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Community Corner

There's a Month for That: National Cell Phone Courtesy Observance

Let's keep others in mind as we use our cell phones.

Debbie’s Daily Dose of Food for Thought

“Apparently we love our own cell phones but we hate everyone else's.” Joe Bob Briggs

Do you ever get tired of hearing someone’s conversation as they chat on their cell-phone? Etiquette and protocol expert Jacqueline Whitmore founded National Cell Phone Courtesy Month in July 2002 to remind cell phone uses to be more considerate in their cell phone use and “to be more respectful of their surroundings.” Since we live in a world where instant and constant connections are the norm it is helpful to be reminded of proper cell phone use. Here is some information and a few helpful tips.

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Number of Cell Phone Users in the United States

According to www.physorg.com “Eighty-five percent of Americans, 18 and older own a cell phone and 90 percent of adults live in a household with at least one cell phone.”

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Considerate Cell Phone Use

Jacqueline Whitmore offers these tips:

  1. When at a meeting or with someone, “be all there.” Let calls go to your voicemail or put your phone on silent mode.
  2. Keep private calls private.
  3. Speak in a normal tone. Many people talk louder when using a cell phone.
  4. Emotional conversations should not be held in public places.
  5. Some places prohibit or restrict cell phone use. Please follow the rules.
  6. Put your phone on vibrate to avoid interrupting functions or meetings.
  7. Excuse yourself if you receive a call you must answer. If possible, alert the person or people you are with that you are expecting an important call ahead of time.
  8. Text when you want/need to send a quick message.
  9. Watch and listen to information or music discreetly. If possible, use earphones.
  10. EVER text and drive. Pull over or wait until you reach your destination.

In the News

A July 2009 survey compiled by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that the risk of having a car accident is 23 times higher when driving and texting.

Check out this recent article from the San Francisco Examiner about cell phone use.

Take the Quiz

Take Jacqueline Whitmore’s cell phone etiquette quiz. Click here and scroll down to the bottom of the article. We're not sure that we agree with Whitmore’s definition of having one right answer to each quiz question, but Branford Patch editor Nicole Ball only got two out five correct making her cell phone etiquette sub-par!

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