone at a sporting event, the food court at the mall - nosiy places - to be OK. I try to get off the phone if I am checking out as a courtesy to the salesperson. If I can't, I will apologize, i.e. cover the mouth piece and say something like "I am sorry, this call is taking longer than I anticipated". Do not even think about answering your cell phone while you are visiting someone in the hospital - rude, rude, rude. Ditto to any situation where you are in a one on one conversation with someone. I hate being in someone's office discussing something important that doesn't need to be put off, only to have them answer their cell phone and gab away for 10 minutes. If you must answer, always explain to the person you are currently talking to, i.e. "I am sorry, this is my daughter's school and I should probably make sure nothing is wrong." Then if you find out it is not an emergency, you can say something like "I am sorry, I am in a meeting may I call you back in 15 minutes?". Last but not least, just because it rings YOU DO NOT HAVE TO ANSWER IT! Everyone forgets to put their phone on vibrate from time to time, but if it rings at a clearly inopportune moment, apologize to those around you and silence it as quickly as possible. My Mom once answered her ringing phone in the middle of a Broadway play, only to say to the person on the other end "Oh, I am so embarrassed, my phone just rang in the middle of this play... What's up with you?"

As with so many things in life, the Golden Rule "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" covers 95% of any situation you will find yourself to be in.

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

I just got mine last year.
Making calls and taking calls requires different etiquette.

Taking calls:

When I'm in quiet area with a lot of people and I get a call, I try to go to some remote corner to talk so I won't disturb anyone.

But if the noise level is enough to cover the sound of my conversation (like in a store) I'll take the call and keep shopping.

But I ALWAYS hang up, or make the caller wait while I interact with the cashier.

Making calls:

I make sure I'm in a very quiet place, where I can concentrate on the call. If I HAVE to make a call in a busy place, I keep it brief.

I'll make a call while I'm doing household chores only if I KNOW the conversation is going to go on for a LONG time and the party on the other end is the understanding type.

For short calls, I always give the party on the other end my full attention.

P.S. Always turn your ringer off (or to vibrate-if you must) in church, the movies, or any other time you don't want the ring to disturb anyone. But remember to turn it back ON later, or you'll miss that important call you've been waiting for!

Answer 4

Keep your phone off at movie theaters, church (if you go), or any place it would interfere with a performance of some sort (school play, a recital, concert, etc.). Don't drive and talk on the cell phone at the same time - that can cause accidents. It's also really weird to be talking on the cell phone while in the bathroom. I don't think anyone on the other end wants to hear those sounds. Finish your phone call before going into the bathroom or call the person back when you leave the bathroom (if they call while you're in there and hang up before you leave).

Answer 5

Proper Cell Phone Etiquette.
Turn off your phone in a resturant, theatre, etc. If it is aboslutely nesseccary for you to have your phone on, have it on silent/vibrate and excuse yourself to make the call. Do not answer whilst in a theatre or movie. Keep it short. If on a date, warn the other party that this is the case.
Don't have very private conversations in public spaces. Not everyone wants to hear of your love life or sexual problems.
Unless you in security, don't have your ear peice/hands free on all the time.
Do not use your cell phone while attending to bodily functions.
Do not have long phone calls while with someone else.
Do not use it while driving, except hands free, and only when essential. Do not ever read or write SMSs while driving. Whatever it is it can wait. Most calls are just not that important.
If a student, turn it off during classes, lectures etc. Have it on only during out of class times. Many school here have banned them, because of the disruption they cause.

Answer 6

Well never talk on the phone when your doing business with another person in person. Its altogether wrong just wrong. If you have nextel no one wants to hear ya friends say yo where you at all day. Dont chew gum and talk on the phone at the same time. last be not least dont be loud. No one cares that your upset with ya mom keep that noise down. Talking on cell phones is so overrated. The end crowd ext now. Its soooo HOT!!!

Answer 7

Pretty much the same as it is on a land line...except when you are out in public, in a conversation with someone & your phone rings you look at it to see if you need to take the call & if you do you exscuse yourself & keep it brief if the person is still waiting to complete the conversation. And DON"T DRIVE & TALK!!!!..In many places it's now illegal and sooo unsafe!...watch your minutes too, they can add up soo fast!

Answer 8

I work in a department store and you would be amazed at the PRIVATE conversations that people have in public. Just remember that people will hear ALL you dirty laundry when you use a cell phone in a public place.

Answer 9

Cell phones are one of my biggest pet peeves. Here are my personal rules:

#1) If you're out to dinner, lunch or having just any kind of meal with someone you should have your cell phone on silent or vibrate. I personally think that it is rude to interrupt your time that you made with that person to speak with someone else.

#2) At work, of course it varies job to job but most people totally disapprove of cell phone use during work hours.

#3) My biggest pet peeve is when people are in the check out line and people are chitchatting away on their cell phone completely ignoring the person rining them in. I used to work for Kohl's and I used to get people in my line having conversations on the phone while I am ringing them in. They don't say two words to you because they're busy to say to their whoever on the phone "hey, I'll call you right back."

I think that it is also important to realize how loudly you may be talking on your cell phone. If you're in public (the subway, the mall, the bank, etc.) you should think to yourself while on the phone: Do I really want strangers hearing my conversation? Of course not.

I think that most of cell phone curtosy is common sense and that it is a good thing that people are considerate of others and silent their phones if they're out to dinner with a friend or in line at the grocery store.

Answer 10

I think is should be used like any other phone. If you have company, excuse yourself if its an important call. If its personal don't answer it or turn it off.