Dear Sparkly,
What are your thoughts on phone (especially cell phone) etiquette?
-Too Connected To Really Connect
Well, Connected, I have a few thoughts. I'll begin by addressing your initial question about land line phones. I remember those days well when there was a phone in our kitchen and if it rang during dinner, you could bet it was a telemarketer, so you didn't even bother picking it up. You had to wait until 10am to call anyone on Saturdays (because most people slept in, unlike me-I was born a morning person), and you couldn't talk on the phone all day, either. I had all my friends' phone numbers memorized, too. The only real place I see land line phones anymore are in offices, but even that is beginning to phase out.
If you do have a phone at home, be sure to also have an answering machine. People may not like leaving a message, but they want to know the option is there. I would also suggest not answering the phone when you have company over. The only real exception is if not all of your guests have arrived and call for directions. Be pleasant, even to that pesky telemarketer, when you answer, and don't just hang up on someone.
As for cell phones, most of the above courtesy rules apply here, as well. Be sure to keep your phone ringer at a reasonable volume when you're in public. If you miss a call, that's okay. But if you take the call don't be obnoxiously loud and bother everyone else. And for goodness sake- do not talk on the phone while using a public restroom! I might come across a little rude, but I can't believe how many times I've stepped into my stall and then had to overhear the conversation of the woman next to me. No one really wants to hear the toilet flushing.
Be sure to turn your phone off, or on a silent setting, when you're at work, a movie theater, or on a date. You can text your friends all about the horrible experience you just had when you retreat to the bathroom halfway through for a few moments of sanity.
Basically, be considerate of others and their time when you have your phone around. I have taken to turning mine off or leaving it in my car when I am around friends, simply so that I can engage with them. I challenge you to turn off your phone when you're with friends and family for the next week and see how it changes your life.
If you have etiquette, shopping or beauty questions, send them my way! sparklyinthecity@gmail.com
What are your thoughts on phone (especially cell phone) etiquette?
-Too Connected To Really Connect
Well, Connected, I have a few thoughts. I'll begin by addressing your initial question about land line phones. I remember those days well when there was a phone in our kitchen and if it rang during dinner, you could bet it was a telemarketer, so you didn't even bother picking it up. You had to wait until 10am to call anyone on Saturdays (because most people slept in, unlike me-I was born a morning person), and you couldn't talk on the phone all day, either. I had all my friends' phone numbers memorized, too. The only real place I see land line phones anymore are in offices, but even that is beginning to phase out.
If you do have a phone at home, be sure to also have an answering machine. People may not like leaving a message, but they want to know the option is there. I would also suggest not answering the phone when you have company over. The only real exception is if not all of your guests have arrived and call for directions. Be pleasant, even to that pesky telemarketer, when you answer, and don't just hang up on someone.
As for cell phones, most of the above courtesy rules apply here, as well. Be sure to keep your phone ringer at a reasonable volume when you're in public. If you miss a call, that's okay. But if you take the call don't be obnoxiously loud and bother everyone else. And for goodness sake- do not talk on the phone while using a public restroom! I might come across a little rude, but I can't believe how many times I've stepped into my stall and then had to overhear the conversation of the woman next to me. No one really wants to hear the toilet flushing.
Be sure to turn your phone off, or on a silent setting, when you're at work, a movie theater, or on a date. You can text your friends all about the horrible experience you just had when you retreat to the bathroom halfway through for a few moments of sanity.
Basically, be considerate of others and their time when you have your phone around. I have taken to turning mine off or leaving it in my car when I am around friends, simply so that I can engage with them. I challenge you to turn off your phone when you're with friends and family for the next week and see how it changes your life.
If you have etiquette, shopping or beauty questions, send them my way! sparklyinthecity@gmail.com
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