MAX RANTS: JANUARY 14, 2025. CELL PHONE ETIQUETTE: HOW IS YOURS?

MOBILE PHONE ETTIQUETTE

https://rumble.com/v69gyxd-how-bad-or-good-are-your-phone-manners.html

You guys have a lot to learn

Mobile phones have rapidly become a way of life.  But with their advances and blessings comes the challenge of not losing ourselves in bad phone habits.  The social damage caused by cell phones is immeasurable and incalculable, but it is real.  Let’s not become part of the ‘bad manner jungle’ of mobile phone usage.

Here are a few simple guidelines to avoid being a rude phone owner:

1. Be present in the moment:  Avoid "Phubbing": "Phubbing" (phone snubbing) is the act of tuning others out and ignoring them in favor of someone on the phone.  It's disrespectful and it’s offensive.  It shows others that they are playing ‘2^nd fiddle’ to their phone.  If you phub me, I’ll just tune you out altogether.  I may even leave because you are one rude son of a bitch.  I don’t like hanging out with rude sons of bitches.

When you're with someone else, it’s polite and even required that you give them your undivided attention.  Put your phone away or set it to silence.  Resist the urge to keep checking your phone for whatever reason.  If you can’t do this then you really don’t belong in polite society and you needn’t bother me as long as your phone holds priority over me.

2. You need to minimize phone use during conversations with ‘real’ people: It's rude to interrupt a face-to-face conversation to take a call or send a text.  If it’s urgent, an emergency of sorts, excuse yourself politely and step away to take it.  Keep it as brief as possible because if you’re away for too long others will lose interest.  I’ll just walk away if you take too long.

3. Set personal boundaries in social settings: In social gatherings like dinners or meetings, it's best to keep your phone out of sight and silenced.  Consider placing phones face down on the table or setting a "no-phone zone" to encourage genuine interaction.

4. Respect Public Spaces:  Silence is golden: Keep your phone on silent when in public places like libraries, theaters, places of worship, and restaurants.  Loud ring tones or notifications are disruptive and can really be annoying.  I love listening to Elvis Presly’s ‘Hound dog’ but not in the middle of prayer or any other meeting.  Some ring tones are particularly obnoxious and must be avoided at all costs.

5. Lower your voice: When taking calls in public, speak softly.  The phone will pick up a whisper as well as a shout.  Avoid having loud, personal conversations that others can overhear.  What’s said on the phone should stay on the phone.  If you need to have a private conversation, move to a more secluded area.

https://rumble.com/v69gyxd-how-bad-or-good-are-your-phone-manners.html

6. Be mindful of speakerphone use: Using the speaker function on your phone in public is just plain rude unless you're in a private space.  It forces others to listen to your conversation and can be particularly bothersome in confined spaces.

7. Digital Decorum: Pay Attention to Texting etiquette: Avoid texting during meetings, classes, or other formal events.  It’s rude to text while having a conversation with someone.  If you text while talking to me, I’ll ask you to put the phone down.  If you won’t accord me this simple courtesy, then our business is over.  Good luck picking up the conversation where it left off because you ‘had to’ text something to someone.

8. Mind your messages: Be mindful of the content of your messages.  Avoid sending sensitive or confidential information via text.  Use proper grammar and spelling to ensure clarity and professionalism.  This abbreviated ‘new speak’ that young people are using more and more for convenience-sake simply shows that they’ve succumbed to the techno-rudeness known as ‘Bad Phone Etiquette’.  If I get one of these cryptic ‘new speak’ messages I just erase it and block that number.

9. Respect privacy: Don't share someone's phone number or personal information without their consent. Be cautious about taking photos or videos of others without their permission.  I don’t like it, and many others don’t like it either.  You can lose your phone as it crashes to the floor or sidewalk.

10. Driving and Mobile Phones: Get Real!  It’s ‘Distracted Driving’ and that can get you ticketed, crippled, or killed: Never text while driving: It’s extremely dangerous and illegal in most places.  It significantly impairs your ability to drive safely and puts yourself and others at risk.  Hell, why not read a novel or trim your toenails while driving?  Texting has been shown to be as dangerous than driving while under the influence.  Driving drunk or while texting, you need to stay the Hell away from me and mine.

11. Avoid calls while driving: Even hands-free calls can be distracting.  If you absolutely gotta make or take a call in the car, pull over, do your business, and drive on.

12. General Tips for Good Phone Manners: Answer promptly and politely: When answering a call, identify yourself clearly.  If you can't talk at the moment, politely explain and offer to call back later.

13. End calls gracefully: Don't just hang up abruptly. Say goodbye and thank the person for calling.

14. Now this one is tricky.  Check your voicemail regularly: But don’t check it so often that it alienates others around you.  You don’t need to do this every half hour or at all when in polite company.  Respond to voicemails promptly and professionally.

15. Be considerate of time zones:  Now that phones allow you to call anywhere the country for free, you need to be considerate of what time it is where the person you are calling is.  When calling someone in a different time zone, be mindful of the time and avoid calling at inconvenient hours.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your mobile phone enhances your life without causing social awkwardness or offense.  Remember, good mobile phone etiquette is about being considerate of others and using technology responsibly.