It’s been almost a month since I last posted, but this has been bothering me a for a long, long time. It seems that with all the mobile technology surrounding us today, many people have thrown out any consideration the folks around them. So, here are some general common sense rules to keep in mind while keeping in touch.
It is rude and inconsiderate to take personal calls on your cell phone while in the presence of family members, friends, significant others and spouses, co-workers, or even casual aquaintances. Certainly, you may excuse yourself from a group of friends for a short call, just like when we all still used land lines, but it is absolutely unforgivable in the case of a date or any similar situation to sit and run your mouth on the phone while ignoring the person who is actually in front of you. And if you both find yourselves doing it, you should probably excuse yourselves from the phone long enough to say your goodbyes and move on; it’s obvious the night isn’t going anywhere.
Texting is even worse in one-on-one situations, but not quite as bad in social situations. By keeping your conversation quiet while in a group of people, you’re actually showing the group some consideration by not having to wander off to talk to an absent member. However, it tells your date that you’re so extremely bored with them that it doesn’t even take an actual conversation with someone else to distract you.
In the car — if it’s even legal to use your phone in the car where you are — it’s one thing to use your phone when you’re alone, but you definitely want to refrain from gabbing while you have company with you. If it’s that important, maybe you have the wrong person or people in your car.
Of course, emergencies and business matters are exempt from these social graces. Business matters, though still rude to handle in the presence of people who aren’t involved, are accepted as a necessary evil.
Social Networking
Social networking really follows the same rules. If you don’t text or talk in the presence of company (of any sort), why would you check personal emails, profile/wall comments, private or instant messages, or anything else you may have set up on your favorite social website?
Of course, computers introduce all sorts of exempt situations. How many times have you checked your personal information to share something with someone else in the room? How many times have you and a friend sat around watching videos online?
Get the idea? If you’re including the folks who are physically present, the rules change. If you are excluding them, the answer is NO. Wait until you’re on your own time before tuning in and dropping out.
In Public Places
Nobody wants to know your personal business, so if you must phone it in at the supermarket, don’t air it all over aisles 5-10.
When checking out at the register, it is very important to be able to pay attention to what’s going on around you. Also, this takes us back to being rude to the people around you. The situation at the cash register is about as intimate as things normally get at the store. You are in direct contact with another individual, who is ringing up your merchandise and asking for your money.
At the movies and certain restaurants, the answer is NO. Don’t use your phone or computer. At the coffee shop or burger joint, you’re good to go, but nicer establishments are definitely off limits.
It’s good to be connected. Hyper-connectivity has made the business world much more efficient. It has even helped restore many relationships for many people — with old friends, old flames, distant relatives, and who knows how many other relationships have been revived through texting and social networking. However, it has the potential to disconnect us from the physical world around us, including our real-world relationships, if misused.
