I’m becoming
more and more annoyed with people using cell/smartphones at the most
inappropriate times. Recently, I was driving down a two-lane road and
approached a railroad crossing at the top of a hill when an oncoming vehicle was precariously
riding over the center line. As soon as the driver saw me, she swerved back
into her lane, driving with one hand on
the wheel and the other holding her cell phone to her ear. I can not tell you
how often I’ve encountered similar driving experiences, where the driver was
preoccupied with their cellphones. Most
recently, while attending a summer orchestra performance, sitting across the
isle was a person using their iPad/tablet surfing for women’s dresses. After
intermission I had the opportunity to change sections of the amphitheater and
for the second half of the performance, a young lady was viewing what-ever on a
smartphone for the remainder of the performance. Needless to say, the
illumination from both devices was extremely annoying and distracting.
A couple of
days after the concert, I happened to read an article entitled: “Cellphone
Sanity” by Jeff Gelles, a Philadelphia Inquirer Business Columnist. Jeff talks
about how most of us are torn by the communications revolution that offers a
powerful, connected computer in any pocket or purse. Even more than ordinary
cellphones, smartphones have imposed a dramatic change in the rhythms of
everyday life. Or threaten to, unless we resist. That's what drew his eye to a
public-relations pitch. It came courtesy of a Florida
company, CableOrganizer.com, with the title "10 Commandments of Cellphone
Use."
This is a list
of rules to live by in a world of ubiquitous connectivity. We're the bosses of
these things, and we can agree - to the same extent that we accept any common
sense of manners - on limits that preserve our peace, quiet, nonelectronic
connections, and sanity. Here is the
list:
1. Respect
those you're with. Don't check out from live conversation to shoot the
breeze, they say. "If you make social plans with someone, they are the
first priority and deserve your undivided time and attention." Memo to my
family: Dinner at home counts, too.
2. Let voice
mail handle nonurgent calls when appropriate. "Voice mail exists for a
reason." Let it cover calls during parent-teacher conferences, family
meals, and the rest. You get to decide what's urgent, of course. But if
everything qualifies, you're not being sufficiently discriminating, or you need
to de-stress your life.
3. Set a
good example to the younger generation. It's like modeling any polite
behavior or teaching "please" and "thank you," and I don't
disagree - even if I'll have to aim to do better with my grandkids. The problem
is, most adults are still struggling themselves with how to draw these lines.
4. Wait to
text, and save a life (yours). This should be obvious - just like
"Thou shalt not kill," which is exactly what you're risking, along
with your own life.
5. Stash
your cell when dining out. Your fellow restaurant patrons - including those
sharing your table - don't want "to become a captive audience to a third
party cellphone conversation. You can always excuse yourself for a truly urgent
call, but remember Commandment 2.
6. Remember
when "private time" is in order. There are talking places where running
and flushing water are the ordinary background noise, and suggesting you not
add your own soundtrack - especially since you have no idea who's on the other
side of a stall wall.
7. Keep
arguments under wraps. "It's easy to get wrapped up in an argument,
but remember that others can't see or hear the hothead on the other end of the
line." This goes for office cubicles, too.
8. Mind your
manners. Language and stories that others might find offensive are their
concern here, so here is a reasonable rule: "If you wouldn't walk through
a busy public place with a particular word or comment printed on your T-shirt,
don't use it in cellphone conversations when within earshot of strangers."
9. Don't
ignore universal quiet zones. This broadens the "don't add your own
soundtrack" rule of theaters to other places where quiet should reign,
such as houses of worship. "It's imperative to heed the mandate to shut
off cell phones completely." Not only so they don't make a notable sound,
but also so that intrusive screen light does not distract, both of which are
highly disrespectful to those around you.
10. Don't
make service personnel wait. This isn't just disrespectful, though that's
reason enough to pay heed. Restaurateurs have said that the cumulative effect
of cellphone delays is also harming their business. While the waitress waits
for you to finish your call, she can't be waiting on anyone else.
