After all the posts I’ve written about cell phones and the family, I’ve never talked about this topic of manners and cell phones.
How is that perfectly respectable and well-mannered people turn into rude, ill-mannered folks when they pick up their cell phones in public?

So, I’ve compiled a list of my cell phone behavior pet peeves and I polled my friends as well. This is what we came up with.

1. Loud Talkers - Why do people feel the need to raise their voice while talking on their phone? I swear it is a phenomenon I can’t quite figure out but it happens all the time.
2. Texting and Driving - This one goes beyond bad manners. It is just plain dangerous and rude to other drivers. While you are at it, get a set of headphones or bluetooth and keep conversations to a minimum.
3. Rudeness to Store/Restaurant Employees - How many times do you see someone talking on their phone or texting while standing in front of a register or while ordering food at a restaurant? It happens everyday to me. I’ve actually seen someone point to what they want on a menu instead of saying it because they were having a conversation.
4. Not Turning It Off - Movie theaters, ceremonies, doctor’s offices, church, libraries; where ever you are asked to turn your phone off and you don’t.
5. Are You Talking to Me? - If you have a bluetooth on and you are talking, people are going to think you are talking them. Plain and simple.
6. Pay Attention Where it is Due - If I’m having an afternoon with a friend, shopping or whatever, it drives me crazy when they sit and chat on their cell or spend the entire time texting their other friends!
7. Bathroom? - I’ve actually had people call me from the bathroom on their cell phone. Public or private bathrooms, it is just plain yucky.
8. Private vs Public Conversations - Please don’t have those very private conversations in public so other people are forced to listen.
9. Ten Foot Rule - As a general rule of courtesy, take your conversation at least that far away from other people.
10. Elevators - See above rule. People are trapped in an elevator and have no choice but to listen to you chat away.

Given these peeves of mine, I found a humorous book on Amazon I  thought you might enjoy.

photo credit: Andrew Feinberg

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