Simple Rules of Cell Phone Etiquette

We are now at a point in which society finds is necessary for everyone to possess a cell phone. If one does not possess a cell phone, the face much scrutiny from their un-like-minded friends. This, however, does not mean that we all have to act like complete idiots and forget common decency. There are basic rules regarding cell phone usage, regardless of the large number of people that choose to ignore them.

Cell phone etiquette rule #1: Silence your phone. Anyone with common decency should know to put the phone on silent or vibrate when they go into a public setting, especially a restaurant, library, theatre, or other more family-oriented and/or private setting. No one wants to hear "I'm In Love With A Stripper" or "Glamorous" blaring from the table behind them in a restaurant. Actually, no one even wants to hear a normal phone ringing loudly near them. However, I highly doubt that anyone would mind you answering a call if they never even heard it ring, unless you were talking obnoxiously loud (see rule #2).

Cell phone etiquette rule #2: Use your indoor voice. We all know those people who feel the need to scream into cell phones because the distance or something makes it seems like others cannot hear you. This is not necessary. Your voice is not distorted simply because you are using a cell phone (unless you have a really crappy service provider, anyway), so please don't act like the person on the other line is deaf and you have to talk as loud and slow as you possibly can.

Cell phone etiquette rule #3: Excuse yourself. If you receive a call in which you A) don't want others to hear, B) is business related, or C) is going to take any lengthy amount of time, be kind enough to excuse yourself and relocate elsewhere. Sitting at a table full of people while in the middle of a conversation with someone who is not that is not only going to piss the people that actually are there, but it is also probably going to make you feel a little awkward. That being said, just avoid the whole situation by relocation to a restroom, lounge, or simply outside until you are done the conversation.

Cell phone etiquette rule #4: Limit public texting. Sure, we have all gotten a text with a simple question that will only take a few seconds to answer. By all means, please do answer the text. However, do not have an hour long SMS conversation while you are with someone. Not only is it annoying, but it is rude. How would you like to sit around for an hour with a friend and have your conversation interrupted every three minutes by a text message (not that they were paying attention to it anyway because they spent most of the time having a text conversation and ignoring yours).Cell phone etiquette rule #5: Drive. If you are one of those people who loves to multi-task behind the wheel, STOP! When you are behind the wheel of a car, both hands should be ON THE STEERING WHEEL, and both eyes should be ON THE ROAD, not on your cell phone. Stop texting, stop gabbing, and pay attention. A mother is not going to understand that you hit their child or injured their child in an accident because you were using your cell phone. If it is an emergency, pull over, otherwise it can wait.

These rules are fairly simple and it is not asking too much for people to follow them, however, I'm sure most of the population will continue to be rude and ignorant by doing all of the things mentioned above that they should not. Perhaps we should all just grow up and act older than an eight year old who just got their first cell phone and just follow the rules (or at least display some sort of decency), shall we?