Mobile Phone Etiquette

Last night, as I lay in bed I feel agitated. By nothing really. I ask my boyfriend out of the blue - am I too boring for you?

His response is what leads to this blog. He said "Why? Coz I'm using my mobile!?"

I didn't even know he was using his mobile. But it did bring thoughts to my head - is it appropriate to use your mobile whilst in bed? I understand that times have changed and we do rely on mobile phones as communication but how much is too much?

Do we need to have the mobile tied to our wrists 24/7? Do we need to be constantly contactable? Do we need to always contact everyone else, just for keeping up appearances?

Ideally, I'd say no mobiles in bed. Infact, do as my dad does - turn it off at bedtime. Its not something that we can do just now, because we have no house phone installed in case of emergency, but I think in general, its fine for that.

Laying in bed hearing click click click or seeing the mobile phone light up the ceiling is disturbing in one point, but why on earth is it necessary to text/e-mail whilst in bed anyway? OK, its not always us. Sometimes its people who text or e-mail us but the reply can wait until the morning, no? That way, maybe they will learn text etiquette too?

I had a wee browse online for mobile etiquette and found a few interesting points to follow

1. Putting the person on the other end of the line on hold.

We all do it but that doesn’t make it any less rude every time that it happens. Focus on the conversation at hand or tell the person that you’re going to call them back later.

2. Badmouthing, gossiping and talking behind someone’s back.

You never know who is going to be listening to what you say on your cell; it could be the person you’re talking about or someone who knows them.

3. Talking on the phone while making a purchase.

Hang up before entering a store and call the person back when your purchase is complete. Give the cashier respect. Its just so RUDE!

4. Paying more attention to your phone than to the person that you’re with.

We all say that we know that this is rude. Like it or not, this sends the message to the people that we’re with that they just aren’t as interesting as what’s happening on the phone. Yes, even texting while out with friends is rude.

5. Talking way too loud in public.

When you’re out in public and the rest of the world is trying to conduct its business, your loud voice can get really annoying really quickly

6. Sharing your business with others

The reality is that there are certain topics that it’s rude to talk about in public. If you wouldn’t say these things directly to the strangers around you, why are you saying them in a place that they have to hear you?

7. Taking calls in inappropriate places.

Don’t answer your cell phone while you’re in a public restroom; it’s rude to the caller. Don’t spend an entire movie sending text messages to your friends; the people around you can hear you texting even if you think that you’re being quiet. Just because you always have your phone with you doesn’t mean that you always have to use it. Ask yourself if the place you’re in is really a good place to be taking a call.

8. Using your mobile phone’s camera without permission.

First of all, you shouldn’t take pictures of strangers out in public because it’s not only rude but can come off as downright creepy.

9. Throwing out old phones instead of recycling them.

This is the twenty-first century and if you’re being careless with your electronics then you’re being rude to the earth and all of the other people who have to live here. It’s wasteful. It has the potential to be dangerous.

10. Recording lengthy skits and songs instead of voice mail messages for those people who are calling you to sit through.

Sure, you think it’s cute that you’ve identified the perfect song for someone who is calling you. But frankly, most people would rather hear something short and to the point (such as “leave your message at the beep”) than to listen to a whole song. This is especially true if it’s someone who calls regularly and has heard your message a million times. Simple is sometimes the best way to go.


After reading that. How guilty are you of any of the above? I'm no saint and am guilty of all to an extent. But it needs to stop!