Cell-savvy vs cell-bores

IT was very quiet inside the seminar room where the lecture was taking place. As the speaker went on with his speech, the serene environment was suddenly interrupted with the ringing of a mobile phone. Everyone’s attention was diverted as they looked around for the ‘culprit.’ The latter was too easy to spot, as he ran out of the hall clutching the phone. The emcee later reminded everyone to switch off their phones. But no sooner than the second speaker had begun his lecture that another mobile phone began ringing.

This plight is rampant, courtesy of the advent and widespread usage of mobile phones in this country. It is unfortunate that while most of us are too eager to acquire the latest set to increase our social standing, only a minority are aware of the proper etiquettes of using a mobile phone in public. For those who would like an elaboration of the word ‘etiquette’ provided they reconcile to the fact that such a suffix can exist after the phrase ‘mobile phone’ can visit the following websites.

Cell Manners at http://www.cellmanners.com/ is the website to begin with. It promises that it will promote ‘civility between cell phone users and the people around them’ — which, we know, is the need of the hour. This website goes beyond lecturing on cell phone etiquette. It places more attention on “cell phone wars” that are the ultimate consequence of mobile phone users not observing proper etiquette in public places. ‘Cell phone wars’ is a collection of amusing and not-so-hilarious incidents where mobile phones proved themselves to be a nuisance, and their users even more so. Those of you who are reluctant to switch off your mobile phones or make them silent during lectures or performances can easily learn a lesson or two here. A mobile phone disrupting the audience will only make people curse you under their breaths. The last thing they would be is impressed — which of course in the popular notion around here.

Also, this website has a special section on how to positively use your mobile phones. Certain organizations actually give out awards to those who keep their head on and use cell phones to their advantage in emergencies. You can find out all the details of what different people have done to win those awards, and use it as an inspiration. The section on “Great Ways to Use your Cell Phone” will also guide you on the proper etiquette of using your mobile phone.

Now to some sermonizing websites, http://phoney

business.com/etiquette.html tops my list. It starts off by explaining the link between road accidents and usage of mobile phones. Yep, if you’re using a cell phone while driving, you’re more likely to get into an accident. So if you are one of those who think it looks way cool to have a mobile phone in one hand and the steering wheel in another, let me tell you that you’re only putting a show-off label on yourself, apart from exposing yourself to unnecessary danger. If the call is extremely important, then it is a good idea, as this website suggests, to pull-over first and then talk. In a public gathering, this website suggests a soft ringtone as well as a hushed voice when you’re talking on the phone. Contrary to common misconception that you need to scream in order to make yourself heard in a noisy crowd, there is a sensitive microphone in the mobile phone which can pick up and transmit your voice even when you’re speaking in a low tone. There are many more tips here, dealing with respecting the personal space of people and moving away when the cell phone rings, keeping the cell phone off at certain places and refraining from discussing private affairs if you have to use a cell phone in public. Consider http://www.digitalnuts.com/mobile/articles/cellettiquette.html as a summary of this website. It covers more or less the same points, but in a more concise manner.

A more interesting website is http://www.textually. org/textually/archives/cat_cell_phone_etiquette.htm. It is mostly based on news and incidents related to cell phone usage. For instance, there is a news item about a business which actually told its customers not to use their mobiles when being attended on. Some employers have taken to enforcing strict guidelines governing cell phone usage for their employees. Apart from having a fun-filled reading time here, you can also go through the detailed etiquette given here and make sure you apply some of the rules given here, the next time you use your mobiles.

As we all know, mobiles with inbuilt cameras are the most notorious. There are loads of novae riche who seem to think that owning a camera phone gives them the right to snap the picture of just about anyone who catches their fancy. http://www.avecmobile.com/index.php?id=254 is all about the proper etiquette of using camera phones. Refraining from taking random photographs, asking permission before taking photographs, respecting the privacy of people and places where taking photographs is prohibited and being careful when using camera phones of other people are some of the major guidelines detailed on this website.

Apart from the websites which dwell on what to do and what not to do. There are many others that feature some interesting articles relating to cell phone usage which makes for a very interesting and enlightening read. “Switching off bad manners” (http://www.acurrentaffair.ninemsn.com/stories/1636.asp) is one of those articles. According to the writer, there are certain universities that have actually started teaching mobile phone etiquette as a course. And one of the most important parts of this course is when, where and why to switch off the mobile phones. In places like restaurants, cinemas and important business meetings it is imperative that the mobile phone is set to silent with only a vibrating alert. The golden rule to remember is: don’t let your cell phone rule you.

Another enlightening article is at http://www.thefeature.com/article?articleid=100851&threshold=- 1&ref=5964645 which focuses on the usage of mobiles while driving and a very interesting study conducted among those drivers who have no problem in using their mobiles while they’re at the wheel. The writer has gone on to give his own comment on the results of the study as well.

To get a full recap and reminder of the all the guidelines that you have come across in the above websites, check out the 10 Dos and Don’ts at http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/ issues/technology/communications/ cell_phone_etiquette_10_dos_ and_donts.mspx. These basically cover all that you have read up on already about using mobile phones in public and respecting the personal space of people.

In conclusion, I’d like to mention that one of the above websites termed those who use the cell phone properly as “ Which category do you want to belong to?