*Thanks to Bob F. for forwarding this article that appeared Monday, july 17,
in the Chicago Tribune Business section.
Cellphone sins Egregious offenses at the office and in other places. By
Cheryl Snapp Conner | Inc.. Cellphone courtesy month is here, and not a
moment too soon. We can thank Jacqueline Whitmore, a business etiquette
expert from Palm Beach, Fla., for creating National Cell Phone Courtesy
Month in 2002. . People using one of the most intrusive devices in
history should be courteous all year, of course. But cellphone abuses are
rampant, according to customer service expert Nancy Friedman, who is known
as the Telephone Doctor. So in honor of the month, Friedman has shared
the most irritating cellphone offenses that need to be curbed.
Interviews, meetings Friedman recalls the time she was interviewing a
job applicant and the young woman's cell rang. Unbelievably, she answered
the call. When you go into an interview or meeting, don't touch your phone
unless it's to divert a call because you forgot to put your phone on silent.
Do not text or mess about with your phone during meetings. Many employees
have earned negative points by forgetting that when the phone pings with a
text message alert, people's heads instinctively turn. It's distracting and
very disrespectful. If you absolutely must leave a meeting to take a call,
do it skillfully. For example, my colleagues and I will never forget the
former employee (emphasis on former) who walked out of a meeting with our
chairman with no remark or apology to take a personal call. Public areas
Taking calls in restaurants, during plays and movies, while on a date, on
the train or in other public areas is a surefire way to annoy others. Keep
your ringer off. If the phone vibrates with a call you simply must answer,
go to a private area or send a quick text that you'll reply later. Volume
control It's human nature, but most cellphone users are unaware of the
way their volume rises when they talk on the phone. You don't need to shout.
Another important note in business communication: Be aware of who is
overhearing your call. A major publication famously learned of a pending
acquisition by overhearing the company CEO shrieking into his cell from the
rental car shuttle at an airport. Don't let this happen to you. On the
road If you must talk while driving, it is critical that you keep both
hands on the wheel. Several states now have laws that prohibit talking on
the phone while driving unless you are using hands-free devices. Showing
off Big deal; you've got the newest model of phone. Some folks look as
though their head is on a pivot to ensure everyone within range is seeing
their phone. Don't be obnoxious. Funerals, other serious occasions
Yes, sadly, some people leave their phones on during events as serious as a
funeral, a speech or a graduation. At an industry gala once that featured
Apple CEO Tim Cook, the room was respectfully hushed -- except for the young
woman who'd come as a guest of the musical entertainer and was chatting away
on her phone. In the air Many of the calls we hear on airplanes are
useless: "Hi, I'm on the plane. We're about to take off. I'll let you know
when I land. Then, a few hours later, "Hi, we landed. These conversations
can wait or easily be handled by text, surely. One exception to this rule is
when your plane is stuck on the tarmac and you need to alert co-workers that
you'll be late to the big meeting. Bathrooms The people in the
washroom do not need to hear your dinner plans, kid pickup details, errand
list, woman troubles, etc., emanating from inside your stall. If the
communication is vital, simply text or find a quiet area where you are
alone. Blue Tooth These devices allow you to talk without holding
the phone, but in any situation other than driving, they create a
distraction for everyone around you as they try to figure out if you're
talking to yourself or to them. Elevators This small area magnifies
your conversation to the captive audience who can neither ignore you nor get
away. Have your conversation in the lobby, end the call, then get on the
elevator. Salons While she may not say anything, your stylist is not
able to work around your phone and it's rude to stare at your cell during
the entire appointment. Give it a rest. Have a conversation with your
stylist and ensure your haircut is going as planned. General workplace
behavior Be considerate of others. Give your job your undivided
attention and give your co-workers the respect of not being distracted by
your personal calls. Wait until your break, your lunch hour or after work to
use your cellphone. Most situations do not require constant cell
availability. Above all, when using a cell, remember the Golden Rule: Your
behavior with your phone should be what you'd want from others.
---------- Cheryl Snapp Conner is the founder and CEO of SnappConner PR
and the creator of Content University.
Corn-you-copia is both a written and, occasionally, an audio emailer that
Hap Holly sends out periodically to a list of those who think they might
want to read.or hear what he has to pass along. For the most part no
politics nor religion is foisted upon those who opt in to receive it. Keep
in mind this emailer is one-way only; no one can crash it or interject
comments to it. In addition no one can add people to it nor remove anyone
from it willy nilly. However, should you wish to subscribe to Hap's future
Corn-you-copia mailings, simply send an email to:
<mailto:corn-you-copia-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
corn-you-copia-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word subscribe in the subject
line. To unsubscribe use this same address with unsubscribe in the subject
line. Comments to Hap should be sent directly to hap@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:hap@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> .
