Why Some People Should Not Be Allowed to Carry Cellphones

As cellphones have evolved over the last couple of decades, so has a code of etiquette surrounding their usage. Unfortunately many people seem oblivious of these unwritten rules so I decided it was time to make an official list. Here are the most annoying cellphone habits.

Answering a Call During a Movie

You get these people wherever you go. They may put their cellphone on silent during a movie, but if it vibrates, they answer it. They may even go out of the cinema to continue the conversation but not before announcing in a loud voice. "I'm watching a movie. Just hold on while I slip out of the cinema."

Talking while Driving

This is a big no-no. It's banned in many parts of the world but some people think they are clever enough to talk and drive, or text and drive. It is a fatal combination.

Talking with a Hands-free Kit so I think they're Talking to Me

Have you ever heard a stranger ask how you are but avoid eye contact with you? Then they may comment on the weather and when you reply, they turn away. This happened to me in the early days of hands-free kits. And the person had the cheek to look annoyed with me.

Showing off the Latest Cellphone

This is a common one. Friends or acquaintances get their hands on the latest piece of cell technology and flash it to all and sundry. The phone is left lying on the table while they chat. They polish it, discuss its virtues and agonise over a slight scratch. No one cares but they still persist in doing this.

Answering a Call During a Conversation

This one really irritates me. I can be having a chat to an old friend in the mall or car park when suddenly her eyes light up. "Excuse me, I must take this call," she says. I stand like an idiot while she rambles on about her day. Then she snaps it shut, smiles at me and says, "I must run. It was great talking to you."

Checking Cellphones Obsessively During a Coffee Date

Other friends have the bad habit of checking their cellphone every few minutes, even if it is displayed on the table like a trophy. "Leave it alone!" I want to scream. "I'm here, live and kicking, trying to have a conversation with you!"

In spite of my woes, I have been guilty of some of the above behavior myself ... and I'm sure most people have. However, I'm hoping to reform my ways and hope the general public will follow in my footsteps. We need to learn that a cellphone is a tool to make our lives easier, not an object to obsess over. Long live cellphone etiquette!