Mobile phones have become an integral part of our lives. It’s a tool as commonplace as the knife and fork, toothbrush or teapots with the average smartphone user spending two hours a day on their device. Just as there is etiquette for using your knife and fork, there are also do and don’ts for your mobile. Here’s our ultimate guide…
- Walking: Texting or web browsing while walking is something many of us do. The problem comes when you’re so engrossed in your phone that you bump into lampposts, people, dogs or, more seriously, wander out in front of vehicles. Some places are even introducing ‘phone lanes’ so people can freely wander along while gawping at the device in their hand. It’s unavoidable in an age so dominated by mobile phones but it’s poor form not to at least keep half an ear or eye on the world around you.
- Sodcasting: You may be enjoying the sounds blasting out of your mobile phone but don’t inflict them on the people around you – they probably won’t be as enamoured with your musical tastes. It’s been dubbed ‘sodcasting’ and this is a big no-no.
- Nosey: When on public transport it may be pretty tempting to peer over to the person next to you and spy what they’re typing but you should resist. Would you want your messages being pored over by a stranger?
- Ignorance: You may often find your phone going off while you’re talking to someone in the flesh. Don’t ignore them to turn to your phone. It’s rude and the equivalent of turning your back on someone as they speak to you. Wait for an opportune moment.
- Stranger: Don’t fire a text off to someone you don’t know without introducing yourself. No-one likes to get a message from an unknown number – especially if it’s not clear who it is from. Businesses are much better at this these days too. Many use a tool such as the great platform from Global Messaging which allows them to send messages under their brand name.
- Ring tones: The novelty has worn off now – there’s absolutely no need to set your ring tone as a reversing lorry, air raid siren, the ‘Crazy Frog’ or a dog whistle. Pick a song by all means – at least that will stop you being one of the people flummoxed when, in a crowd, the generic iPhone ringtone goes off – but don’t pick something that will embarrass you.
- Train: Don’t be the person on a train who, when you lose signal in a big tunnel or in the countryside, keeps bellowing into your device as though talking any louder will compensate for the lack of signal. If you need to make a call on the move make sure you’ve got a signal or accept that you may have to call someone back once you’re in a built up area. Don’t keep trying and failing – everyone around you will be as frustrated as you are.
- Switch-off: It’s fine to put your phone down and switch it off. Especially at the cinema, theatre or in a museum. Don’t brandish it as you go to pay in a shop or at the dinner table either. It’ll still be there when you’ve finished.
- Private: Don’t forget that when you answer a call on your mobile phone others will be able to hear what you’re saying. Do you want the people around you to hear you airing your dirty laundry? If it’s a personal conversation then find a quiet place before you start going into private matters.
