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
11. rebecca.wraight - Jan 13 09:54am
I work at kmart and everyday we have people talk on their phones while being served. I wish we could implement the refusal of service if theyre on their phones. Its annoying and takes twice as long. They dont listen and then blame us if they didnt hear us ask for flybuys.
12. roberta.kennington - Jan 13 10:55am
Absolutely rude all mobiles should be turned off when in a wedding church meeting in line at checkout/fast food movie theatre/theatre etc I wouldn't serve anybody if they come to the counter talking on mobile, extremely rude & inconsiderate to all.
13. wo2harris - Jan 14 07:05am
Why bother banning all mobile phone use when driving when. We haven't even come up with an effective way to enforce the current mobile phone laws.

Harry
14. lilykovac - Jan 14 08:16am
Yep, I work in retail, and am often struck by the rudeness of people answering their phones mid conversation. It is ok if they apologise before answering their phone, but if you want to be treated with respect, show some in return!
15. mystel_chic - Jan 16 08:10am
gah...customers~! I work at Woolworths, andI hate it when customers answer their mobiles - espeically when the expect ME to give them my full attention .
16. wade8765 - Jan 19 09:51am
If Im in public and can't talk on the phone I can press a useful "silence" button on my phone which stops the ringing 'noise' but doesn't hang up on the person ringing. Very good when you just can not turn the phone off. well done LG. Lifes good!
17. justjanet101 - Jan 20 07:17am
I work for an airline, and cannot believe people get so huffy when we ask that phones be turned of for even just a 1hr flight.....even if we explain it maybe a safety issue...doh..!!!
18. heattech.ddcjv@ymail.com - Jan 25 02:40pm
What about when you work at a gas fired power station, and you're not allowed to use phones in case of an explosion- but there are still people who bring their phones in and answer them right in front of you.
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