Soapbox

Mobile phone manners

Jan 12 09:04am

Mobile phone technology may be moving forward, but plenty of people have lost their manners along the way. So just what is appropriate? Here's etiquette expert Anna Musson's tips

The person in front of you takes precedence to the person calling you (who you may or may not know).
You should always respect the person in front of you, and not let them think the person on the phone is more interesting or important (even if they are!).
You shouldn't use your phone when you’re having a one-on-one conversation with people, or in most public places.

DO NOT USE YOUR MOBILE IN:
Restaurants
Hospitals
Shops
During a conversation
Public places like hairdressers, churches, conferences

If you have to take the call
Your ringtone represents you, do you want people to think you are a nightclubbing fiend, or a professional? It’s best to stick to a respectable ringtone, preferably “ring, ring”. If you must answer your phone, say, “I’m sorry, do you mind if I answer this call?”. Keep the phone call short, and let the person know what time you’ll call them back.

TEXT MESSAGE ETIQUETTE:
Never break up by text
Don’t cancel on someone by text
Do not call in sick to work via text
A phone call is always more personal than SMS

What texting is good for?
Texting is good for confirming social engagements, or sending someone brief information such as an address or phone number. Your phone is not an essential accessory. Leave it at home when you don't need it.

Do you agree with these tips? What annoys you the most about people using mobile phones?

18 Comments Report Abuse

1. envolite@ymail.com - Jan 12 09:08am

I work at Red Rooster. As a cashier I experience this everyday on a continual basis. I just don't get why people need to be hooked by their phones especially when coming in to eat or through drive-thru, most calls aren't even important. They confuse us when they're talking especially when asking Q.

2. envolite@ymail.com - Jan 12 09:09am

For instance you ask someone a question like "what drink do you want" and because they aren't paying attention they later come back or phone the store and say "you didn't listen or my order isn't right and continue to blame us". Out of courtesy we don't argue and provide a replacement or refund but.

3. udibee - Jan 12 09:36am

I drive taxis and sometimes I have to ask where they wanna go after sitting at same place for 3-4 mins when they jump in the cab. The same thing when they are in groups they continue talking about the same conversation as outside the cab. So I start my meter as soon as they are in.

4. xssy2004 - Jan 12 11:32am

I drive a bus, and many many times a passenger will board the bus talking on their mobile, they dont stop or even pause, but slam their money down and walk away. Very difficult especially when they have put a concession fare down but havnt shown a concession card.

5. nallahan - Jan 12 11:59am

Most people in Australia nowadays are just rude, PERIOD.

Bring back the old days when people were civil, respectful and considerate towards others. We've really "lost it" these days.

My days of being a proud Aussie are well and truly over. Oz is a sick joint, mirroring the Yanks. Goodness me!

6. kymberleigh_ricenewbury - Jan 12 07:20pm

A lot of my friends have mobile phones which is okay except that they leave it on to receive incoming calls, it is annoying, the young people of today should all have prepaid due to the fact they spend there free time smsing everyone. I'm with a webiste that allows me to send free text messages its

7. kymberleigh_ricenewbury - Jan 12 07:32pm

www.smspup.com.au, its free to send messages and all you have to do it join up and click on advertisments, your points never expire and the great thing is that you can send as many as you like. Mobiles are expensive to buy and to make the calls, most people have landline phones with messagebank.

8. kahini_shine7 - Jan 13 07:14am

hi i got this incident when i went to a reception there was a girl of my age around 20 she was talking to her boy friend how she likes to get drunk with him and how was there previous experence it was very odd sitting there ,as there were few boys younger on our table as well please do not discuss

9. catispurple - Jan 13 07:37am

People on mobiles are rude I hate when you are in line at a cash register and the person in front of you is being served and still on the phone so you have to wait longer as they continue to talk and juggle money or try to sign a card.
and listen to some content of converestations

10. hotchocibeagles - Jan 13 09:21am

I work as a waitress at a pizza pasta shop and i ahte at when you are trying to get their food order and they are ont he phone. Should i leave? Should i wait? its just plain annoying

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