The ubiquitous use of mobile phones can sometimes prove to be irritating and suffocating unless certain etiquette is followed. Mobile users ought to be thoughtful, courteous, and respect people around them.
Speak softly: One must speak softly on the mobile. Do not shout or be loud as people around you may get disturbed or irritated.
Speak in proper language: Avoid using slang and unparliamentary words. It sounds indecent not only to the person at the other end but also to the nearby public. Be courteous and polite on the phone.
Do not speak with food in your mouth: Keep your mouth free of food, including
chewing gum, while speaking on the mobile, to maintain clarity in conversation.
Maintain adequate space: While using the phone in public, try to maintain at least three metres distance from others. Remember, no one is interested in your conversation, so please do not impose your talk on them. If you are in a closed space, either avoid talking on the mobile or excuse yourself, go out and talk.
Avoid discussing personal issues: Do not discuss your personal matters in public. If the person at the other end enquires about personal matters, tell them that you will call back later, or move to an isolated place and maintain privacy; or switch to texting messages.
Never use loudspeaker in public: Very often it so happens that due to inaudibility, the loudspeaker mode is required to be turned on. This should be avoided in public places, as loudspeaker use annoy others.
Avoid multitasking: Refrain from using your mobile while driving, shopping, and banking, waiting in a queue, or any such situations where other people are in contact. Besides being dangerous, it can also be bothersome.
Remember the universal quiet zones: Avoid using your phone at places like hospitals, elevators, schools, places of worship, libraries, buses, trains, waiting rooms, auditoriums, conference halls, museums, meetings, live performances, theatres, petrol pumps, lectures, funerals, weddings and other functions, which are quiet zones.
Give preference to physical company: When in company of another person physically, like at a meeting, discussion or a meal, keep your mobile away. Talking on the mobile or texting or even frequently checking your phone is an insult to the other person and implies that you are negligent.
Never keep wait staff waiting: When a waiter is at your table to take your order, or a peon is to attend to you, or a patron is in your presence, do not keep them waiting till you finish your phone call. It is indecent and is not acceptable behaviour. Either place the call on hold, and finish attending to the person in front, or hang up and call later. If the mobile conversation is urgent, then excuse yourself and move to privacy.
Control your ring tone: Every mobile phone is equipped with the facility of controlling the volume of the ring tone. Therefore, in the company of others it is better to either silence it or reduce the ringer volume, to avoid exasperation to others.
Don’t get addicted: Be in control of your mobile rather than letting it control you. Texting, social networking and chatting can be addictive and time squandering. Paramita Mishra holds a PhD in
Environmental Biology, and has been associated with teaching Communicative English and Personality Development for nine years now. She can be contacted at mishra.paramita@gmail.com