Cell Phone Etiquette

Are you addicted to your cell phone? If you have a closer relationship with your cell phone than you do with most people in your life, learn why breaking the cell phone addiction is the best thing you can do for yourself.

1. Do family and friends complain about your constant cell phone use? Pay attention to what they are saying.

• Last year I walked out of a lunch date with a person who would not get off his cell phone. After attempting several times to get him to realize that constantly answering the phone and talking while I was sitting in front of him was inconsiderate, I got up from the table, told him I was going and wished him a good lunch. Not that I was there to teach him a lesson, but I’m sure it was a lunch he will always remember.
• Do you have any idea how difficult it is to consciously drive and talk on the cell phone at the same time? Get on line and start reading the studies. Putting down the phone is not just an opportunity to spend more quality time with people you love and care about; it is an opportunity to stay alive.
• I personally do not drive as a passenger with a person who is constantly on the phone. I like my life and want to stay in one piece as long as possible.

2. Do you feel anxious when you forget your phone or can’t get to a call?

• Do you feel disconnected from the world when you leave your phone at home?
• Can you drive from point A to point B without having a phone with you?
• Are you one of those people who call back phone numbers you see on your caller ID even when you don’t know who called you, so afraid you are going to miss one call? I hate to say it, but that’s really bad!!pathetic.

3. Do you answer your phone at meals and social times? This is bad manners and unattractive.

• When I go out with someone, I leave my phone turned off or in the car.
• If I am expecting an important call, I say so beforehand and let the other person know that is the only reason I would answer the phone.
• Spending time with another person is about connecting. If you want to talk on the phone, stay home.

4. Does a ringing phone make you feel important? Do you talk just to talk?

• Be honest. Do you feel important every time your phone rings?
• It is not hard to amass a group of people who have nothing to do all day but phone and text.
• Remember – constant chatter is not the same as a life of substance. Actually, it is quite the opposite.

5. Are you ever able to turn your phone off? Try it for one day.

• Want to know if you have a problem? Turn the phone off and leave it at home. How do you feel?
• Be aware of your anxiety, how out of sorts you feel.
• These feelings are wrecking havoc in your life whether or not you are aware of them.

Comments

[Angela Chen Shui]

EXCELLENT post, Chandra! The world requires better communication and cell phones are great but BALANCE is sooo key.

I only have my cell around when I'm on the road with or without my children - so I can call for help in case of a car problem or we can call each other. Wish I was that good with one other addiction issue... the computer/internet! But I work on both, so is that half an excuse??? ;-) hmmm... maybe that's just the 'work' addiction...

In your post, I especially liked:
"Remember – constant chatter is not the same as a life of substance. Actually, it is quite the opposite."

and

"Are you ever able to turn your phone off? Try it for one day."

THANK YOU!