Set up for presentation: A Power Point with various images illustrating the subject of the presentation will run while we speak.The DAC will be sitting at the head table and as soon as Gail and I start our talk we would like you to have you cell phones out looking at them, sending a text, etc. The DAC will keep looking at their phones and not pay any attention to the speaker. The speaker will then ask the audience “What is wrong with this picture?” …and the DAC will continue looking at your phone and continue not paying any attention to the speaker. After getting the answer we want (they’re all on their phones or something like that) then the DAC can look sheepish or embarrassed and put your phone down or away.

Cell Phone Etiquette

Good morning! Thank you for joining us and we hope you have a great time today and you learn a few things along the way.

We wanted to visit with you about an item that concerns us all. Now I am sure most of you have heard this before at one time or another – so please bear with us.This segment will not take very long and we promise it won’t be painful!

So, can anyone tell me what is wrong with this picture??? (hopefully someone will say they are all on their

phones…..)

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We missed it by a few months but, did you know that July is designated Cell Phone Courtesy month? I had no idea…and I guess a few of us could use a refresher course!

The cell phone, one of the most revered inventions of the last century is also one of the most controversial. There’s no question that almost everyone needs one. Cell phones are great—they keep us in touch with friends, family, people use them as an accurate timepiece, and can be life savers in an emergency. However, the way many people use them has gotten out of control. Remember, the cell phone is not the problem; it’s the user’s lack of respect for others and bad manners. Instead of coming across as one of those rude people – just follow some simple rules of cell phone etiquette.

This presentation is a compilation between the Emily Post Institute, Miss Manners and thespruce.com regarding some common courtesies of cell phone etiquette.

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Be in control of your phone, don’t let it control you!

Just because your phone rings it doesn’t mean that you have to drop everything to answer it. Ask yourself …“Do I REALLY have to take this call? Is it more important than the time I share with these people?”  When with colleagues or clients, think first: “Is this call so important, more important than their time they are spending on me?” When you’re hanging out with friends and family, don’t be rude and chat with someone else on your cell phone. Be both physically and mentally present for the people you care about. If your phone rings, let the person calling know you’ll call back later, when you are alone. Doing otherwise gives the person you’re with the impression that he or she isn’t important to you.

Speak softly or as your mom would say use your inside voice.

Phones these days have pretty powerful microphones and speakers, so the person on the other end of the line can hear you just fine. You

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don’t need to be that loud and obnoxious person who is yelling into their phone.

Be courteous to those you are with; turn off your phone if it will be interrupting a conversation or activity.

Does this situation sound familiar? You are having lunch and conversation with a friend but your friend is constantly looking at their phone. How does that make you feel? One would hope that you are both in the moment and enjoying your face to face time together.

Also, it is impolite to keep speaking on your phone while being helped at a restaurant or an establishment. It is rude to the barista or salesperson, these people are doing their job, in their space, and you’re the visitor, the guest, the customer. Those people may be there to serve you in whatever capacity necessary, but they’re not there to listen to your call, or stop and wait on you until you finish talking and pay attention to what you’re supposed to

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be doing – and neither are the people waiting in the line behind you.

Avoid talking about personal or confidential topics in a public place.

You never know who is listening to your conversation. Remember, you really don’t want to hear WHY a person is breaking up with their partner, or vice versa, and you certainly don’t want to hear about those test results. You may forget that everyone around you can hear every single word you say. Not only can what you say be misconstrued, a steady stream of one-sided chatter will likely be annoying to everyone around you.

If your cell must be on and it could bother others, use the “silent” mode and move away to talk.

Be discreet and speak in a quiet voice, step out of the room if possible.

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When taking a call in a public space: keep in mind that this space isn’t yours – you are sharing it with a number of people, and there can be no expectation of privacy. If someone else’s phone rang, you’d probably be annoyed – so don’t be the one doing the annoying.

Don’t make or take calls while in a place of worship or such locations as movie theaters, libraries, or during a live performance.

There is no earthly excuse to hear a phone ringing or pinging during a religious service. Turn your phone off or leave it in the car. You and everyone around you should be able to worship in peace.

It’s just as taboo in a movie theater, during a play, musical or other concert or in a library or museum. You may want to think about limiting or eliminating your calls while in elevators, waiting rooms and especially the bathroom.

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Don’t text or take a call during class or at a meeting.

It is just rude and disrespectful to your teacher or your business associates. The speaker has probably put a lot of time and effort into the program for the class or meeting. There is nothing more disappointing for a speaker than to look out into an audience and see cell phones in use.

If in a meeting -switch your phone off. You are amongst professionals, and their time is as equally valuable as yours. Not only is it terribly frustrating for discussions to halt when someone’s phone rings, it’s also offensive. Your time is important – and so is your colleague’s time.

Watch your language, especially when others can overhear you.

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Remember, would you use that foul or hurtful language in front of your grandmother or Aunt Ethel?

Don’t talk or text and drive.

Just don’t. Studies confirm drivers using cell phones are slower to react and their reaction time is seriously impaired when distracted by a cell phone. As you are aware Texas recently passed legislation banning texting while driving. Let’s not even get into the ever-increasing statistics for injuries and fatalities caused by cell phone usage whilst driving. Is that phone call or text message seriously more important than the lives of others sharing the road with you? I don’t think so.

Of course we all know that there are times when you are expecting an important phone call or you receive an emergency call out of the blue. So of course take that call, just do it in a respectful manner such as stepping away from the group or moving outside if possible.

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Using a cell phone courteously isn’t quite so common.

So think in all situations: how would I like to be treated? How would I like to be respected?

Then, treat others the way you would like to be treated.

Your cell phone has already replaced your camera, your calendar, your alarm clock…but don’t let it replace your family or friends.

We hope you enjoyed reviewing some items of the Cell Phone Etiquette!

Thank You!

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