Sunday, May 6, 2007

MOBILE PHONE ETIQUETTES


Safety - Pay attention to the road.
cell phones may distract drivers and cause risks for themselves and other drivers.
never use a mobile phone while driving unless it is "hands free."
Not only are both hands free to shift and steer, there seems to be a very significant difference in the degree of attention deficit when using an ear phone.
The ear phone makes it much easier to focus on driving.
limit conversations in cars to traffic areas and conditions requiring low amounts of decision-making.
In high volume, tricky driving situations either turn the phone off or let it ring.
pull over to the side to speak if the conversation is important.
"Drive Now - Talk Later."

Volume - Speak softly.
speak in hushed tones-a mobile phone has a sensitive microphone capable of picking up a soft voice.
set the ring tone at a low level with a tune that is soft, gentle and not annoying.
The more crowded the situation, the quieter and softer the volume of voice and ring.
move to vibrate mode in any situation like a church, a workshop or a meeting where a ringing sound would prove disturbing to other people.
try to gain as little phone attention as possible. The goal is to communicate effectively without anybody else noticing or caring.
The cell phone bore speaks loudly and employs loud, obnoxious ring tones at all the wrong times and in all the wrong places. The cell phone bore calls attention to herself or himself.
Some people seem incapable of speaking on their cell phone in a normal tone of voice. Perhaps they are subconsciously worried that the party on the other end cannot hear them very well, so they double and triple their volume. Sometimes it seems as if they are shouting.
Watch the reactions of people near the cell phone bore when the voice or the ringer are too loud.
Proximity - Keep your distance.
Each person is surrounded by a personal space. This space provides feelings of safety and calm, especially in crowded places.
When strangers come into our personal space, it can make us feel uncomfortable.
respect the personal space of other people and try to speak in places 10-20 feet or more away from the closest person.
If there is no private, separate space available, wait to speak on the phone until a good space is available.
Sensitivity to other peoples' needs and comforts is a sign of good character.
Crowded rooms, lines and tight hallways are not good places to carry on phone conversations.
Next time you find yourself in a crowded space, watch the reactions of non mobile phone users to those who speak loudly into their phones while standing next to them.

Content - Keep business private.
Many personal and business conversations contain information that should remain confidential or private. Before using a mobile phone in a public location to discuss private business or issues, make sure that there will be enough distance to keep the content private.
Some stories, some issues and some conflicts should be saved for times and locations that will allow for confidentiality.

Tone - Keep a civil and pleasant tone.
others might overhear a conversation, so be careful to maintain a public voice that will not disturb others. At the same time, certain types of conversations may require or inspire some tough talk or emotional tones. reserve these conversations for more private settings.do not fire employees, chastise employees, argue with a boss or fight with a spouse or teenager on mobile phones in public settings.

Location - Pick your spot.
Some locations are better for conversations than others. They offer more privacy and less noise. keep the mobile phone turned off much of the time, to handle incoming calls under good conditions rather than struggling against interference of various kinds such as flight announcements in the hallways of an airport.
learn which spots will offer the best signal and the best conditions. Rather than hold an important business discussion or negotiation under poor conditions,wait for good conditions in order to make the best impression and provide a professional communication experience.
Timing - No cell phone before it's time.
think about when to turn the phone on or off. There are many situations where it would be rude if a phone rang, interrupting the transaction at hand.
Stepping up to a service counter, entering a restaurant or joining a meeting, turn off the phone and rely upon voice mail to take incoming calls.
There may be sometimes when a particular incoming call or message requires an exception, but the vast majority of callers do not require immediate access.
Multi-Tasking - One thing at a time.
reserve multi-tasking for situations and times when it is safe, convenient and appropriate. Approaching a counter to work through a problem with an airline ticket,turn off the phone or its ringer to protect the coming transaction from interruption. One thing at a time. Focus. Efficiency. Manners.
stop other activities such as typing when a call comes through in order to give the caller, full attention. Free of distraction, make the most of the call.

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