Cell/Smartphones are an integral part of society. When I look at everything it can do, I think it’s one of the greatest inventions. We can communicate in many forms, watch TV, read books, play games, and take pictures on vacation.
However, how and when we use our phones can also create frustration and safety issues. So often, when I go out to dinner with family and friends, it seems everyone in the restaurant is on the phone looking at Facebook, sports scores, or text messages. Personally, this frustrates me. What happened to having a nice conversation at dinner?
I encourage you to seriously look at these etiquette/safety tips and pick a few you can use in your own life to improve your relationships and your safety.
Cell phone etiquette/safety tips
1. Enjoy quality time with friends and family. If you’re out to dinner or at a friend’s house, leave your phone in the car or keep it in your coat pocket on vibrate. If you need to check in with a babysitter, that’s fine. Just excuse yourself from the table or conversation. What’s the point of spending time with family or friends if everyone will spend more time on their phones?
2. Pay attention when you’re walking. How often do you see people walking and looking at their phones? Walking and using your phone can be as dangerous as texting while driving. Using your phone while walking:
- It prevents you from seeing holes or cracks in the sidewalk that could cause you to trip and fall. Unfortunately, people have been so distracted, that they’ve walked off bridges or fallen into waterfalls at their local malls.
- It makes you an easy target for crime.
- It could cause you to stray into traffic.
3. Be respectful in public places. Whether at work or in line at the grocery store, be respectful of those around you. Nobody wants to hear your conversation. Consider getting a conference room or stepping out of the checkout line. Other people need to accomplish things and don’t want to be distracted by your conversation.
4. Avoid texting or taking calls in meetings. If you’re in a meeting, keep your phone on vibrate and in your pocket. Buzzing phones on the conference room table or desk can be distracting to the person talking, as well as to those trying to listen. Your focus should be on what’s being discussed in the meeting, not on an incoming call, text, or email.
5. Avoid putting someone on hold. When you put someone on hold, you’re telling them someone else more important is calling. If someone calls while you’re talking, ignore the call. If it’s important, they’ll leave a message. If not, call them back immediately after you finish your conversation.
6. Avoid using your phone while driving. Many studies have shown that reaction times are significantly reduced when using your phone. A University of Utah driving simulator study showed that drivers using cell phones experienced a slower reaction time than drivers with a .08 blood alcohol level. Have you ever pulled into your garage after commuting home and don’t remember how you got there? Drivers on the phone can experience inattention blindness. Inattention blindness occurs when you see things, but your brain doesn’t process what you see.
Do you have any suggestions or information you’d like to share? I’d love to hear from you. Please share them in the box below.
Source:
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/01/22/tech/mobile/texting-walking-study/
